An Evaluation on The Rain Forest Eco lodgeDeniyaya, Sri Lanka

Pabasara Gunawardane

CONTENTS

Introduction

Target tourist market

Business model canvas

Principles of eco tourism

Recommendations

Improved Business model Canvas

INTRODUCTION

Tourism in Sri Lanka

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

The Rainforest Eco lodge

Located in 500 acre division of the Enselwatte Tea Estate, Deniyaya in Matara district, bordering in the south eastern side of the Sinharaja rainforest reserve.

‘Beyond beaches to nature, culture and adventure’ program by USAID and The Tourism Cluster (TTC)

Started the constructions in 2009-2011 after a series of protests

In operation from 2012

LOCATION

INTRODUCTION

The Rainforest Eco lodge

Accommodation + Eco tour provider

Based on the eco-tourism in Costa Rica

Consist of 16 chalets -lodging consisting of a bedroom, washroom, living room and private deck

The Eco lodge has been constructed at an investment of US$ 4 million

The staff is 22

TARGET TOURIST MARKET

Mainly targets on foreign customers England Sweden Australia France

Rates (Foreign)

Single Double TripleBed & Breakfast 170.00 205.00 240.00Half Board 189.00 285.00 367.00

Rates (Local) LKR Single Double Triple

  17,500.00 24,900.00 33,300.00

US $

PRESENT BUSINESS MODEL

Key partners

Key activities

Key resources

Value propositions

Customer relationships

Channels

Customer segments

Revenue streams

Cost structure

• Tour agencies• Tourists• Suppliers• Local people

as guides and labor

• Accommodation• Trekking• Nature walks• Gardening• Bird watching

Trained professional staffFinancial strength

• Innovative chalets

• Closer to Sinharaja

• ‘Eco friendliness’

• Good staff

• Customer feedbacks

• Website• Social media• International

magazines

• Eco tourists

• Nature lovers

• Tourists

• Buying from suppliers• Salaries• CSR• Advertising

• Utility bills

• Providing accommodations

• Trekking and nature walks

PRINCIPLES OF ECOTOURISM

Minimize impact.

Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect.

Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.

Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people.

Raise sensitivity to host countries' political, environmental, and social climate.

IMPACT MINIMIZATION

Chalets made out of used shipping containers

Furnished with bamboo walling

Used railway sleepers are using for the flooring

Implementation of a Storm water Management Plan

100% Reduction of Potable Water use for sewage conveyance through the use of harvested rainwater

On-Site Renewable Energy

IMPACT MINIMIZATION

Use of construction materials with recycled content

Use of Locally Available Construction Materials 

Natural Ventilation

Adoption of No-Smoking Policy

Daylight and Views

Installation and commissioning Waste water treatment plant by PROMET ltd.

HVAC Systems and Building Envelope meets ASHRAE Standard 55-2004

IMPACT MINIMIZATION

IMPACT MINIMIZATION

IMPACT MINIMIZATION

Environmentalists oppose the Rainforest Eco lodge due to the potential threat to the Sinharaja Forest reserve

The lodge uses plastic containers to serve soap and some beverages

POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

On Tourists An expedition through the rainforest through six

different trails.Arboretum TrailWaterfall TrailNight TrailBirdwatching TrailMain TrailKurulugala kande trail

Protecting their privacy & freedom.

Dive into beautiful Waterfalls

Trekking and professional nature interpretation service and the interpretation center

POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

Bird Watching

Urocissa ornata Megalaima flavifrons

Phaenicophaeus pyrrhocephalus

Gallus lafayettiiTurdoides subrufa

POSITIVE EXPERIENCES

Trekking & Nature trails

CONSERVATION

There is no specific conservation project conducted by the Eco-lodge

Minimizing environmental impacts is the main objective

Organic garden is maintained in order to obtain vegetables and green leaves while conserving the soil and water

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Spent Rs. 30 million in building housing for the estate community

A community center and a school was also established

Out of 22, 16 staff members are from the Deniyaya environs

People doing the treks are mostly from the village

AWARDS

Awarded the 'LEEDS PLATINUM for Sustainable Tourism' through Eco Management, as the 1st in Sri Lanka, 5th in the world and 4th in Asia to be crowned with this award.

Selected as the best Eco lodge in 2013 by Wildforest foundation

Winner of Skål International Sustainable Tourism Awards 2014 under countryside: Alpine tourism, scenic mountains, forests category

RECOMMENDATIONS

For the Rainforest Eco lodge

Utmost care should be taken in operations as the lodge is located in an area with rich-biodiversity

More attention should be given for conservation activities

Use Eco-friendly packages/wrappings

Naturally prevent mosquitos and mice to ensure the hygiene and safety

Educate the visitors more about the Sinharaja Forest Reserve

Nature walks should be organized for small groups

RECOMMENDATIONS

Government intervention for a better ecotourism industry is required

The National Environment Act (No. 47, 1980) provides legal regulations for only mass tourism activities and small-scale tourism activities not Eco tourism activities

Forest department and DWLC should take relevant steps to avoid the exploitation of natural resources for the private uses

The conservation of the forest resources by the eco lodge provider should be monitored by a responsible institution

Activities of eco tourism agencies should be also monitored by the government

Establishment of a certification program for forest-based ecotourism

For the Government

IMPROVED BUSINESS MODEL

• Conservation

• Government

Forest canopy walk

• Improve the hygienic conditions

REFERENCES

Contact Person

Ms. Nathasha Liyanage Marketing Assistant Rainforest Ecolodge (Pvt) Ltd

http://rainforest-ecolodge.org/ Mihiri Wikramanayake, Bewildering Wilderness,

http://livingcolomboguide.lmd.lk/2013/10/rainforest-ecolodge-2/ as at 2333 on 03.11.2014

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g1010261-d3374573-Reviews-Rainforest_Ecolodge-Deniyaya_Southern_Province.html

Kanchana Wickremasinghe, Forest Attraction: Can Sri Lanka use Ecotourism for Sustainable Forest Management?(Feb 2014), http://www.dailymirror.lk/business/features/43012-forest-attraction-can-sri-lanka-use-ecotourism-for-sustainable-forest-management.html as at 2336 on 03.11.2014

Palayangoda, LI; Fernando, P, Solar and wind powered hybrid air-conditioner for a rainforest eco lodge (2013) http://dl.lib.mrt.ac.lk/handle/123/9301 as at 2336 on 03.11.2014

THANK YOU !!!