The island of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is an ecotourist's Caribbean dream. And Rosalie Bay Resort -- the only Green Globe certified hotel on the island – was founded by an entrepreneur and nature lover who is determined to keep it that way. We spoke with the resort's founder and owner Beverly Deikel to learn more about Rosalie Bay's exuberant location and her efforts to conserve the environment, including endangered species like sea turtles.

Question: What kinds of wildlife can guests expect to see at your resort?

Deikel: Three species of endangered sea turtles nest on our protected black sand beach each year between March and October. Giant leatherback sea turtles, which can weigh upwards of 800 pounds, are spotted the most frequently, followed by green and hawksbill turtles.

There are also many types of birds, several types of lizards, crabs, iguanas, butterflies, and native plants found throughout the property.  At night, music from the crickets and frogs, along with the sea breezes rustling the palm trees, will lull you to sleep.

Q: What are you doing to conserve your sea turtle nesting beaches?

Deikel: Our conservation efforts began more than 12 years ago, shortly after purchasing the property. We were excited to discover turtles nesting on our beach, but then found out that they were being illegally poached--at the time, a common practice on the island.

I wanted Rosalie Bay to be "turtle-friendly" and inspire Dominicans and visitors to conserve these species. My goal was to aid the recovery of sea turtles in Dominica and throughout the Caribbean. In 2003, I began a partnership with the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) to develop a conservation program at Rosalie Bay. Originally called the Rosalie Sea Turtle Initiative (ROSTI), the program marked the first research and conservation initiative for endangered sea turtles on Dominica, and we worked closely with the national government. Program activities included collecting data on nesting sea turtles, educating adults and children in the community regarding the endangered status of the creatures, organizing programs to engage the community in beach clean-ups and sea turtle youth camps, establishing a national sea turtle hotline, and removing artificial lighting along the shores.

I am extremely proud that the conservation work that started at Rosalie Bay quickly spread into a nationwide effort.

When ROSTI began, there were only seven leatherback turtle nests at Rosalie Bay. In the past few years, there have been close to 70 nests each year!

Q: What an amazing accomplishment, congratulations! Can your guests get involved with sea turtle conservation as well?

Deikel: During turtle nesting season, guests can help patrol the beach to protect nesting turtles and aid researchers in collecting data or relocating nests that are too close to the ocean to the turtle hatchery. They can also be "on call" to help hatching baby sea turtles make their way out to sea.

Q: Where on the island is Rosalie Bay Resort located?

Deikel: We're perfectly situated on a 22-acre property bordered by two coastlines, where the Rosalie River meets the Caribbean Sea. We're located right at the edge of Morne Trois Pitons, a UNESCO World Heritage site with the richest biodiversity in the Lesser Antilles. Morne Trois Pitons National Park has everything: rainforests, volcanic landscapes, fumaroles (geysers), hot springs, and waterfalls. The park is also home to the famous Boiling Lake, a bubbling hot lake that's an adventurous eight-mile hike from the nearest road, and Emerald Pool, a picturesque waterfall and grotto.

Q: How does Rosalie Bay conserve energy and natural resources?

Deikel: Most of our electricity is renewably sourced. We have a 225-kW wind turbine--the first on Dominica and largest in the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean--as well as more than 200 solar panels.

Water, which is sourced from nearby natural springs, goes through a UV-filtration system before use and is heated with solar panels. An environmentally-friendly waste management system is used to ensure that nothing pollutes the nearby river.  

In addition, our cottage accommodations were constructed to maximize energy efficiency by using stucco walls, cool tile or poured concrete flooring, soundproof and energy-efficient windows, and French doors that keep the buildings cool with minimal use of (or even without) air conditioning.

Q: What can your guests do to learn about local culture and customs?

Deikel: Our staff, which is 97% Dominican and primarily from the nearby village, enjoy conversing with guests and sharing their local culture and customs. In addition, we offer many scheduled tours to experience Dominica, called the "Nature Island" – including hiking some of the hundreds of miles of trails on the island, visiting the market in Roseau, soaking in a sulfur hot spring, meeting the local Kalinago people, and snorkeling at the famous Champagne Reef. Our front desk staff is happy to make recommendations and arrange private tours based on guests' interests, such as meeting with local artists.

Q: When Rosalie Bay Resort opened, how did you involve the local community?

Deikel: Rosalie Bay Resort was a ten-year labor of love for me and my partner Oscar. The land was undeveloped when we purchased it.

The local community was very much involved in the creation of the resort. When the local people heard that we would be building a resort and have jobs available, there was a line at our gates. Rosalie Bay provided, and continues to provide, a source of training and employment for local communities that were negatively impacted by the decline in the banana industry.

Oscar trained many local young men in construction trades because many had wanted to work, but didn't possess the skills they needed. Some of them also received training for new roles once the resort opened and still work with us to this day.

Q: Did you use local and sustainable materials when you built the hotel?

Deikel: All of the work was done by hand, meaning no heavy machinery was brought in. Locals hand carved the resort's hardwood furniture, created with wood found on Dominica. Most of the materials we sourced were local and renewable.

River stone found on the property was used for the walking paths, walls, and patio surrounding the pool. The furniture on the verandas is made from recycled milk jugs and the tiles used as flooring and on the walls in the bathrooms are made from recycled tiles.

In addition, the artwork displayed in our accommodations and facilities were created by local artists, whose work is also available for sale in the gift shop.

Q: How do you support the local community?

Deikel: In addition to employing local people, we support the local youth cricket team. We also celebrate Earth Day each year with a community project involving our staff, their families, and local youth and adults. This year, we organized a large tree planting event in conjunction with the government's One Million Hour Tree Planting project.  During the holidays, we host a Christmas party for approximately 50 local underprivileged children and provide a fun afternoon with games, refreshments, gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus.

I have also been supporting several organizations since my early days visiting Dominica. Those include Church on the Way and Feed My Sheep, which work with children and the elderly on different sides of the country, the Grotto Home for the elderly and homeless, and Operation Youth Quake, which was formed after Hurricane David practically destroyed the island to provide food and counsel to homeless and troubled youth.

Q: Why are sustainable practices so important for your hotel?

Deikel: I believe that we have a responsibility to use natural resources in a way that protects the local environment and improves the well-being of local residents. Our mission at Rosalie Bay is to showcase the beauty of Dominica to visitors by developing a world-class nature resort, to protect the local environment, and to empower local residents by boosting their livelihoods.

Q: Of all of the hotels on Dominica, what makes Rosalie Bay Resort special?

Deikel: Our location. It is truly beautiful and surrounded by nature. It's what attracted me to purchase the property in the first place, and guests seem to love it as much as we do. Rosalie Bay is a place that you can relax, tune out the busy world, and tune in to nature – without having to sacrifice on conveniences.

This entry was posted on July 31, 2013 at 2:12 PM and has received 845 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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The beauty of the colorful and stunning scarlet macaws (Ara macao) is such that even the Maya and the Aztecs equated them with the deities of fire and sun. These ancient peoples used their image in various artistic works and adorned themselves with the macaw's striking feathers.

Unfortunately, the scarlet macaw's beauty has now put it in danger. They live in tropical rainforests from southeastern Mexico to central Bolivia, and in many countries they are endangered due to the loss of their habitat from deforestation and indiscriminate hunting for the illegal pet trade.

This photo is from a tour with Costa Rican Trails. Around 1,000 scarlet macaws live in Costa Rica today, and there are many protected areas and organizations dedicated to their protection. Be sure to always book your trips with sustainable tourism businesses so you can rest easy, knowing that you're contributing to the conservation of these and other beautiful wildlife species!

This entry was posted on July 26, 2013 at 1:37 PM and has received 671 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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The Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of volcanic islands located 656 miles off the coast of Ecuador, are famous for their stunning and well preserved natural beauty, including a large number of endemic species that are some of the world's most exotic animals.

Today we present five of the most famous animals that are unique to the Galapagos:

1. Giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)

These are the largest turtles in the world and among the longest living. The largest Galapagos giant tortoise measured almost 6 feet and weight over 880 lbs. They can live over 100 years in the wild while captive individuals have been known to reach 170 years. Today there are only 11 kinds of giant tortoise in the Galapagos, down from 15 when Darwin arrived, and about 15,000 individuals total. All are threatened with extinction. One interesting fact: these huge, peaceful creatures can rest for up to 16 hours per day.

2. Marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)

The Galapagos is home to the only marine iguana in the world! These curious animals live on land but feed on a wide variety of algae on rocks in the sea, either skimming near the surface or diving more than 30 feet (9 m) deep. They can remain underwater for up to 45 minutes, until their body can no longer withstand the cold temperature. It is said that these animals are an excellent example of adaptation. When algae are scarce, they have been seen eating crustaceans, grasshopers, and even terrestrial plants. When even those foods are hard to find, like during severe weather events associated with El Niño, the marine iguanas become thinner and shorter. Marine iguanas have an exotic Jurassic appearance. Males are about 4-5 feet long and females about 2 feet. According to the IUCN, the population of Galapagos marine iguanas consists of approximately 50,000 individuals and is threatened by pollution and predation by exotic species on the islands.

3. Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)

These penguins are the only wild endemic species that live north of the Equator in the Galapagos. They are descendants of a small group of extinct Humboldt penguins that scientists believe were carried to the Islands by the Humboldt Current, which originates in Antarctica and flows north along the west coast of South America from the southern tip of Chile to northern Peru. Unlike other penguins, they can have up to three breeding periods per year, thanks to abundant food (fish and crustaceans) in the islands. They usually lay two eggs and incubate them for about 40 days. Approximately 1,000 individuals of this species live on the islands and they are classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The Galapagos penguin is the world's third smallest penguin at only 20 inches tall approximately. In Spanish, they are called pájaro bobo, which means "silly bird."

4. Flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi)

Also called the flightless cormorant of the Galapagos, this large endemic bird is unique because it is the only cormorant that has lost the ability to fly. These birds evolved in an isolated island environment that was free of predators. By gradual evolution, they felt no need to fly and eventually lost their flight. Their wings became greatly reduced, measuring only one-third of the area that would be necessary for a bird of its size to fly. These birds live on the rocky shores of the volcanic islands they inhabit, where they fish for eels, small octopuses, fish, and other aquatic creatures. Their population is estimated at around 900 individuals.

5. Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaecki)

These sea lions are among the largest animals of the Galapagos. They can weigh up to 550 lbs! They are a favorite among tourists, who see them lying on rocks, piers, and even benches near the beaches. Galapagos sea lions are very friendly, and it is safe to dive and swim near them as long as you don't disturb them. However, it is common for groups of sea lions to fight each other over territory. Females give birth to one pup per year and care for them until they are two or three years old. Females live longer than males--up to 20 years. The Galapagos is home to about 50,000 sea lions.

The unique wildlife of the Galapagos is part of what makes this destination so special--and fragile as well. To protect these and other important species, tourists are only allowed to visit the Islands with a licensed tour company. Check out these sustainable tourism business in the Galapagos and plan the trip you'll never forget!

This entry was posted on July 23, 2013 at 3:38 PM and has received 1040 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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They say the best part of travel is the journey, not the destination. Many tourists will visit the ancient ruins at Machu Picchu, but fewer will complete the Salkantay Trek, a longer and more intense alternative to the popular Inca Trail. The Salkantay Trek was named one of the 25 best Treks in the World by National Geographic Adventure Travel Magazine, offering travelers up close views of some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

This photo was taken by Mountain Lodges of Peru during its lodge-to-lodge trek to Machu Picchu, which begins at Salkantay Lodge.

This entry was posted on July 19, 2013 at 1:26 PM and has received 534 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Mexico's Copper Canyon, in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains, is one of North America's most impressive natural wonders. What is called the "Copper Canyon" is actually a group of six massive canyons that is four times the size of, and, in some places, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon in the United States. Though named for the color of its rock walls, Copper Canyon is actually quite verdant. Oak and fir forests cover the highest altitudes, brushwood and scrub push out of dry canyon slopes, and huge fig and palm trees grow in lower reaches, where the climate is tropical and wet.

The most popular mode of transportation for visitors is the Chihuahua-Pacific (or "Chepe") railroad, which runs between the cities of Chihuahua and Los Mochis and traverses the Urique Canyon, the deepest in North America. The ride treats passengers to breathtaking vistas of towering cliffs, colorful flora and fauna, and remote mountain villages. Popular stops include the picturesque colonial town of El Fuerte, the relatively large town of Creel with its convenient budget hotels and many restaurants, the peaceful mountain village of Cerocahui, and the old mining town of Batopilas, in the depths of the Batopilas River gorge. Visitors can get off at any stop to explore the canyons and towns by bike, on horseback, or on foot.

This destination is remote and rugged–perfect for adventure travelers and a far cry indeed from the chic beach resorts of Mexico's Riviera Maya region. The Copper Canyon is home to the Rarámuri (or Tarahumara) indigenous people, whose name approximately means "The Fast Runners." Tales of their running prowess abound; they have a tradition of ultra-marathon competitions of up to 200 miles over rough terrain, and they historically hunted deer by chasing them on foot until the animal collapsed from exhaustion. Many Rarámuri are still semi-nomadic, living in log cabins during the summer and moving into caves at lower altitudes during the winter.

Some Rarámuri communities are happy to welcome travelers, offering guided tours along the ancient mountain paths and sharing cultural customs, food, and handcrafts. The Rarámuri are known for their intricate hand woven baskets, which they sell directly to tourists to help support their families. If you patronize a traditional craft store in one of the region's town centers, be sure that the proceeds will benefit the community. Some stores, like the Jesuit-run Artesanías Misión in Creel, donate all proceeds to cultural development and the local hospital. That said, be aware and respectful of the fact that some Rarámuri communities have chosen to remain closed to the outside world, protecting a traditional way of life that is many centuries old.

Hundreds of bird species make Copper Canyon a fantastic birding destination as well. A cruise along the El Fuerte River offers bird watchers opportunities to spot many colorful species including the military macaw, vermillion flycatcher, black hawk, squirrel cuckoo, crested caracara, black-throated magpie jay, and white-winged dove.

The Copper Canyon is a must-see for any adventure traveler. The majestic cliffs and ridges, lush forests, beautiful rivers, and unique cultural experiences will make for the perfect sustainable trip.

This entry was posted on July 17, 2013 at 1:19 PM and has received 556 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Did you know that Los Cabos, located on the Baja California Peninsula in northwestern Mexico, is known as a dual destination? Los Cabos is famous for combining the authentic Spanish-colonial Mexican charm of quiet San Jose with the modern and glamorous hotels, restaurants, and nightlife of San Lucas.

Los Cabos is also famous for its magnificent and diverse beaches. The ocean, the desert, and the mountains meet in this photo from Secrets Marquis Los Cabos, a fabulous Rainforest Alliance Verified hotel located in San José del Cabo.

This entry was posted on July 12, 2013 at 3:56 PM and has received 602 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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The Amazon jungle area near the border between Ecuador and Peru is one of the most remote and well-protected parts of the western Amazon Basin. It is a pristine region surrounded by forests are home to at least 19 species of mammals, and 37 species of amphibians as well as 11 reptile and 250 bird species. Also in this region is an indigenous community called the Achuar or "the people of the achu palm" -- a plant that is abundant in the swamps of the area.

The Achuar still maintain their rich ancestral traditions, and for years they have made a living from subsistence agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering in the tropical moist forest. In 1993, these communities decided to venture into tourism as a new opportunity for economic development.

In 1996, the Achuar allied with an Ecuadorian entrepreneur to found Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve. The hotel was built by local craftsmen using materials from the area and in a native style. About 90 percent of Kapawi's staff is Achuar, and they ensure that the hotel's operations are "ecologically responsible and culturally sensitive" according to the dictates of their own lifestyle.

After only a few years, the community project became a complete success. National Geographic named it one of the "Best Hotels in Ecuador" in 2011 and it won the Ecuador Prize of the United Nations 2010 Program for Development, the "Ecotourism Award 2002" from Skal International Tourism Professionals, and the "Ecotourism Excellence 2000" prize from Conservation International. This year, the Rainforest Alliance recognized Kapawi as a "2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter" during its annual gala in New York City.

General manager Andres Ordóñez tells us about Kapawi's success as a business, an engine of development, and a tool for preserving Achuar culture.

Question: Why did the Achuar opt for tourism instead of other activities to diversify their income?

Ordóñez : When the project began in the mid-1990s, the economic development outlook for these communities was not very positive. In decades past, there had been a lot of conflict stemming from oil exploration and exploitation. Agriculture was not a good option either due to geographical conditions, and because the local people needed nothing more than their vegetable gardens for home consumption anyway. So tourism emerged as an innovative proposal that allowed them to generate revenue, fulfill their desire for recognition, consolidate themselves as a nationality, and obtain legal possession of their lands. Moreover, it made them pioneers in the region.

Q: How have the local people benefited from Kapawi's great success?

O: More than a brand and a business, the hotel is the spearhead of the Achuar Nationality of Ecuador. Kapawi has become a tool for preserving Achuar culture and lands through sustainable tourism, which has generated many jobs and training opportunities, and has exposed these communities to the world as the guardians of the jungle.

Q: Can you expand on how the hotel contributes to the economic welfare of Achuar communities?

O: In addition to providing employment and training, the funds raised from tourist entry fees are delivered quarterly to the community for various needs. The priority is to support health and education, so money is first allocated to clinics and schools. Then the administrative costs of the six communities are divided up, and additional money is investmented in training, workshops and innovative projects, such as building the first solar canoe of the Amazon, now in the final implementation phase.

Q: Why did Kapawi seek SmartVoyager certification and Rainforest Alliance Verification?

O: Certifications and verifications help support responsible management by endorsing our hard work and reinforcing the actions the hotel is taking for sustainability.

Q: How did Kapawi's employees feel about receiving the Rainforest Alliance's "2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award"?

O: The news was received with a lot of excitement due to the award's international significance and because the Rainforest Alliance has been special ally of Kapawi's for many years. This award recognized the communities' management, particularly Kapawi's staff, who consider themselves to be Ecuadorians who understand the importance of sustainability. We are very proud to be one of the few companies that have sustainable tourism as the core of its operations.

Q: What are the main challenges the lodge is facing?

O: The main challenge is keeping Achuar culture active and alive, because the temptations to deviate are many. The hotel is now 100 percent owned by the community, which is a great achievement--but it also means that the owners do not yet have sufficient economic resources to recapitalize and innovate, which is essential for facing regional competition and growing costs.

Q: Is it more difficult to keep the traditional culture alive when you must adapt to the modern needs of the business, such as adopting new technologies and learning other languages?

O: As Darwin said, "The species that survives is the one that adapts to changes." Contemporary dynamism accelerates some changes, but the Achuar have maintained a relationship of harmony and respect with their land, which has been the keystone to preserving strong ties with their roots and maintaining a business based on their traditions. Technology, the internet, and learning languages are business tools that strengthen the company and help the Achuar share their culture with the world.

Q: How do you plan to maintain and improve Kapawi Ecolodge's sustainable tourism business model?

O: We have to maintain practices for cultural and environmental sustainability while working simultaneously on business model innovation. We want Kapawi's positive impact to reach more communities and boost productive development. We are already working on this and we hope to start a new phase in 2014.

Q: How has your life changed since you starting working at Kapawi?

O: I have worked in the tourism sector for 18 years and in community tourism for 10 years; however, this work is special. Working at Kapawi involves extraordinary commitment and long term dedication because we must not only meet the objectives of the business, but also support the vision of an entire people--of 7,000 people who want to preserve their culture and nature and live in harmony with it.

This entry was posted on July 9, 2013 at 1:01 PM and has received 1708 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

A journey to Refugio Amazonas, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ lodge in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon, is an adventure of awesome proportions. To reach the secluded lodge, guests fly into a small airport in the city of Puerto Maldonado, ride by bus over muddy, winding roads and embark on a four-hour boat ride down the Tambopata River.

The boat ride itself, which includes opportunities to spot caimans (similar to small American alligators in appearance), capybaras (pig-sized rodents) and pumas, is worthy of adventure-tour status.

After the epic journey, the hotel does not disappoint. Set on stilts at the end of a short hike from the riverfront, Refugio Amazonas merges luxury, relaxation and adventure in a beautiful package. Better yet, it does so in a socially, environmentally and economically sustainable way.

Since participating in Rainforest Alliance training, Refugio Amazonas has implemented sustainability measures across the board. "We have made many changes," explains Maria Louisa Gutierrez, senior chief of operations at Refugio Amazonas. "Now we try to avoid bringing lots of people in the kitchen. Everyone who enters here has to wear a hairnet. And we separate trash into paper, plastic and organics."

The staff, 89 percent of whom are local residents, also look to multiple large, illustrated signs in the kitchen for reminders on sustainable best management practices and menu planning. "Refugio Amazonas came up with that idea themselves," says Luz Aida Ochoa, a coordinator for the Rainforest Alliance's sustainable tourism program in Peru.

In the laundry, sheets and towels are washed with biodegradable soap -- a protocol to protect the water quality of local streams and rivers -- and air-dried. The hotel stocks guest rooms with shampoo and conditioner in reusable bottles; staff use up leftover toiletries. The internet and electricity -- which are available for only a few hours each day -- are solar-powered.

Measures like these are part of the hotel's commitment to protecting the habitat of local wildlife (including the caiman, capybaras and pumas spotted on the trip over); these best practices are beneficial to both the ecosystem and the hotel's bottom line. In a survey of 14 verified tourism businesses in five countries, including Peru, all participants reported that their conservation activities -- including the prohibition of threats to native plants and animals -- were critical to improving the quality of guests' experience.

These sustainability initiatives keep the hotel running smoothly, but it is the hotel's unique offerings that make the Refugio Amazonas experience unforgettable. For serenity-seekers, there are daily yoga sessions and massages. For thrill-seekers, hotel guides lead biking and fishing trips, as well as bird watching excursions. And those looking for a spiritual connection to this beautiful landscape can participate in traditional religious ceremonies.

It cannot be denied that electricity is on only a few hours a day, the water is lukewarm and the internet is spotty -- but the setting, accommodations and service make Refugio Amazonas feel like a luxury hotel. And since the lodge is Rainforest Alliance Verified, a trip there is practically guilt free.

Much of the Rainforest Alliance's work in the Madre de Dios region of Peru is financed by the United States Agency for International Development under the Initiative for Conservation in the Andean Amazon.

This entry was posted on July 3, 2013 at 11:59 AM and has received 713 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.