The document discusses a project in Ecuador that aims to mainstream biodiversity conservation into the tourism industry. It seeks to develop and disseminate ecosystem-specific sustainable tourism best practices. The project will target accommodation providers and tour operators to educate them on practices that protect coastal/marine areas and tropical forests. It will take place in Mindo and the Galapagos Islands from 2005-2007 and hopes to increase adoption of sustainable practices among target businesses and to document lessons learned.

1. BELIZE

2. Mainstreaming Biodiversity Conservation into Tourism through the Development and Dissemination of Best Practices.

3. Project Goals and Strategy To address the lack of internationally applicable ecosystem-specific sustainable tourism best practices. Mainstreaming biodiversity conservation into tourism in Ecuador to ensure local, national and global environmental benefits Target those industry players that most directly control tourism’s impacts on coastal/marine areas and tropical forests. Accommodation providers and in-bound tour operators, or the supply side of the tourism industry © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

4. Outcomes of the Project Ecosystem-specific best practices for tourism service suppliers, and business-to-business tools that educate wholesale purchasers on providing market incentives for tourism service suppliers implementing best practices, are locally developed, internationally applicable and regionally endorsed. Broad-based awareness and implementation of best practices is achieved among a target percentage of tour operators and accommodation providers in Ecuador. © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

5. Outcomes of the Project Increased capacity for continuous implementation of sustainable tourism best practices. Lessons/experiences from the project are documented and widely disseminated to facilitate replication. © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

6. Basic Project Information Geographical Scope: Mindo Galápagos Duration: Starting: December 2005 Ending: October 2007 Beneficiaries: Small Hotels Tour Operators Small Cruise lines © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

7. Sites © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4). • Mindo Chocó • Galapagos Islands • Regions with extensive biodiversity to protect. • Existing tourism infrastructure with potential for growth.

8. Mindo, its richness and tourism © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4). • Located in the buffer zone of the Mindo Nambillo protected forest (MNPF) • MNPF one of the last wooded redoubts of the Ecuador • 19200 ha. of protected primary and secondary forest. • 500 varieties of birds • 300 of butterflies • 370 of orchids • Mammals: spectacled bear, …. • Predominates a culture of conservation • Ecotourism is the most important activity. • Ancient livestock pasture converted in restored forest. • 1997 Mindo – First area of importance for birds in America. Birdlife International.

9. Gal ápagos: its richness and Tourism For its high grade of endemism in flora and fauna, is one of the most prefered National Parks in the world. 19 major islands and more than 200 islets. 97% of its surface is National Park. 1979, World Natural Heritage Site , UNESCO 1985, Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO 1998, Marine Reserve. 133000km2 85 % of species of terrestrial birds are endemic 6 species of mammals are considered to be endemic. 98% of endemism in reptiles (20 of 22 species) 27% of endemism for marine birds 607 species of plants © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

10. Gal ápagos: its richness and Tourism One of the seven most important areas of the world for scuba diving. 84 Cruises Tourists in 2005: 108.600 National economic contribution: USD 130.000.000 Local economic contribution: USD 40.000.000 © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4).

11. Pilot operation in Choco-Mindo • Mirador Río Blanco • Hostería la Rinconada de Rolando Vera • Séptimo Paraiso Hostería & Cloud Forest Reserve • Hostería El Encanto • Las Siete Cascadas Lodge • Hostería Pantaví • Kaony Lodge • Maquipucuna • San Miguel • Vía Natura • Nuevo mundo Comunidad • Las tolas Comunidad • Polylepis Lodge • Runa Tupari • Bellavista • Santa Lucia • Sachatamia Lodge • Reserva Verdecocha • Hostería y Jardín Botánico • Sapos y Ranas • Cascadas de Shishink • Cabañas Armonía • Hostería Mariposas de Mindo • Rancho Suamox • Mindo Garden

12. • Miconia Cabañas • Casa Blanca • Hotel Royal Palm • La Casa de Marita • Hostal Mainao • Hotel Finch Bay • The Red Mangrove Adventure Inn Las Gardenias Hostal Cormorant La Isla del Descanzo © CI. 2006 Juan Diego Pérez (1y 2), Murray Cooper (3), Sterling Zumbrunn (4). Pilot Operation in Galapagos

13. Cayo Adventure Tour O ffers complete travel and tour services spanning the entire country of Belize. With fourteen enjoyable years of experience in designing and implementing itineraries for individual travelers, special interest groups, business travelers, and adventure vacationers, we ensure that your vacation in Belize exceeds your expectations. Type of services provided: accommodations, local flights, transfers, tours and activities both inland and on the beautiful islands of Belize.

14. Maya Mountain Lodge & Tours L ocated in Belize's Cayo District with access to many days of exploring and adventure. Nestled against a private jungle reserve, yet at the edge of the small town of San Ignacio, Cayo, Maya Mountain is located conveniently for both cultural and natural history investigation, making it a perfect adventure base for exploring San Ignacio, Cayo District and Belize. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurant, Mayan Ruinsexploring ancient Mayan pottery in hidden caves, to overnight camp-outs … from enjoying our tropical gardens to viewing wildlife while canoeing down vine clad rivers.

15. Casa del Caballo Blanco Located 1.3 miles west of San Ignacio Town, on the hillsides forming the southern side of the Mopan River Valley. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurant, Transport to and from Goldson Airport , Day trips to local archeological sites , Birding trips, Canoeing, river rafting, hiking, sight-seeing and Day trips to Butterfly farms and medicinal trails

16. Maya Mountain Lodge & Tours L ocated in Belize's Cayo District with access to many days of exploring and adventure. Nestled against a private jungle reserve, yet at the edge of the small town of San Ignacio, Cayo, Maya Mountain is located conveniently for both cultural and natural history investigation, making it a perfect adventure base for exploring San Ignacio, Cayo District and Belize. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurant, Mayan Ruinsexploring ancient Mayan pottery in hidden caves, to overnight camp-outs … from enjoying our tropical gardens to viewing wildlife while canoeing down vine clad rivers.

17. Hidden Valley Inn located on a 7200 acre private reserve in the Mountain Pine Ridge area of Belize. This intimate eco resort offers quality accommodation, fine food and attentive service in a natural environment unspoiled by man. The flora, wildlife and birding here are like no place on earth. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurant, Hiking & Biking, Birding, Waterfalls, Caracol Tour, Xunantunich Tour, Cahal Pech Tour & CAVES AND RIVERS

18. Banana Bank Lodge Situated on the peaceful Belize River and surrounded by 4,000 acres of pristine rainforest, Banana Bank Lodge is the perfect place to see all the best that Belize has to offer. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurant, Horseback Riding , Tubing, Kayaking or River Boat Trip , Black Hole Drop, Local Cultural & Capital Tour & Cayo West Tour

19. Caesar's Gift Shop and Guest House Situated on the peaceful Belize River and surrounded by 4,000 acres of pristine rainforest, Banana Bank Lodge is the perfect place to see all the best that Belize has to offer. Type of services provided: accommodations, Exquisite Dining, MangoJam Jazz and Blues Band and Tours and other activities

20. Five Sisters Lodge Located in the scenic Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. This is the largest protected area in Belize, boasting an immense Rain Forest and natural Wildlife Sanctuary. Type of services provided: accommodations, full dining facilities, in-house bar, stargazing deck, and a gift shop for your convenience, Caracol, Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools, Barton Creek, 1000 Foot Falls, and a butterfly farm. One of the most popular full-day trips is a Mountain Pine Ridge tour on horseback.

21. Black Rock Lodge Located at San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize, Type of services provided: accommodations, full dining facilities, include horseback riding, canoeing, tubing, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, swimming, night hiking, and caving & excursions to Actun Cave, Inland Blue Hole and the Mountain Pine Ridge

22. Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina Located in the Cayo District of Belize on the most predominant Mayan hillside, is the world renowned hotel, Cahal Pech Village Resort. Our unique hotel offers our guests an invigorating view of San Ignacio and surrounding local sites. Type of services provided: accommodations, full dining facilities, include horseback riding, Xunantunich Mayan Ruins , River Canoeing, Mountain Pine Ridge , Jungle Tour and Wilderness Canoeing

23. San Ignacio Resort Hotel San Ignacio Resort Hotel Nestled on a hill in the heart of San Ignacio, the property is close to town, yet surrounded by 14-acres of rainforests inthe lush Macal River Valley. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurants & bar Swimming Pools, Tennis, tours of the Green Iguana Exhibit, the medicinal and jungle trails, or bird watching and hiking . Airport Shuttle Services , Canoeing, Parks and Reserves.

24. duPlooy's Located 5 miles away from Western Highway heading Belize City get on the Western Highway and head west for about 72 miles. Type of services provided: accommodations, Restaurants & bar, Birding, Swimming Pools, canoeing , spectacular caves, go birding or horseback riding across the Belizean countryside.