The Green Journey

Travel with a difference – sustainable choices in Asia

Posted by deborahchan on Nov 4, 2010

Holidays are round the corner! If you’re planning for a holiday get-a-way and looking for something different other than the usual fare, why not consider spending your time and money with operators who are committed to environmental sustainability and social responsibility?

If you are one of these travelers, looking for a different experience, look no further because Wild Asia (WA) has chosen some of the best destinations in Asia for the annual Responsible Tourism (RT) Awards. After months of short-listing the finalists and making site visits to the final six properties and tour operators, Wild Asia has finally selected its 2010 RT Awards winners.

Now in their fifth year, the Awards are part of Wild Asia’s Responsible Tourism Initiative to promote sustainable practices through tourism. With one billion tourists expected to hit the road by 2010, the tourism industry’s impact on environment and communities throughout the world is immense. This is where the RT Awards come in. The Awards showcase exemplary resorts, hotels and tour operator ventures that are committed to sustainable practices.

“The purpose of the Awards is not to give out ‘gold stars’ to candidates each year. Our intent is to share the best practices of responsible operators to a broader audience and seek out new operators engaging in innovative programmes,” says Dr Reza Azmi, Wild Asia founder and director.

This year’s awards attracted a larger and more diverse number of participants spanning all across the Asian region, from India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and all the way to China, Philippines, and even Irian Jaya in Indonesia.

“We received a selection of high quality checklists and this proves to show that the network and awareness of Responsible Tourism is building up. Travel operators from around the region are truly striving to make a difference for a better and greener future,” says Deborah Chan, Wild Asia’s Programme Manager.

Every year the WA judging panel reviews submitted checklists (based on the UNWTO Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria) from operators throughout Asia. Two finalists for each category are shortlisted based on some of the following criteria:

• Sense of place – whether tourists understand their destinations in terms of the cultural and ecological context better through the operators’ efforts.
• Sustainability – whether these RT efforts are long-term.
• Involvement of guests – how much does the operators involve their guests in their RT practices?
• Internalisation – how much is sustainability part of the day-to-day operations?
• Reach – how far are these ideas and practices shared across the destination or even the industry?
• Continual Improvement – how do the operators strive to improve their RT efforts?

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

Heritance Kandalama has a unique architectural design which blends the hotel into the natural surroundings and maximizes natural light in order to reduce energy use. The entire hotel is built on a raised platform allowing water to flow under the hotel. It also allows the free flow of wildlife under the hotel, leaving minimum impact on the eco system.

Situated in Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle’s heartland, Heritance Kandalama is flanked by two UNESCO world heritage sites – the 1st Century BC Dambulla Cave Temple and the 5th Century AD Sigiriya Rock Fortress. The hotel is surrounded by rocky outcrops, lush forests, and overlooks the glistening Kandalama Tank. This sanctuary is teeming with biodiversity and wildlife.

For avid bird lovers and take morning walks for bird watching or visit an ancient village, Puranagama to have lunch with the locals and experience authentic village life. For more exquisite taste to your palettes, try traditional Sri Lankan dining in a cave or at an organic farm.

Sarinbuana Ecolodge, Bali, Indonesia

Nestled in the rainforest of Mount Batukaru, in the northwest region of Bali, Sarinbuana Ecolodge offers a welcomed escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist track, and a refreshing experience that most people do not feel when visiting this island. Sarinbuana Ecolodge, which was started ten years ago, is run by Linda and Norm vant Hoff and their extended Balinese family. The eco lodge demonstrates a clear and committed practice of responsible tourism in every aspect of its operation.
Although a small lodge, with only 4 villas, Sarinbuana Ecolodge has had an enormous positive impact on the local village. Since the arrival to the Sarinbuana village, the vant Hoff family has dedicated themselves to improving local livelihoods, establishing a good relationship with the community, and learning the local language and culture in order to truly integrate with the local community.

At Sarinbuana Ecolodge, one can embrace the cool mountain breezes, lush tropical rainforests, rich Balinese culture, and appreciate life at its purest. The eco lodge operates in a truly holistic manner, exemplifies sustainability environmentally, economically and socially, and provides comfortable and pristine surroundings for true peace of mind.

Andaman Discoveries, Phang Nga, Thailand

Andaman Discoveries (AD) previously known as North Andaman Tsunami Relief (NATR) stemmed from tsunami relief pioneered by Bodhi Garrett to serve communities he had lived with and respected. After the initial rebuilding of homes through community-driven tsunami relief, it soon progressed into long-term post-tsunami development programs. Participatory workshops and community meetings sparked the idea of potential tourism as a means of economic renewal. Villagers wanted to welcome tourists in a way that will not bring negative and harmful impacts like that of mass tourism.

The idea was to maximize and utilize local knowledge and local people as a means of tourism. Villagers return empowered to set up home-stays and design a holiday experience for guests.

Now, guests can choose from six villages to stay in – mostly fishermen communities. Accommodation is simple and clean often with a fan, mattress and mosquito net for a good night rest. Guests are assigned to different host families whom they will spend their time with. Often times, guests leave with great memories of relationships being made. Some even stay to volunteer.

For more information and to watch videos of these amazing places, got to Wild Asia or WARTA NEWS

Aviation and the environment

Posted by JLow on May 30, 2010

Recently we were selected and invited by the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, to participate in their Aviation and the Impact on the Environment theme.

They have designed a range of new engines called PurePower, which saves fuel by being lighter, more fuel efficient, quieter, and cleaner emissions.

More details to follow; just wanted to share some of the photos from our visit to Pratt and Whitney the engine manufacturer; as one of the people and places on the program’s agenda.

Green Luxury

Posted by deborahchan on Apr 27, 2010

In an era where everyone brazenly hitches a ride on the green bandwagon, the folks behind Nikoi Island are an aberration. When I asked Andrew Dixon, one of Nikoi’s founders, about the resort’s eco-friendly approaches, he says, “We take sustainable tourism seriously but avoid labelling or marketing ourselves as such.” Dixon thinks, and rightly so, that these green labels have been bandied about by too many hoteliers who don’t do much beyond asking guests to reuse towels or changing light bulbs.

To find out for myself, I took a ferry to Bintan Island, Indonesia, from Singapore’s Tanah Merah terminal. From the fishing village of Kawal, I boarded a boat to “Eden”, and in less than three hours I was on the island, a world away from bustling Singapore. A white sandy beach fringed by sparkling azure waters and a row of rustic thatched bungalows peeking out from a lush green forest greeted us in Nikoi. Wide grins on their faces, the resort staff scampered out to the arriving guests – yours truly and an American couple, Lara and Nick, who were on the same boat. Read more of this article…

Wild Asia

Christmas Island: Nature’s Oceanic Oasis

Posted by deborahchan on Apr 19, 2010

In the deep blue of the Indian Ocean, Christmas Island emerges as an oceanic oasis set amid a liquid, not desert, landscape. Located 200 km south of Java and over 2000 km from Perth, this remote dot in the sea sits on the geographical fringes of Asia and Australia. The island remained unsettled until the late 1800s, its rugged coastline fortressed by steep limestone cliffs serving as natural barriers against occupation.

This isolation gives Christmas Island its distinct character. Only a limited number of plants and animals managed to overcome the distance between the island and other landmasses. And only a few visitors – less than 1000 – find their way each year to this unique haven to discover its restricted but amazing natural diversity. Read more of this article…

Wild Asia

Ecolodge In Our Backyard

Posted by deborahchan on Dec 2, 2009

High above us, two Orang Utan are perched on the tree branches, munching happily on figs. A monitor lizard darts off as our boat approaches while an Oriental Darter swooshes across the water.

Through our binoculars, we spot a pair of Black-and-red Broadbills with their crimson and black plumage and turquoise beaks. Hoot, hoot, hoot…the Bornean gibbons cry out in the distance. The mist lifts up slowly, unveiling a theatrical wildlife “stage” as our boat glides across the Menanggul tributary of the Kinabatangan River. Read more of this article…

Wild Asia

Reef Rescue

Posted by deborahchan on Oct 14, 2009

Time and time again, we read articles on the problems plaguing our diverse marine life – overfishing, global warming, blasting, unchecked tourism, pollution, etc. Coral reefs around the world have been in crisis for some time now.

But is anyone listening?

The statistics are alarming with 30% of the world’s coral reefs severely threatened, 15% lost over the last decade, and many fish stocks becoming extinct. The first step towards a solution?

Reef check surveys. Read more of this article…

Wild Asia

Under the spell of Kangchendzonga

Posted by deborahchan on Oct 14, 2009

From lush tropical forest, postcard-pretty trails to snow-capped peaks, Sikkim has it all. Little wonder, the natives call their home the ‘earthly paradise’.

When I told friends and family that I was going to Sikkim, the response was, “Huh? Where on earth is Sikkim?” Well, it’s in India and it is also part of the Indian Himalayas.

Most people associate the Himalayas with Nepal. But the Great Himalayan Range actually stretches from Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat (8125m) in the west, across Nepal, and over 2000km to the peaks framing Sikkim and Bhutan in the east. Read more of this article…

Wild Asia