CONTENTS
Introduction
Target tourist market
Business model canvas
Principles of eco tourism
Recommendations
Improved Business model Canvas
INTRODUCTION
The Rainforest Eco lodge
Located in 500 acre division of the Enselwatte Tea Estate, Deniyaya in Matara district, bordering in the south eastern side of the Sinharaja rainforest reserve.
‘Beyond beaches to nature, culture and adventure’ program by USAID and The Tourism Cluster (TTC)
Started the constructions in 2009-2011 after a series of protests
In operation from 2012
INTRODUCTION
The Rainforest Eco lodge
Accommodation + Eco tour provider
Based on the eco-tourism in Costa Rica
Consist of 16 chalets -lodging consisting of a bedroom, washroom, living room and private deck
The Eco lodge has been constructed at an investment of US$ 4 million
The staff is 22
TARGET TOURIST MARKET
Mainly targets on foreign customers England Sweden Australia France
Rates (Foreign)
Single Double TripleBed & Breakfast 170.00 205.00 240.00Half Board 189.00 285.00 367.00
Rates (Local) LKR Single Double Triple
17,500.00 24,900.00 33,300.00
US $
PRESENT BUSINESS MODEL
Key partners
Key activities
Key resources
Value propositions
Customer relationships
Channels
Customer segments
Revenue streams
Cost structure
• Tour agencies• Tourists• Suppliers• Local people
as guides and labor
• Accommodation• Trekking• Nature walks• Gardening• Bird watching
Trained professional staffFinancial strength
• Innovative chalets
• Closer to Sinharaja
• ‘Eco friendliness’
• Good staff
• Customer feedbacks
• Website• Social media• International
magazines
• Eco tourists
• Nature lovers
• Tourists
• Buying from suppliers• Salaries• CSR• Advertising
• Utility bills
• Providing accommodations
• Trekking and nature walks
PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM
Minimize impact.
Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.
Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.
IMPACT MINIMIZATION
Chalets made out of used shipping containers
Furnished with bamboo walling
Used railway sleepers are using for the flooring
Implementation of a Storm water Management Plan
100% Reduction of Potable Water use for sewage conveyance through the use of harvested rainwater
On-Site Renewable Energy
IMPACT MINIMIZATION
Use of construction materials with recycled content
Use of Locally Available Construction Materials
Natural Ventilation
Adoption of No-Smoking Policy
Daylight and Views
Installation and commissioning Waste water treatment plant by PROMET ltd.
HVAC Systems and Building Envelope meets ASHRAE Standard 55-2004
IMPACT MINIMIZATION
Environmentalists oppose the Rainforest Eco lodge due to the potential threat to the Sinharaja Forest reserve
The lodge uses plastic containers to serve soap and some beverages
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
On Tourists An expedition through the rainforest through six
different trails.Arboretum TrailWaterfall TrailNight TrailBirdwatching TrailMain TrailKurulugala kande trail
Protecting their privacy & freedom.
Dive into beautiful Waterfalls
Trekking and professional nature interpretation service and the interpretation center
POSITIVE EXPERIENCES
Bird Watching
Urocissa ornata Megalaima flavifrons
Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus
Gallus lafayettiiTurdoides subrufa
CONSERVATION
There is no specific conservation project conducted by the Eco-lodge
Minimizing environmental impacts is the main objective
Organic garden is maintained in order to obtain vegetables and green leaves while conserving the soil and water
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Spent Rs. 30 million in building housing for the estate community
A community center and a school was also established
Out of 22, 16 staff members are from the Deniyaya environs
People doing the treks are mostly from the village
AWARDS
Awarded the 'LEEDS PLATINUM for Sustainable Tourism' through Eco Management, as the 1st in Sri Lanka, 5th in the world and 4th in Asia to be crowned with this award.
Selected as the best Eco lodge in 2013 by Wildforest foundation
Winner of Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards 2014 under countryside: Alpine tourism, scenic mountains, forests category
RECOMMENDATIONS
For the Rainforest Eco lodge
Utmost care should be taken in operations as the lodge is located in an area with rich-biodiversity
More attention should be given for conservation activities
Use Eco-friendly packages/wrappings
Naturally prevent mosquitos and mice to ensure the hygiene and safety
Educate the visitors more about the Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Nature walks should be organized for small groups
RECOMMENDATIONS
Government intervention for a better ecotourism industry is required
The National Environment Act (No. 47, 1980) provides legal regulations for only mass tourism activities and small-scale tourism activities not Eco tourism activities
Forest department and DWLC should take relevant steps to avoid the exploitation of natural resources for the private uses
The conservation of the forest resources by the eco lodge provider should be monitored by a responsible institution
Activities of eco tourism agencies should be also monitored by the government
Establishment of a certification program for forest-based ecotourism
For the Government
IMPROVED BUSINESS MODEL
• Conservation
• Government
Forest canopy walk
• Improve the hygienic conditions
REFERENCES
Contact Person
Ms. Nathasha Liyanage Marketing Assistant Rainforest Ecolodge (Pvt) Ltd
http://rainforest-ecolodge.org/ Mihiri Wikramanayake, Bewildering Wilderness,
http://livingcolomboguide.lmd.lk/2013/10/rainforest-ecolodge-2/ as at 2333 on 03.11.2014
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1010261-d3374573-Reviews-Rainforest_Ecolodge-Deniyaya_Southern_Province.html
Kanchana Wickremasinghe, Forest Attraction: Can Sri Lanka use Ecotourism for Sustainable Forest Management?(Feb 2014), http://www.dailymirror.lk/business/features/43012-forest-attraction-can-sri-lanka-use-ecotourism-for-sustainable-forest-management.html as at 2336 on 03.11.2014
Palayangoda, LI; Fernando, P, Solar and wind powered hybrid air-conditioner for a rainforest eco lodge (2013) http://dl.lib.mrt.ac.lk/handle/123/9301 as at 2336 on 03.11.2014