Eleni Palomeque
Fairleigh Dickinson University Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies
Aixa Ritz
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“Protecting the land for future generations”
Kapawi is a sustainable eco-tourism company in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. The Kapawi Project started in 1993. What makes Kapawi stand out, aside from its sustainable practices, was that the company (Canodros) that planned to run the eco-lodge for 15 years before a planned transfer of ownership of the lodge to the local Achuar community. In 2008, as promised, the lodge was given to the community after years of training young locals in management of the lodge. Kapawi has employed local Achuar members since its inception and also made sure it has had little to no impact on the environment.
At this time, the lodge is run 100% by the Achuar community and has enjoyed continued success since 2008. The management of the lodge now offers training programs for people around the world on subjects such as sustainability, conservation, and administration. Not only does it provide direct employment to those locals who work at the lodge, it also supports the local artisans by providing a marketplace of sorts to sell local Achuar products to visitors.
Kapawi has upended the all-too-common for-profit tourism model of exploiting local communities and carelessly ruining the environment. This approach may not seem outwardly radical, but it is certainly unheard of in most parts of the world. The mutual benefit to society and business goes beyond a simple recycling program and/or financial handouts to locals to keep the community placated.
The lodge has met with great business success because of the unique experience it offers tourists. It expects its visitors to respect and abide by the lodge guidelines. Visitors are given a specific packing list to ensure they arrive and leave with the bare essentials. They are flown into the middle of a rainforest and met by a motorized canoe that takes them on a two hour excursion to the lodge situated down the Capahuari River.
Once there, visitors can choose from a variety of activities, ranging from easy to difficult programs. The sights include a diverse range of flora and fauna that appeals to those interested in the natural environment, photographers, and bird watchers.
Kapawi’s actual business in the Amazon may not be scalable within its current location. It would not make sense to expand operations in its current location because the environmental and social impact would be too great. However, this model could be leveraged in many other locations and managed by one company. This organization inspires action by showing that a for-profit company can enjoy nearly a decade of profits while empowering a community for future generations. By respecting the local environment and culture, they not only foster positive relationships, they also avoid the risk of litigation and negative governmental involvement.
Kapawi uses solar power in conjunction with an established power consumption schedule. It disconnects power at night in certain locations such as the lobby, dining room, and outside pathways. The outdoor lights would disrupt the light cycles of local wildlife, so guests are encouraged to use flashlights if and when they need to leave their hut. In addition, Kapawi uses only biodegradable soaps, detergents, and shampoo. The lodge even uses a water treatment process and houses a water treatment plant that facilitates the sewage drainage process.
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