Running Head: Sustainability Practice Report 0
Running Head: Sustainability Practice Report 0
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SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 1
Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa is a key tourism destination in Australia. The business,
which is located in a 30 acre of land in Daintree forest, Queensland was established in 1993. The
resort is among Australia's leading environmentally - friendly and luxurious lodges, set in the
Mossman Gorge area across the southern banks of the Daintree River. The location is about 90
minutes from the city of Cairns. As a result, it provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore
one of Australia's oldest rainforests while still providing total protection and solitude. Thus, with
tourism being an integral sector in the growth of every economy; the business, providing unique
services to tourists, rests as an important part of this industry. In the country, tourism it is
considered as among largest sectors today, and it is playing an increasingly important role across
the globe. In Australia, the tourism sector is among the most important industries, contributing
significantly to the economy. Through one viewpoint, in hopes of gaining more financial gains
from tourism individuals engaged in this sector are not often conscious of the world they are
entering. Therefore, due to their lack of concern, various issues ranging from the degradation and
economies. There are ongoing issues as more businesses and organizations, typically from more
industrialized economies, reach these developing economies with rising intensity since costs are
has a leading role in the global tourism industry. According to Jiani et al. (2012), the
development is attributable to its features, which meet the demands of existing tourists and also
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 2
the local population while also enhancing and creating potential prospects. As a result, the
tourism business, Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, was identified for this project to examine and
improve their sustainability process. Following this context, the report shall review vital specifics
of the industry and identified business in detail. This focus is developed in a bid to objectively
evaluate and interpret the sustainable tourism practice of the selected tourism business. Then, in
view of viability, the problems and concerns of the Daintree Eco-lodge will be examined.
Furthermore, the study will introduce the most appropriate tourism sustainability criteria to this
business in determining how the business is achieving sustainability. Ultimately, the analysis will
Sustainability Issues
within the tourism industry, particularly in a given business, with a basis on sustainability
principles, it is divided into multiple facets which include, economic, social, and ecological. The
resources that pervades all aspects of tourism practices and policies, coexisting with
socioeconomic, cultural, and health and safety aspects of communities within a given society.
This means that sustainable tourism meets the demands of the stipulated aspects while preserving
Economic issues
practice of the environment as they are modest, moderate, and small enterprises that can produce
In terms of economic sustainability, sustainable tourism activity benefits both the tourism
industry and the local economy. It should be noted that sustainable tourism practices boost
market efficiency and promote the formation of alliances (Chester & Drimi, 2012). Furthermore,
sustainable tourism is among the globe's leading and developing sectors in the tourism industry.
As a result, Daintree Eco Lodge embraced and implemented sustainable practices in particular to
maximize the profits of industry. To be more precise, it has installed a solar power system and a
rainwater chlorination system to conserve and mitigate operating expenses through waste
reduction, energy conservation and water conservation programs (Daintree Eco Lodge, 2021).
sustainability strategies that minimize possible threats to future processes. In achieving economic
sustainability, the business has established significant aspects, aimed at not only making profits
but benefiting the local community. Among the economic issues associated with the business
include:
Employment
The Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa has achieved considerable economic sustainability by
providing a means for employment. According to McKercher (2003), tourism provides several
oriented business, Daintree Eco Lodge, requires various people holding different skills who
Partnerships
The business, according to its website has made significant partnerships which have
influenced their economic sustainability aspects positively. Through a partnership with Thrive
Refugee Enterprise, Daintree Eco Lodge achieves significant support in enabling the
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 4
employment of refugees who arrive at Australia. Through such, endeavor, the business argues
that it accomplishes an essential role in ensuring that such affected individuals not only acquire
decent jobs, but also are guaranteed of a financially effective future (Daintree Eco Lodge, 2021).
The lodge only meets the necessary conditions for eco-accommodation and offers basic
facilities that do not go further than the normal boundaries of eco-accommodation. Nevertheless,
It can raise disinterest amongst participants such as investors stakeholders, and providers. This
might result in the loss of both existing and prospective lodge tourists. To summarize,
disappointment with the enterprise. Furthermore r, while the business provides opportunities
within the identified community, it also poses challenges to the population. The impact that the
business presents affect its sustainability, whereby, during its construction land use was changed,
which affected the settlement of the local population. On the other hand, the process affected
ecosystem, since trees and other vegetation were exploited to enable the construction.
Social Issues
The relationship of the tourists with the community has the greatest socio-cultural
influence. Tourism, by definition, takes place in diverse and vulnerable ecosystems and cultures,
culminating in the mixing of individuals from different social and cultural contexts. Tourists are
frequently outsiders in a particular area, separating themselves from the community residents, for
example, by dress standards and norms of behavior (Dirschl, 2008). Therefore, From the
standpoint of social security, sustainable tourism practices maximize appreciation for the cultural
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 5
authenticity of host societies through protecting their artistic and historical resources and social
traditions, as well as leading to cross cultural harmony and cooperation through participation and
promoting changes in standard of living (Padin, 2012). For example, sustainable tourism allows
the lodge to educate and employ locals in order to promote the social and economic growth of
the local community. It also helps the tourist industry by encouraging people to buy local goods.
As a result, this could strengthen and foster the friendship and regard between visitors and locals,
which enhances a community’s pride in the confidence of their culture. To achieve social
sustainability, thus the business has engaged with the local community significantly, through
programs which ensure that they work with the individuals. For instance, the lodge works with
the local community in accessing various products, ranging from food, art, beverages among
others. Thus, it supports agricultural activities undertaken by the community (Daintree Eco
Lodge, 2021).
Environmental Issues
Global warming and climate change are among key issues that various businesses are on
awareness and pro-activity are essential. The authors further argue that, the understanding of a
modern tourist, as well as an enterprise, of the need to behave wisely towards environment, adopt
business processes of tourist providers in the tourism sector, is growing. (Cerovic, Drpić &
Milojica, 2012). Therefore, in Daintree Eco Lodge From an ecological sustainability context,
sustainable tourism activity promotes the most efficient utilization of ecological tools, that are a
crucial facet of tourism growth (Krüger, 2005). Furthermore, it contributes to the preservation of
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 6
natural heritage and habitats by assisting in the maintenance of critical ecosystem structures
(Krüger, 2005).
Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa, in general, has embraced ecotourism in their housing,
which supports the environment while focusing on environmental sustainability and conservation
that focuses significantly on exploring natural environments and promotes historical and
ecological awareness. Therefore, the eco lodge has made positive approaches to the preservation
of environmental and cultural heritages that support diversity. Following the eco lodges focused
on environmental sustainability very limited challenges are identified. The business has delved
into ensuring it minimizes its carbon print in the atmosphere, by developing and conserving the
eco system.
Assessment of Operation
To qualify as a sustainable eco-tourism business, the lodge would just have to satisfy the
basic standards, like the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria for Hotels and Tour Providers or
the Ecotourism Australia ROC and ECO certification criteria. In general, the lodge manages its
service in accordance with the Ecotourism Australia ROC and ECO certification guidelines. The
criteria is characterized as detrimental for the operating scheme, upon which the lodge operates,
since it ensures that it is sustainable. The majority of the standards listed in the requirements are
met by the Daintree Eco Lodge, particularly with regards to environmental sustainability.
Nevertheless, there are a host of problems that have been identified that could be improved.
Based on 8 features that the Ecotourism Australia ROC and ECO certification criteria
explores, Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa has significantly made positive achievements. Based on
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 7
these aspects, the eco lodge acquires its water sources from springs, which are accessed through
bores (Daintree Eco Lodge, 2021). This source of water adequately provides fresh water supply
to the entire resort. To ensure that the water is safe for consumption, multiple tests are conducted
regularly. The tests conducted show that the resources are not contaminated with chlorine, which
promotes a positive impact on the ecosystem and reduces the entity’s footprint on the
environment.
Further, the business ensures that its operation impact the ecosystem positively by
enhance sustainability in the environment and surroundings with few other practices. For
instance, environmentally responsible products and energy saving light bulbs were used
throughout the lodge. Furthermore, reusing and recycling are highly in action. Moreover, the
lodge gets its food supplement from the local farms around growing natural organic product.
Recommendations
While spring water positively promotes the business’s environmental sustainability, using
purified water, can be another approach to guaranteeing economic sustainability and reliability
(Lorant, 2011). Some ecolodges have already implemented these measures, which have
significantly decreased the amount of waste produced as well as the power and water utility
charges.
Additionally, supplying organic waste as biomass and livestock feed to the nearby farms
surrounding the lodge could aid in the lodge's problem-solving efforts. The environmental
Furthermore, this will allow the resort to establish a strong association with local populations and
strategies that entail aspects of reviewing and accessing feedback. One of the most influential
approaches to address the issue is through the adoption of social networking sites, such as social
media, websites and data analytics. From such approaches, the business will have access to
consumer feedback, which they utilize in promoting their services, and rectifying any challenges
identified.
Conclusion
As a result of the details provided in this article, Daintree Eco Lodge clearly
environmental sustainability are accomplished by the use of ecotourism. The strategy has a high
potential for growth in the global market for sustainable tourism. As a result, the stated company
was objectively reviewed and analyzed in this article, as well as how it interacts with the
sustainability concept. Furthermore, already emerging weaknesses in the tourism service have
been identified, and suitable solutions to address the issues have been developed.
SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 9
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SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 10
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