Introduction
As focus shifts to environmental friendly businesses, its important that everyone adopts the technologies and practices that have minimal negative impact on the environment. The tourism industry has been cited as one of those where environmental degradation is high (Fennell, 2007).
Given that a lot of tourism has to do with direct contact with the environment, it is therefore necessary to look for ways to minimize the damage that results from them. Big companies that operate hotel chains and other amenities that support tourism are the culprits. Eco tourism therefore aims at combating this problem while preserving the traditional meaning of tourism (Zeppel, 2006).
The concept will involve the surrounding communities where tourist attractions like wildlife are found. Instead of lodging in big resorts built in delicate ecological areas, tourists will be hosted in the communities round the attractions centers. The community will only collect a goodwill fee from the visitors, which will be geared towards preserving the environment.
Facts about ecotourism
According to the International Ecotourism Society (TIES) (2011), eco-tourists accounted for over 20% of international travel by the year 2000. TIES further says that an eco tourist pays on average $1200 more than the regular tourist in a trip. The above facts clearly point to the viability of the business model and they are a sure indicator of its growth and benefits.
Objectives
The objectives of the Amazon Resort will include:
- Maintaining the natural ecology of the Amazon Providing visitors with service worth their fee
- Mission
The mission of the Amazon Eco Resort will be to offer eco friendly services to visitors to ensure economic development of the surrounding community and preservation of the ecosystem.
Business Summary
The Amazon Eco Resort will be a virtual resort that will comprise tens of residential units owned by the local community. The residential units will be in use by the residents but special accommodation for visitors will be prioritized. The families will host the visitors and the visitors will immerse themselves in the community and live like the locals.
Business Ownership
The business will be owned by the Amazon community on whose land these residential units will be built.
Business location and facilities
The business will be located on the Brazil Amazon with all the facilities needed for a comfortable stay. A new whether road has already been constructed by the community to be used by the visitors.
Products
The Amazon Eco Resort will offer a variety of services including sight seeing, hiking, bird watching, and recreational study for scientists who would like to study about the Amazon environment and the way of life of the Amazon people.
Business time
The business will be open through out. The locals will receive visitors all year round. The visits to the virtual resort will be pre arranged to avoid any hiccups that may arise.
Viability
A research done before the planning of the business commenced, showed that over 70% of people interviewed favored this type of travel to the traditional tourism. Many people are willing to pay more to experience ecotourism (Kunkel, 2008).
Amazon and the African Savanna were cited as the most preferred ecotourism destinations. The authorities in Brazil have already given approval for the commencement of the project and have the investors.
References
Fennell, A. (2007).Ecotourism. New York: Routledge.
Kunkel, M. (2008). Ecotourism in Brazil – Case Study of the Legal Amazon. Norderstedt: GRIN Verlag.
The International Eco-Tourism Society (TIES). (2011). Driving change in Global Tourism. Web.
Zeppel, H. (2006). Indigenous ecotourism: sustainable development and management. London: CAB International.