By Alex Narracott, Managing Director, Much Better Adventures
Ever wondered what it’s like to take the plunge and set up your own eco-lodge? We talked to Earl, one of the co-owners of El Coco Lodge in northern Nicaragua to discover the reality behind that dream. El Coco Loco was a pipeline dream for three Canadians – Ben, Earl and Jamie – for 3 years, and finally opened its doors in January 2010. The lodge has been fast growing a reputation as one of the new breed adventure choices.

Pack for a Purpose™ is a newly founded non-profit organization dedicated to providing needed educational materials and medical supplies to children around the world. The organization was founded on the principal that every little bit helps, and all it takes to get involved is to use a small amount space in your luggage for supplies when packing for a trip abroad. The concept is simple, and getting involved is easy.

By Rafael Gallo, Co-Founder, Rios Tropicales – In 1985 Jimmy, Fernando and I started Rios Tropicales because we loved running rivers, we knew our small country of Costa Rica had some of the world’s best paddling in the world, and we wanted to share these rivers with others. It was natural to us to protect the rivers we were running, help the communities we were visiting and train fellow Costa Ricans to do what we were doing. From our years of international paddling experience we knew guide school best practices and started our own guide school right away.

The Manu National Park is one of the most pristine natural areas in the world with extraordinary biodiversity. The park’s over 1,700,000 hectors, between 492 and 13,779 ft in altitude, of amazing natural environments range from Andean grasslands to cloud forests to foothill and lowland forests. The park is home to an unrivalled variety of animal and plant species, with over 1,000 species of birds and 200 species of mammals, including endangered species such as the harpy eagle, jaguar, and giant river otters.

As disparate as the subjects of tourism and biophilia would seem, it is apparent that in my life and countless others, they are indeed closely connected. Biophilia is a term created by my environmental hero, Edward O. Wilson, to describe the innate affinity, fascination, and awe that we humans have for other species. Judging from the rates that we visit our zoos and wildlife parks, it must be a common affliction. Yet today, many of us spend our vacations traveling to natural environments not knowing the effect tourism has on the habitats of the very species we set out to see.

An important aspect of Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge’s environment policy is to involve the local community in ecotourism projects. All the employees come from local villages, and are trained in sustainable living. Guests will have various opportunities to experience the local community first hand through community-based ecotourism activities showcasing environmentally sound practices, as well as providing options to get involved in various local community projects. Among the many sustainability initiatives by Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge is the Dominica International EcoFest

Lapa Rips Ecolodge has received many major awards and recognitions – including National Geographic Adventure’s “50 Top Ecolodges: The Most Earth-Friendly Retreats in the World’s Most Spectacular Wilds” in 2009 and Conde Naste Traveler’s “Gold List” in 2008 and 2009. A recent addition to Lapa Rios Ecolodge’s inspiring achievements is the 2009 Coastal Living Awards (Tourism category). The Coastal Living Awards honor those working to protect and preserve coastal environments and coastlines for generations to come.

“If you want to see the Amazon first hand, if you want to support local communities in their efforts to preserve the rainforest and all of its treasures and you want to keep your footprint barely visible then look no further than the Cristalino Jungle Lodge. For over 16 years, Vitoria Da Riva Carvalho and her crew have managed to make an almost entirely self-sustainable resort that is single-handedly responsible for preserving over 200,000 hectares (and counting) of rainforest.”

A recent article in Tico Times, “Grim Tourism Outlook Has Silver Lining,” discusses the impact of the global economic downturn on tourism in Costa Rica, noting that “the economic crisis presents an opportunity for the [tourism] sector to reinvent itself” and “to ensure future development in Costa Rica shares the vision of sustainability.” If handled effectively, the crisis can be an opportunity for fostering sustainable growth of Costa Rica as an ecotourism destination, concludes the report by a local tourism consulting group.

Surama Eco-Lodge of Guyana was recognized and honored at the U.S. Educational Travel Conference (ETC), which took place in New Orleans, Louisiana from February 18-21. As the Responsible Tourism Showcase Honoree for 2009, Surama received recognition at the Opening Plenary session as well as press and visibility at the conference. Surama Eco-lodge also received a monetary award and will be recognized and featured on the ETC website and in outreach programs throughout 2009.