Running Head: SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 0

Report on Sustainability Practice: Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa

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SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICE REPORT 1

Introduction: Tourism Business and Purpose

Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa

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

improper consumption of physical and anthropogenic resources, particularly in developing

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

cheaper and regulations and legislation are easier to circumvent.

Purpose of the Report

Currently, ecotourism is a common tourism segment that is increasingly developing and

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

examine how to improve the sustainable policies of the tourism business.

Sustainability Issues

According to Jayawardena et al (2008), the process of examining sustainability practice

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

concept of sustainable tourism is characterized as the creation and management approach of

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

cultural identity and environmental mechanisms.

Economic issues

According to Balmforth (2016), ecolodges are of special importance to the sustainability

practice of the environment as they are modest, moderate, and small enterprises that can produce

a variety of potential economic growth implications in heavily agricultural, forested regions in

which other forms of development are also harmful to the ecosystem. 

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).

Additionally, it stimulates market engagement in tourism activities by developing long-term

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

opportunities which aid in the alleviation of poverty, including employment. As a tourist-

oriented business, Daintree Eco Lodge, requires various people holding different skills who

enable the provision of services offered, and thus, creating employment.

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
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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).

These efforts identify aspects of economic sustainability as related to the entity.

The Challenging Issues in Economic Sustainability

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,

a host of other competitive eco-accommodation services offer comparable arrangements as well.

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,

underperformance in reacting to customer requirements can lead to higher customer

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
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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

affecting. To achieve a positive impact on the eco-system, according to Cerović et al (2012),

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

sustainability standards, and introduce sustainable, environmentally friendly innovations in the

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
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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

for future generations. Ecotourism is characterized as environmentally friendly tourist industry

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
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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.

Potential Improvement and conclusion

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

conservation will be revitalized and strengthened as a result of this reciprocal exchange.

Furthermore, this will allow the resort to establish a strong association with local populations and

gain their support.

To enable the achievement of consumer satisfaction, the business needs to adopt

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

demonstrates that ecotourism is a competitive tourism market. Economic, social, and

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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