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The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Digital Traveler ~ Asia Pacific eNewsletter, June 2006www.ecotourism.org
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Ecolodge Guidelines for Japan
By Masaru Takayama, Director, Japan Ecolodge AssociationThe
Japan Ecolodge Association (ECOLA)
(www.ecolodge.gr.jp) released the first
EcolodgeGuidelines
developed specifically for Japan on June 18, 2006 at its annual general meeting inKyoto. The tourism ambassador to the city of Kyoto joined ECOLA members and Board of Directors to celebrate the launch of the guidelines.The Ecolodge Guidelines comprise of a checklist of 110 items, covering six categories(Environmental Sustainability; Food and Beverage; Reduction of Wastes and Recycling; SavingEnergy and Water; Green Purchasing; and Environmental Conservation). The first five categoriescomply with the Green Purchase Network's Guidelines for Hotels and Inns(www.gpn.jp/English/guidlines/GL15.html).Founder and Executive Director of ECOLA, Masaru Takayama, foresaw the need for ecolodgeguidelines for the Japanese market as the demand for high quality responsible travel andaccommodation is growing in the domestic market. “Japanese have been guilty, in general, of developing nature lodges and resorts at the cost of the surrounding environment,” he comments,“It’s about time we revisited our tradition and cultural heritage that cherish nature – like a Buddhaimage in a temple, we should praise nature at a distance, and only approach closely in a properlyrespectful and thoughtful manner”Development of the ECOLA Ecolodge Guidelines began in 2003 with input from stakeholders of various disciplines and walks of life who supported the concept – from ecolodges owners toecotourism consultants, energy conservation experts, ISO specialists, GIS experts, outdoor  photographers, a web-designer and engineer, a green purchasing expert, a temple carpenter and anorganic farmer. A draft of the Guidelines was sent out for public comment, and finalized in Aprilthis year.The Guidelines are designed for small- and medium-sized accommodations located in naturalareas with either in-house or local professional ecotour guides showcasing the natural attractionsaround the lodge and providing interpretation about the lodge’s best practices and information onhow to implement or improve sustainability initiatives.
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