The Earth urgently calls us to take care of it, and we respond to this call by implementing concrete conservation actions through tourism.
At Casa Divina Eco Lodge and SabinaTour Operator we are aware of the economic, social and environmental impact that tourism generates, now and for the future. We believe that sustainable tourism can contribute to the conservation and restoration of natural areas, to mitigate the consequences of climate change.
Since the founding of our companies, we have been committed to caring for the environment through sustainable practices. In 2016, we achieved the international TourCert certification for those who meet high standards of good practices of corporate social responsibility and environmental sustainability. Since then, we have actively maintained our certification, thanks to which we are constantly improving and evaluating our ways of doing tourism and managing our companies.
Some of the actions seen in our daily activities are:
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Cloud forest recovery
Among the actions in favor of the climate that we have adopted since the beginning, is the effort to recover the native cloud forest. We currently have more than 12,3 acres of private reserve, where our cabins are located.
Here we have planted —and continue to plant— a diversity of native trees, plants and flowers. Thanks to this recovery that began in 2000, this cloud forest now receives some species of mammals such as the “olinguito” (Bassaricyon neblina), the white-fronted capuchin monkeys (Cebus albifrons) that are in critical condition, deers, rodents such as the agouti, among others.
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Waste reduction and composting
Most of the waste we produce is processed at the Lodge. For example, everything we generate in the preparation of food, we take it to a compost bin and, after a few months, we obtain compost that we use in our plants. Likewise, processed food waste gets handed over to a local farm where it becomes food for pigs. Also, we cook our meals according to our occupancy level, so as to ensure guest satisfaction while making balanced use of resources and reducing food waste.
Glass, plastics, paper and metals are taken to a recycling site. We avoid single-use containers, selling only beverages in returnable or recyclable containers, and offer unlimited drinking water for our guests to refill their own bottles.
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Emission reduction
All of the Casa Divina staff lives in the town of Mindo, located two kilometers from the Lodge, so our commute is short and done with local resources. This means less gas emissions and strengthens the economy of our small town.
Some members of our team even arrive on foot or by bicycle to complete their workday and, whenever possible, we encourage our guests to travel on foot to visit nearby tourist attractions. In addition, by sourcing much of our produce from local or regional suppliers, the carbon footprint of our business is significantly reduced.
Casa Divina Eco Lodge is increasingly committed to the fight against climate change. We support the global trend of tourism that shares the principles of sustainability in environmental, economic and socio-cultural aspects, and seeks an appropriate balance between these three dimensions to ensure its long-term positive impact.
Several global tourism organizations have signed and continue to sign the Glasgow Declaration, led by the World Tourism Organization. It seeks to accelerate climate action in tourism and to achieve firm commitments to support global targets to halve emissions in the next decade.
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Sustainable Development Goals
In addition, sustainable tourism is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals established by the UN in 2015 with the aim of eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity for all as part of a strategy to be achieved by 2030.
Travel is closely linked to the environment, therefore its protection represents direct benefits. The climate crisis linked to problems such as landslides from heavy rains, directly affects destinations, vacation seasons and landscapes. Therefore, sustainability of landscapes, their resources and environmental services is considered essential.
Tourism can become a powerful tool in the fight against climate change by contributing to conservation through, for example, the promotion and support of conservation activities linked to research.
The goal is not to stop traveling, but to travel sustainably, consciously and leave a positive footprint for our planet. We can choose destinations and establishments that are clear about their responsibility towards conservation and follow up with concrete actions. Like Cuenca, a city in southern Ecuador, which was recently recognized for its commitment to environmental protection, or the sustainable community of Yunguilla, located in the Andean Choco Cloud Forest, which practices community-based tourism. We can also get involved in research projects that seek to care for certain habitats and thus conserve a tourist destination.
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Donate to conservation organizations in the area where you are going to visit
Here in Mindo, Casa Divina and SabinaTour regularly donate money and time to the following organizations, we believe it is important to maintain close relationships with local organizations that are working to make a change:
SALEM International https://salem-ecuador.org
Mindo Cloud Forest Foundation https://mindocloudforest.org/
Fundación Imaymana https://fundacionimaymana.org/
Jocotoco Foundation https://www.jocotoco.org.ec/
Author: Lucila Donoso