Ethical and Ecotourism projects

As the first industry in the world, tourism generates significant quantities of greenhouse gas emissions through a number of induced trips around the world.
To make tourism activity "more environmentally responsible", tour operators, travel agencies, transport companies, can participate in our offset CO2 and good environmental practices programs.

 

 

The example of our partner : SURTREK Tour Operator

 

Vitalideas has signed an agreement with one of its Partners: Surtrek Tour Operator, for the implementation of Good Environmental and Social Practices in “Las Cascadas Jungle Lodge”, a process being carried out since October 2008.

Las Cascadas Jungle Lodge is located in the Community of Cajabamba II, in the canton of Santa Clara, Province of Pastaza, Ecuador, at the beginning of the Amazon Jungle. Las Cascadas received its name from the waterfalls located on the territory of the Jungle Lodge. The most spectacular of them is an approximately 35-meter high waterfall, which falls down into a semicircular steep waste similar to an amphitheater that can be used as a wonderful bath pool in the middle of the unaffected rainforest, listening to the birds and feeling tropical breeze. The Lodge has a property of 300 hectares of secondary forests and untouched primary forests.

 

Implementation of good environmental practices

The main objective of this agreement is to implement good practices to avoid that tourism operations in Cajabamba II affect natural habitat, to promote the recuperation of secondary forests and the conservation of primary forests. Moreover, it stimulates the support of local communities to give an incentive to sustainable development based on environmental friendly alternatives.

 

With the support of Vitalideas, Las Cascadas Jungle Lodge received the SMART VOYAGER Certification in "Conservation and Development" in March 2009 and February 2010. Smart Voyager is a sustainable tourism program in South America, which aims to reduce environmental impacts that a tourism operation might cause; under strict environmental, social and security norms. Las Cascadas Jungle Lodge meets a set of conservation standards for protecting the environment, wildlife and the well being of workers and local communities. This certification is awarded by the independent Ecuadorian NGO Conservación y Desarrollo (Conservation and Development)

 

CO2 compensation from SURTREK clients coming to Ecuador or visiting the Galapagos Islands:

SURTREK also wanted to engage its Eco-responsibility in global warming. To offset the emissions produced by the inevitable air travel of its customers, SURTREK gets involved in reforestation, protection of primary forest and community development programs, with Vitalideas. Each passenger buys a small proportion of carbon credits offsetting carbon produced by his travel. They thus participate in the financing of Vitalideas projects.

 

 

See also the actions implemented with Surtrek in the natural resources conservation field.

 

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