Eco Tourism

Ecotourism is a proactive tool within our sustainable tourism framework that Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa utilises to protect and preserve the property's natural environments (rainforest, river systems & mangroves), biodiversity, ecosystems and the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, while at the same time generating sustainable business development in the tourism and hospitality operations of the Eco Lodge.

 

What are we responsible for?

  • Sustainable Tourism and Industry
  • Ecotourism Enhancement
  • Indigenous Ecotourism Development
  • Aboriginal Cultural Tourism
  • Aboriginal Affairs
  • Natural and Cultural Resource Management
  • Nature and Adventure Base Tourism
  • National and International Networking

What is our vision?

To ensure that Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa’s natural and cultural environment is ethically managed and profitably operated according to the highest possible international standards, practices and guidelines in sustainable tourism, environmental conservation and biodiversity protection and cultural heritage preservation.

What is our role?

To provide a management, administrative & operational arm in support of Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa framework, in order to support, advise, consult & carry out tasks directly relevant to the protection, preservation & promotion of the natural & cultural environment & the activities carried out within the environments.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a proactive tool within our sustainable tourism framework that Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa utilises to protect and preserve the properties natural (rainforest, river systems, mangroves) environments biodiversity and ecosystems and the rich Aboriginal cultural heritage, while at the same time generating sustainable business development in the tourism and hospitality operations of the Eco Lodge.

We have developed management systems, through policy and protocol frameworks, to ensure best practice techniques, such as energy management, waste management, environmental management, to name a few, is carried out in the day to day business of the lodge.

Of the many strategies we have developed, one, known as the International Compliance Strategy aims to ensure the lodge complies with sustainable tourism standards set by the United Nations, the World Tourism Organisation, World Conservation Union, The International Ecotourism Association, and the World Trade Organisation.

To further our commitment to best practice sustainable tourism and ecotourism, strategic alliances have been developed with various commonwealth and state government departments. One of these departments is the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO). Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa formalised a partnership with AGO under the Greenhouse Challenge which focuses Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa efforts on reducing greenhouse emissions and most importantly, requires Daintree Eco Lodge & Spa to satisfy detailed audits and energy management assessments carried out by AGO.

Ecotourism Initiatives

  • Location: 30 acres of lush rainforest, 90 minutes drive of north Cairns, surrounded by World Heritage Listed Daintree rainforest, adjacent to the Daintree River
  • Design: Architecturally designed buildings to capitalize on the unique site, minimize interruption to the ancient fragile environment and to capitalize on the valley’s own micro-climate
  • Ownership: a small Australian business, family owned and operated. 15 years of sustainable ownership and development as a premium world class tourism product 
  • Crowned "the World’s Leading Eco Lodge” in the 2007 and 2009 World Travel Awards – World Green Category – again the only Australian property!
  • Crowned “Best Spa on the Continent” at the World Spa Awards SpaFinder USA
  • 2009 - Worlds Leading Eco Lodge – World Travel Awards, 2010 - Best Luxury Eco Tourism – Winner - Luxury Travel Magazine, 2010- Top 10 World’s Best Environmental Practices Spa – SpaFinder Reader’s Choice Awards USA, 2011 - Best Luxury Eco Tourism – Winner - Luxury Travel Magazine
  • The Lodge’s has its own self-imposed environmental criteria of practices that minimize environmental impact in line with “RRR” (Reduce, Re-Use, Re-Cycle), built from ACCC guidelines, Responsible Travel Criteria, NEAP, Greenhouse Challenge and World Ecotourism Criteria
  • Self-sufficient pristine water supply for operations and guest usage and with tertiary treated waste management
  • A close relationship with the local rainforest Aboriginal community (the original inhabitants of the site) in preserving and sharing culture and conservation of the environment (including rare A1 rainforest)
  • Benefits to local community include employment and socio-economic outcomes
  • Economic community benefits through use of goods and services and community support
  • Social responsibility to improve Aboriginal wellbeing
  • Quadruple “bottom line” = Social, Culture, Environment, and Economic