Ecuador Pilot Presentations

Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into Tourism through

the Development and Dissemination of Best Practices.

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Project Goals and Strategy• To address the lack of internationally applicable

ecosystem-specific sustainable tourism best practices.

• Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into tourism in Ecuador to ensure local, national and global environmental benefits

• Target those industry players that most directly control tourism’s impacts on coastal/marine areas and tropical forests.

• Accommodation providers and in-bound tour operators, or the supply side of the tourism industry

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Outcomes of the Project1) Ecosystem-specific best practices for

tourism service suppliers, and business-to-business tools that educate wholesale purchasers on providing market incentives for tourism service suppliers implementing best practices, are locally developed, internationally applicable and regionally endorsed.

2) Broad-based awareness and implementation of best practices is achieved among a target percentage of tour operators and accommodation providers in Ecuador.

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Outcomes of the Project

3) Increased capacity for continuous implementation of sustainable tourism best practices.

4) Lessons/experiences from the project are documented and widely disseminated to facilitate replication.

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Basic Project Information

Geographical Scope:- Mindo- Galápagos

Duration:- Starting: December 2005- Ending: October 2007

Beneficiaries:- Small Hotels- Tour Operators- Small Cruise lines

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Sites• Mindo Chocó• Galapagos Islands

• Regions with extensive biodiversity to protect.• Existing tourism infrastructure with potential for growth.

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Mindo, its richness and tourism• Located in the buffer zone of the Mindo Nambillo protected forest (MNPF)• MNPF one of the last wooded redoubts of the Ecuador• 19200 ha. of protected primary and secondary forest. • 500 varieties of birds• 300 of butterflies• 370 of orchids• Mammals: spectacled bear, ….• Predominates a culture of conservation• Ecotourism is the most important activity.• Ancient livestock pasture converted in restored forest.• 1997 Mindo – First area of importance for birds in America. Birdlife International.

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Galápagos: its richness and Tourism

• For its high grade of endemism in flora and fauna, is one of the most prefered National Parks in the world.

• 19 major islands and more than 200 islets.• 97% of its surface is National Park.• 1979, World Natural Heritage Site, UNESCO• 1985, Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO• 1998, Marine Reserve. 133000km2• 85 % of species of terrestrial birds are endemic • 6 species of mammals are considered to be endemic. • 98% of endemism in reptiles (20 of 22 species)• 27% of endemism for marine birds• 607 species of plants

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

Galápagos: its richness and Tourism

• One of the seven most important areas of the world for scuba diving.

• 84 Cruises

• Tourists in 2005: 108.600

• National economic contribution: USD

• 130.000.000

• Local economic contribution: USD 40.000.000

Pilot operation in Choco-Mindo• Mirador Río Blanco • Hostería la Rinconada de Rolando Vera • Séptimo Paraiso Hostería & Cloud Forest Reserve • Hostería El Encanto • Las Siete Cascadas Lodge • Hostería Pantaví • Kaony Lodge• Maquipucuna • San Miguel• Vía Natura• Nuevo mundo Comunidad• Las tolas Comunidad

• Polylepis Lodge• Runa Tupari • Bellavista • Santa Lucia • Sachatamia Lodge• Reserva Verdecocha • Hostería y Jardín Botánico • Sapos y Ranas• Cascadas de Shishink • Cabañas Armonía • Hostería Mariposas de Mindo • Rancho Suamox • Mindo Garden

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

• Miconia Cabañas

• Casa Blanca

• Hotel Royal Palm

• La Casa de Marita

• Hostal Mainao

• Hotel Finch Bay

• The Red Mangrove Adventure Inn

• Las Gardenias

• Hostal Cormorant

• La Isla del Descanzo

Pilot Operation in Galapagos

MINDO - CHOCO

Polylepis LodgeLocated in the Area of Reduction of the Ecological Reserve of  El Ángel, protecting the 12 only hectares of the only forest remainder in the World of Millennial Polylepis of volcanic and glacial origin.

Type of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, conferences room, trekking, horseback riding, trips.

Lodging: 7 cottages with a capacity for 31 guests.

Runa TupariAuthentic and sustainable rural community tourism , interacting directly with the indigenous communities.

Allow the visitor to experience direct contact with nature, share daily life with local people and have the opportunity to learn from them

Types of services provided: Rural lodge, tours and trekking

Business type: Tour Operator

Operating in: Cantón Cotacachi (Andes, North Region. Imbabura Prov.)

BellavistaLocated in the Tandayapa Valley, the first Area of International Importance for Birds in South America, designated in 1997, with 340 species. With 700 hectares of protected cloud forest and 4 waterfalls on the property.Types of services provided: Accomodation, guided hikes, horseback riding, birdingOperating in: Tandayapa Valley and Eco Route Nono – Mindo (Andes. Northwest of Pichincha)

Santa LuciaIs a community-based organization formed by local campesino families who manage their own resources.We have three basic aims: to conserve and protect the cloud forest belonging to member families. to develop sustainable sources of income for the members of Santa Lucía.to benefit directly or indirectly the residents in neighboring areas. Types of services provided: Accomodation, camp, hiking, BirdingBusiness type: Community-based organizationOperating in: Cloud Forest in Nanegal (Andes. Northwest of Pichincha)

Sachatamia LodgeIs a private ecological reserve exceeding 120 hectares of cloud forest. Crystalline rivers nature paths, pure air, gourmet cousine, and an elegant rustic refuge provide an escape from the stress of urban life.Types of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, hiking, birdingBusiness type: Private ecological reserve.Operating and located in: Mindo (Andes. Northwest of Pichincha)

VerdecochaOn the old road Nono - Mindo, this forest extends from 2200 to 3400 meter above sea level, the Montano alto Forest and the montano forest are the habitats of numerous wild especies. The incredible adventure begins among paths, waterfalls, thermal baths, springs, rivers, trees loaded with abundant moss, orchids, ferns and bromelias.Types of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, horseback riding, llamatreking, mountain bikingBusiness type: Private Reserve.Operating and located in: Mindo (Andes. Northwest of Pichincha)

Sapos y RanasCollections of figurines and sculptures of frogs and toads that add up to more than 200 objects, made of diverse materials and bought from 50 countries, included Ecuador. The Hostel is an Ecoturistic project located in the northwest of Pichincha province at 900 meter above see level.Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, swimming, birding, frog figurine collection, Folkloric elaboration of bread and chocolateBusiness type: Private Hostel.Operating and located in: San Miguel de los Bancos (Andes. Northwest of Pichincha)

Cascadas de ShishinkIt is a natural place of 35 ha. Crossed by the Culebrita river and forming 2 Waterfalls. It can accommodate 80 guests. Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, mountain biking, fishing, hiking.Business type: Private Ecological ReserveOperating and located in: Puerto Quito, Río Culebritas (Northwest of Pichincha)

Cabañas ArmoníaEco-tourism project: cabañas, orchid garden and bird sanctuaryTypes of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, Orchid Garden, birdingBusiness type: Private Ecotourism ProjectOperating and located in: Mindo (Northwest of Pichincha Province)

Mariposas de MindoIs a butterfly- breeding farm dedicated to the exhibition and investigation of butterflies in the northwest part of Ecuador, to complement the exhibition center a small lodge and restaurant was created Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, butterflies, investigation. Business type: Private Hostel Operating and located in: Mindo (Northwest of Pichincha Province)

© CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

The operation is dedicated to conserving nature.

Operating and located in: Pedro Vicente Maldonado in the Northwest of Pichincha Province.

Types of services provided: accommodation, restaurant, hikes, tours in general.

Rancho Suamox

Mindo GardenPrivate reserve of approximately 741 acres, located 90km from Quito. The lodge is beside the Mindo River, it consisting in cabins of single, double and quadruple rooms or family villas equipped for a longer stay. Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, trekking, birding.Business type: Private Reserve Operating and located in: Mindo (Northwest of Pichincha Province)

Hosteria La RinconadaA total o 11 ha. Inside the crater of the Pululahua Volcano, with 7 ha. of Native vegetation that includes interpretive paths. Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, trekking, birding.Business type: Private HostelOperating and located in: Pululahua Crater (Pichincha Province)

Séptimo Paraiso

Hostería & Cloud Forest Reserve Is a 100% ecological country lodge, we are firm believers that recycling must be done. The Hosteria has 22 luxurious rooms with private bathroom, hot water from our own spring with an old elegant country style decoration. The three houses cater for different budgets without losing its first class categoryTypes of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant and bar, tours.Business type: Private HostelOperating and located in: Mindo (Northwest of Pichincha Province)

Las Siete Cascadas 207 hectares of cloud and rain forest, it protects to a set of waterfalls in the river Chuchubi, in addition natural paths exist to enter to see the flora and fauna Types of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, convention room, campingBusiness type: Private Reserve and LodgeOperating and located in: El Guadual (San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas Province)

Hostería PantavíA charming country lodge, located between the Chota valley and Tumbabiro, in a region that still preserved the beauty of the typical rural villages of the Imbabura province. The lodge main house was erected upon the old foundations of the San Clemente hacienda building.Types of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, bar, Convention and game room, Swimming poolBusiness type: Private Hacienda LodgeOperating and located in: Chachimbiro, El Angel, Caranqui, Chota (Tumbabiro Provincia de Imbabura)

Kaony Lodge

Elegant and ecological, Kaony has created for your comfort a lodge constructed with local materials, as result, an exclusive place for youTypes of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, hiking.Business type: Private LodgeOperating and located in: Puerto Quito, Northwest of Pichincha Province

MaquipucunaLocated in the heart of Ecuador’s cloud forest. Just 50 miles northwest of Quito exists the unique opportunity of experiencing exotic species of birds, moths and butterflies, and flowers in bloom such as orchids and bromeliads. Conservation and research efforts, preserve one of the Earth’s most biologically diverse forest networks.Types of services provided: Conservation, accomodation, restaurant, hiking, reserveBusiness type: Private Reserve FoundationOperating and located in: Nanegal(Northwest of Pichincha Province)

GALAPAGOS

Royal Palm Hotel Located in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Authentically constructed of local materials and handcrafted furniture that reflect the environment.Types of services provided: Accommodation, hiking, aquatic sports.Business type: Private HotelOperating and located in: Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos Province)

Hostal Mainao We offer our services personalized to our guests, offering a comfortable housing in order that your vacations and stay in the Enchanted Islands is pleasant and unforgettable. Also we offer services of tourist packages in Santa Cruz and between islands.Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, toursBusiness type: Private HotelOperating and located in: Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island (Galápagos Province)

Finch BayEco-Hotel with International Service Standards 38 rooms, modern design incorporating Galapagos' natural elementsMangrove-rich coastline Bar and Lounge Restaurant featuring International Cuisine Environmental Interpretation with Galapagos Naturalists Location: Puerto Ayora-Santa Cruz-Galápagos Types of services provided: Accomodation, Bar and Lounge, Restaurant, Tours

Red MangroveSituated in a grove of wild red mangrove perched on the edge of the blue see. It can accommodate up to 38 guests in 3 double rooms, 2 triple rooms, 2 rooms for 4 people,2 rooms for 5 people and 1 room for 8 people. The majority of the rooms have ocean views and all of them have private bathrooms.Location: Puerto Ayora-Santa Cruz-GalápagosOperating in: GalapagosTypes of services provided: Accomodation, restaurant, camping, tours

Las GardeniasLocated in a very quiet street, the hotel will be the most appropriate site for your tranquility. You will be able to enjoy the shared room to rest, watch the TV or DVD. A coffee maker, a cooker and all the necessary dishes are available to prepare breakfast or your favorite meals. The Hotel has 3 rooms with private bath (2 double and one triple), and one triple with shared bath. Showers with hot water.Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant, excursions.Business type: Private HotelOperating and located in: Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela (Galápagos Province)

Hostal Cormorant

Located right on the beach of Puerto Villamil. This pension is a two story building with four bedrooms, sitting area and shared kitchen with terrace and hammocks. Discover the magic and charm of a natural treasure. Discover the most beautiful corner of Galapagos on the spectacular beach of Puerto Villamil.Types of services provided: Accommodation, restaurant.Business type: Pension / PrivateOperating and located in: Puerto Villamil, Isla Isabela (Galápagos Province)