Travel destinations the world over vary just as much as our footprints do. Day dreams of escaping life's craziness and responsibilities to be there - that place where life is perfect, are a great motivation. So, where is "there" for you? Is it, by chance a remote area in the tropics where the surf is amazing, the climate always warm, the people kind, the food healthy and delicious, all the while being surrounded by nature?
Well, it turns out, you're not alone. The majority of travelers want more sustainable options which we, are so happy to hear! Finding unique eco-tourism destinations is a bit like finding an honest person in a penitentiary - they exist but there's no easy way to find them. People ask us all the time what makes us an eco resort and what actually ISan eco resort. Don't worry, you can go to my past story to get more answers to that question but it has been fun talking to our guests about how they found us and why they seek out eco resorts. So, there's a bazillion reasons we love eco resorts but here are the top 5 that have bubbled to the top lately:
Organic chemicals are commonly used in a lot of applications of our daily lives especially in cleaning products. As a result, many people have developed an elevated sensitivity to these chemicals causing discomfort to varying degrees and sometimes so extreme it hinders their ability to travel. Well, we just can't have that so we decided to make a change.
Working with our local and amazing soap lab, we have been able to develop our very own handmade disinfectants, laundry soap, and hand soap so when you enter your hotel room, you'll enjoy the smell of essential oils in your room and on your freshly laundered bedding.
Raising children takes constant engagement, energy, and attention so parents are increasingly looking for travel destinations that are safe and engaging for their kids where they will have the ability to experience something new, learn, and engage in unique experiences that a guide can do instead of them. We have developed an entire program of fun, hands on educational experiences for the kids and the parents alike to learn about this biodiverse environment in ways that inspires everyone to be a part of making this planet a better place.
Single use plastic waste permeates just about every inch of this planet in the form of "forever waste." It's never going away and it haunts all of us. So, avoiding that whenever possible and coming up with creative solutions is critical to the health of our future. Travelers are enjoying the replacement and evolution of old-school room amenities in forward thinking hotels and resorts - like us!
We are so fortunate to have local artisans at the Amazilia Soap Laboratory with whom we have worked with over the years who have created for us their incredible goats milk soap and shampoo bars. Not only that, we also offer a guided tour of their laboratory where guests can learn why and how to make their artful self-care products.
An even bigger and more important waste we avoid are single use water bottles. You can imagine how we feel about those but get this: the water in Panama is safe to drink everywhere except small islands so there's no need for that.
Alternative energy use is an expectation travelers have of their eco travel destinations. This is a big one if you want to consider yourself an eco resort but it's even bigger if you live in a place where energy from the "grid" is totally unreliable.
Solar powered and proud. Our entire resort is powered by solar panels with the exception of our air conditioners. No power, no A/C? No big deal, let the sounds of the monkeys, the surf waves, and birds in through your private screen terrace doors, and turn on the fan. I promise you, you'll embrace the opportunity, and the trees and their breeze are there to cool you off.
The most obvious part of being a sustainable resort is the presence of trees and the biodiversity they support. This is what every traveler thinks of first, expects, wants to hear the story about, and be a part of. There is an entire sector of tourism just for volunteer reforestation projects and it's big but most importantly it's effective.
Planting a tree means an investment in the future, and it's also a way of honoring the past. When you live beneath a canopy of a healthy jungle your body knows. It feels incredible, natural, and the entertainment from the locals is unrivaled.
These are just the top 5 creating change and influencing travel choices. There are so many more inspiring initiatives hotels, resorts, and travel destinations around the world are adopting into their business models and guest experiences. We can only dare to dream this could be the path of all of them into the future.
But as we all know - diversity is the key to our strength and that of the planet. What we do here in Morrillo is to improve what we can here, and inspire our guests and our team to take their experience to make a positive impact on their personal footprint on the world.
Your Friends in Morrillo,
Cari and Ryan Mackey
Owners and Hosts
Morrillo Beach Eco Resort
Comments