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.

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The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.org email info@ecotourism.org | 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