estc 2011 presentation by michelle libby, cayuga sustainable hospitality, win-win partnerships
DESCRIPTION
Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) (http://www.ecotourismconference.org) Presentation by Michelle Libby, Sustainability Director, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, presented September 2011. Session: 3.4 Win-Win Partnerships: Connect Locally, Grow Globally. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org), the ESTC is a unique tourism industry annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.TRANSCRIPT
This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the
ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.
Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism
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The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email [email protected] | tel +1 202 506 5033
The Local Flavor Win-Win
Partnerships
Who is Cayuga?
We’re a hotel management company specializing in sustainable lodging experiences– 6 properties (costa rica and nicaragua)– 300 employees– 8 million in sales– based out of san jose, costa rica
Cayuga’s Vision
We will be recognized as the worldwide leader insustainable hospitality management of small upscale
lodges and resorts, consistently exceeding theexpectations of our hotel owners, guests and
employees.
Our Business Model
local approach
smal
l
sustainable
up-scale
What is local for us?
Hiring local
Buying local
Offering local
Helping local
Why the local approach?
It is our way of giving back
…..giving people the opportunity to make a living in the places they are from…..
….helping to reduce migration from rural to urban areas….
….distributing wealth…..
For us…local is essential for sustainability
People and the Planet?
Our staff are the emissaries for sustainability and conservation in
their communities.
hiring
local
buying local
Offering local
helping local
Challenges of going local
• Hiring– Training (increased cost)
• Language, basic job skills
– Cultural perceptive differences (creates delays)• Time• Communication
• Buying and Offering– Limits range of options– Can present quality control challenges
• Helping– Time intensive
Overcoming some challenges
Challenge• Hiring
– Training (increased cost)• Language, basic job
skills
– Cultural perceptive differences (creates delays)• Time• Communication
Process to address• Improved recruitment and
selection process
• Recognize the time issue and plan accordingly
• Work on improved time management, planning, and compliance with staff
• Improved communication – simple language; repetition, confirmation
Overcoming some challenges
Challenge• Buying and Offering
– Limits range of options– Can present quality
control challenges
• Helping– Time intensive
Process to address• Work with suppliers to
improve quality control
• Look for alternatives• Manage expectation
• Build it into yearly workplans and evaluations, and prioritize accordingly
Experience
Learn
Connect
RelaxWith local flavor this
turns into
Why the local approach?
Experience
Learn Relax
Connect