So you want to built or operate you own ecolodge? You are not alone!
There are many great reasons for opening and operating an ecolodge. Some owners are nature lovers, some are looking for a better work-life balance, others want to find a way to help the environment and others see it as a good economic investment.
Time then to look at some data. According to the World Tourism Organization, 20% of all international tourism comes from different forms of nature tourism. The ecotourism market is growing faster than the rest of the industry, making building, owning and operating an ecolodge a potentially very good investment, not only for the investor but also for the workers and the local economy.
By definition, an ecolodge or eco hotel is a type of accommodation that is designed to have minimal impact on the natural environment. The principles governing ecolodging have been put in place to support conservation efforts of exotic, unique, and potentially threatened environments and habitats.
Furthermore, eco lodges are designed to offer educational and participatory experiences to the visitors and guests helping them learn how to make more environmentally conscious decisions in their everyday lives.
So keep reading to learn more about how you can built, own and operate an ecolodge.
We have also created a list of the Best Ecolodges in the World for you get inspired. Additionally, you can also read our detailed guide on what an ecolodge is.
Should I invest in ecotourism? Is an ecolodge a good investment?
Well we have some answers for you. Firstly, it really depends on your risk tolerance as an investor. The value of the ecotourism market was at $181.1 billion in 2019, and ecolodges are a very big part of this market. Both experts and operators of the space are confident that the ecotourism industry will continue to grow around the world faster than the rest of the tourism industry.
Experts suggest that the ecotourism market will grow in the next few decades at an average of 10% per year, as nature lovers and hotel guests are increasingly looking for vacations that combine clean air, stunning views, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with nature and the local culture and everyday life of habitat they visit.
Therefore, investing or owning an ecolodge or eco hotel makes both business and environmental sense as guests increasingly search for adventures and tours through sustainable initiatives.
An ecolodge focuses on running the property in an ethical and sustainable way. This includes using renewable energy, recycling bins, sustainable initiatives, and energy efficiency methods in the lodge’s everyday operations. Ecolodges operate like typical hotels for their guests but they put sustainability at the forefront of their aims and aspirations.
The are many types of ec0 lodges and each ecolodge is different, depending on the environmental goals management sets, the location, and the methods of environmental protection.
Here are some things to look for in an ecolodge as a potential owner or investor:
There can be no eco lodge if the location is not a near perfect immersion to the surrounding nature. Ecolodges are defined by their natural locations and their surrounding biodiversity.
According to an Ecolodge Footprint and Justification for Biodiversity Conservation study by the World Bank, Indonesia had the largest concentration of ecolodges (758), followed by Costa Rica (590), Thailand (468), Peru (356), Ecuador (345), Guatemala (322), Mexico (304), Sri Lanka (277) and Tanzania (259).
Choosing the right location for your accommodation requires taking into account a myriad of different factors. For example:
We know…it sounds like a lot. But then again starting any business is. Trust us when we say that it is also one of the best and most rewarding financial and ethical investments you will ever make.
Some ecolodges investors start out at less than $500,000. But realistically, you are looking at an investment of a minimum of $1.5 million.
Typical characteristics of the eco lodge include energy-efficiency lighting and environmentally friendly clean-up equipment. In addition, some Lodges incorporate additional benefits like solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and insulation.
Marketing plays a very big and important part in the tourism industry, perhaps even more so in ecotourism. This is for two very distinct and equally important reasons.
One is that many guests assume that ecolodges are expensive to stay at, and therefore if marketing isn’t done correctly and these assumptions are not challenged, you will be loosing a lot of potential customers. Secondly, ecolodges are usually located in remote destinations and are tacked away from tourist hotspots, so they need more thoughtful promotion.
It is not just building the ecolodge and running it that needs to be sustainable; marketing needs to be undertaken in an ecological, ethical and effective way as well. Marketing a green product means the green ethos starts with your brand and company. Your marketing should be all online, paperless, and without unnecessary transportation movements.
Having the correct permits and paperwork is critically important for the construction and running of an ecolodge. This is not only for the obvious legal reasons, but also to show guests that your lodge is a legitimate ecolodge and fulfills the requirements of a the sustainable ecotourism establishments. Of course, each country has its own property development rules and regulations and therefore, the paperwork and permits required will change from country to country and even among the very regions of τηε σαμε country. Further permits and paperwork might be required if you are inside or near a protected area.
In most cases, you will need a tax identification number and an operating permit. In addition, you may require tourism permits and licenses for food or spa services. Hiring an accountant and lawyer from the local community is a very good idea as is starting to learn some basic phrases of the local language.
One of the main considerations in this whole process is ensuring that your eco lodge is of a high environmental standard (i.e., a low carbon footprint) and is locally sustainable and authentic. Furthermore, because of the potentially impactful nature of the construction of the lodge to the local community, it is always best practice to consult with the locals and authorities on their priorities and requirements for a new ecolodge. Not only does this make the initial stages of development less harmful, but it also creates a better relationship and and sets the foundation of a future cooperation with the local community.
Ecolodges aren’t a one size fits all alternative to mainstream tourism accommodation. Each is unique in their own amazing way from the aesthetics to the ecolodge’s environmental approach, location, activities and souroundings. There are a variety of models that different business owners adopt to suit their own ecolodge model and serve and respect the surrounding natural environment.
These are small lodges, camps, and cabins with limited environmental impact and simplicity. These nature lodges are frequently found in Europe, especially in the Alps.
You might be asking yourself, what are eco resorts, and what is the difference between ecolodges and eco resorts? An eco odge usually has a more intimate atmosphere with the nature around it, while an eco resort follows a slightly different model. Eco resorts are often located near the ocean and usually provide an array of recreational activities. Eco resorts can also provide health, spa, and yoga experiences. Though eco-resorts embrace nature they aren’t fully focused on environmental activities and the local community.
Usually, rural ecolodges and agritourism will operate as a fully functioning ranch or farm that also offers lodging services. These accommodation options are privately owned, but are usually near areas of unique natural beauty or close to nature parks. These types of lodges are popular in places in like Italy and specifically the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Community-based ecolodges are not so widely popular or known, but they offer a community approach to sustainable tourism. The community essentially comes together to build the eco lodge facilities. This approach helps create ecolodges that create a highly rewarding visit and experience for the guests as you fully integrate and interact with the local community.
A Green hotel does not embody the same level of environmental protection that ecolodges do. However, a green hotel definitely offers a step in the right direction in terms of lowering the carbon footprint of the establishment. A Green hotel can be a hotel, inn, campground or lodge that makes a real and honest effort and tries to make its business greener. Usually, the way a hotel becomes greener (a green hotel) is by enrolling in green certification program.
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