p20 ttg_lux_ecoV2 Wint09 25/11/09 21:12 Page 20
voice of
r
i
p
reason
Matthias Leisinger
t
Head of corporate responsibility,
Kuoni Group
The Ganges is India’s holy river, a place of
pilgrimage for every Hindu. This autumn an
o
international team travelled the river, 1,566
miles from its source in the Himalayas to its
mouth in the Bay of Bengal. The expedition
team was on the water in rigid inflatable boats
for 12 hours a day, and sleeping in tents by the
riverside – and having the time of their lives.
The aim of the expedition was to improve
ec
awareness, showcase the potential of the
region for sustainable tourism and to
emphasise the need to preserve the unique
biodiversity along the Ganges riverbanks. The
project was led by Swiss adventurer Andy
Leemann, who has previously guided similar
expeditions on the Amazon, Mekong, Orinoco
IGUASSU HOTEL’S GREEN REVAMP and Zambezi rivers, and supported by Kuoni
Orient-Express has opened the doors of its second Brazilian property, this one (as well boat manufacturer AB Inflatables and
boasting some of the best eco-credentials in Latin America, reports Alex Coxon. the environmental organisation Green Cross
As part of its £23 million renovation of the Hotel das Cataratas, OE has spent International). The Ganges expedition has
£2.5 million on environmental initiatives to enhance the Unesco-listed Iguassu documented the state of the river and also
National Park in which the property is situated. These included the underground visited pilot “cleaning up” projects by the
relocation of overhead electricity cables, refurbishment of the park gate entrance and World Wide Fund for Nature.
the construction of a six-mile cycle path from the park entrance to the hotel. By taking part in this expedition, Kuoni felt
The hotel is on the doorstep of what is considered to be the last extensive tract of we were underlining our commitment to
Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, and another OE-driven initiative has been the foundation corporate responsibility in the areas of climate
of an eight-year “Iguassu carnivores” project, which tracks the movements and change and water scarcity. Moreover, the
behavioural patterns of national park carnivores such as giant anteaters, pumas, expedition showed where the future of travel
jaguars and panthers with a view to securing their long-term survival. lies: lasting experiences and responsible
There are also plans for the property to apply for ISO14001 and SA8000 encounters with people and the natural world.
accreditation in 2010 which, if successful, will mean Hotel das Cataratas is the first in Today’s travellers are seeking a deeper
South America to hold global awards for sustainability. meaning to what they do and how they
Outside of the environmental work, the hotel itself has been completely explore the world, and they are putting an
overhauled to make the most of its enviable location just two minutes’ stroll from ever-growing emphasis on personal values
the world-famous Iguassu Falls. such as responsibility, fairness, knowledge,
The 193 rooms, including 15 suites, have been refurbished to the highest standards sustainability and time. Luxury adventures
in Portuguese style with paintings of local flora and fauna by celebrated Brazilian artist today are about enriching people’s lives.
Ludmilla de Montes. There are also two new restaurants and a spa that uses the But what’s next? The Ganges river is still
famous Brazilian beauty range Natura (hoteldascataratas.com). facing challenges day by day. The expedition
however, has shown that knowledge to save its
unique biodiversity is there and has proven to
be successful. The Ganges is the perfect
ECO TIPS
GORILLAS IN OUR MIDST Baobab Expeditions has unveiled three destination for sustainable tourism and
itineraries aimed at tourists interested in animal conservation. The African Safaris programme guests who want a special experience of
includes exclusive treats such as a visit to the Karisoke Research Centre in Rwanda – the only the real India. But this is conditional on all
gorilla research centre in the world (baobabexpeditions.com). PRIVATE FOREST Seychelles the plans to clean up the river being
eco-retreat Fregate Island Private is celebrating having planted its 100,000th tree since implemented soon. There is still a long way
reforestation began on the island 11 years ago. The resort houses the largest endemic tree to go – but another step has been taken.
nursery in the Indian Ocean (fregate.com). TOP OF THE WORLD Peru’s first ever eco-lodge,
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica, has opened its Canopy Tree House. Guests at the carbon-neutral
“The Ganges is still
lodge in the Tambopata National Reserve can stay in the two-person tree house, 30m above
ground. Prices start at £180pp per
facing challenges
night (inkaterra.com). GREEN TALK
Abu Dhabi has been announced as the day by day”
host location for the World Green
Tourism Congress in December 2010, a
forum to discuss environmental issues
and showcase examples of best
practice (worldgreentourism.com).
PITCHING CAMP New Mexico aims
to be a world-class eco-tourism
destination with the launch of the US’s
first tented safari camps in summer
2010. The low-impact camps will form
a key component in the state tourist
board’s new eco-tourism programme
20
(newmexico.org/ecotourism).
in the know
winter 09 ttgluxury.com
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