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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/social-enterprise-network/2013/jul/23/brazil-ecotourists-aid-sustainability
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Brazil's eco-tourists keep social enterprises successful and sustainable | Brazil's eco-tourists keep social enterprises successful and sustainable |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| In part one – Brazil's social entrepreneurs are making the most of safer favela conditions | In part one – Brazil's social entrepreneurs are making the most of safer favela conditions |
| In part two – How to develop eco-tourism and sustainable business in the Amazon rainforest | In part two – How to develop eco-tourism and sustainable business in the Amazon rainforest |
| In part three, Richard Brownsdon investigates the development of ecotourism in the central-west region of Brazil and explains the lessons he learnt from a successful conservation enterprise in the south. | In part three, Richard Brownsdon investigates the development of ecotourism in the central-west region of Brazil and explains the lessons he learnt from a successful conservation enterprise in the south. |
| Become a specialist | Become a specialist |
| Juca Ygarape, is the founder and owner of Ygarape Tour in Bonito, in the central-west region of Brazil. He personally discovered many of the natural attractions that have made Bonito famous for ecotourism. Because of this, he quickly became the man the Discovery Channel and National Geographic call when they need a local expert. | Juca Ygarape, is the founder and owner of Ygarape Tour in Bonito, in the central-west region of Brazil. He personally discovered many of the natural attractions that have made Bonito famous for ecotourism. Because of this, he quickly became the man the Discovery Channel and National Geographic call when they need a local expert. |
| Develop best practices | Develop best practices |
| Over the years, Ygarape and friends have been responsible for designing many of the guiding principles and best practices that keep Bonito's tourist trade sustainable. | Over the years, Ygarape and friends have been responsible for designing many of the guiding principles and best practices that keep Bonito's tourist trade sustainable. |
| For example, Bonito is famous for its crystal clear waters. Some of the rivers have visibility of 40 metres underwater. Thanks to Ygarape, there's a limit on the number of tourists that can go each day and on the group size. | For example, Bonito is famous for its crystal clear waters. Some of the rivers have visibility of 40 metres underwater. Thanks to Ygarape, there's a limit on the number of tourists that can go each day and on the group size. |
| Snorkelers are reminded not to touch the riverbed as it disturbs the natural environment. They are even asked not to use sunscreen or insect repellent, as they effect the delicate ecology of the water. These steps preserve the environment and still allow it to be shared it with tourists. Ygarape sees huge potential for the area. | Snorkelers are reminded not to touch the riverbed as it disturbs the natural environment. They are even asked not to use sunscreen or insect repellent, as they effect the delicate ecology of the water. These steps preserve the environment and still allow it to be shared it with tourists. Ygarape sees huge potential for the area. |
| Seek new opportunities | Seek new opportunities |
| Ygarape said: "Only about 40 percent of the natural attractions I have already discovered in the Bonito area have been turned into tours. There at least another 50-60 opportunities here for sustainable tourism." | Ygarape said: "Only about 40 percent of the natural attractions I have already discovered in the Bonito area have been turned into tours. There at least another 50-60 opportunities here for sustainable tourism." |
| Running a conservation enterprise in the south of Brazil | Running a conservation enterprise in the south of Brazil |
| The most famous attraction of the south region of Brazil is certainly Iguazu Falls. It is one of the largest, widest waterfalls in the world. However, at the entrance to the Iguazu National Park, there is another attraction for local visitors. | The most famous attraction of the south region of Brazil is certainly Iguazu Falls. It is one of the largest, widest waterfalls in the world. However, at the entrance to the Iguazu National Park, there is another attraction for local visitors. |
| Although less well known, the conservation-focused bird park Parque Das Aves welcomes more than half a million tourists a year. | Although less well known, the conservation-focused bird park Parque Das Aves welcomes more than half a million tourists a year. |
| Carmel Croukamp, director of the park, said: "The bird park is a social and conservation enterprise in the endangered Atlantic Rainforest. We're set right next to the Iguazu National Park, home of the magnificent Iguazu Falls." | Carmel Croukamp, director of the park, said: "The bird park is a social and conservation enterprise in the endangered Atlantic Rainforest. We're set right next to the Iguazu National Park, home of the magnificent Iguazu Falls." |
| 1. Offer a unique experience | 1. Offer a unique experience |
| Croukamp said: "We make our money from tourism, charging entry fees for the unique experience of close contact with native birds in the jungle. This enables us to breed native and endangered species, conduct scientific research and educate locals on the environment." | Croukamp said: "We make our money from tourism, charging entry fees for the unique experience of close contact with native birds in the jungle. This enables us to breed native and endangered species, conduct scientific research and educate locals on the environment." |
| In fact 47 percent of the birds in the park are animals rescued from traffickers and maltreatment and 43 percent have been bred at the park, many of which are endangered species. Parque Das Aves continues to develop forward–thinking 10-20 year programs that will reintroduce these endangered species back into the wild. | In fact 47 percent of the birds in the park are animals rescued from traffickers and maltreatment and 43 percent have been bred at the park, many of which are endangered species. Parque Das Aves continues to develop forward–thinking 10-20 year programs that will reintroduce these endangered species back into the wild. |
| 2. Educate your customers | 2. Educate your customers |
| They are also educating 35,000 school children a year in their expanding environmental education program. The environmental education co-ordinator for the park, Juliana Ebling, is also the president of the Brazilian Environmental Educators Association, and helps the Brazilian government shape its environmental education policy. | They are also educating 35,000 school children a year in their expanding environmental education program. The environmental education co-ordinator for the park, Juliana Ebling, is also the president of the Brazilian Environmental Educators Association, and helps the Brazilian government shape its environmental education policy. |
| She said: "When young environmental educators expand their teaching to more people, to the people they teach and guide, and to the other parts of Brazil, that's when we see attitudes towards the environment change on a large scale. And that's the most rewarding part of the work." | She said: "When young environmental educators expand their teaching to more people, to the people they teach and guide, and to the other parts of Brazil, that's when we see attitudes towards the environment change on a large scale. And that's the most rewarding part of the work." |
| 3. Trust your staff | 3. Trust your staff |
| Many of the staff are former poachers and loggers, some of whom have now become expert bird handlers. Parque Das Aves has put its trust in people who used to make their living smuggling birds. It now employs more than 140 people, passionate about the conservation of the environment and the birds with in it. Croukamp said: "Our staff love what they do with a passion." | Many of the staff are former poachers and loggers, some of whom have now become expert bird handlers. Parque Das Aves has put its trust in people who used to make their living smuggling birds. It now employs more than 140 people, passionate about the conservation of the environment and the birds with in it. Croukamp said: "Our staff love what they do with a passion." |
| Flying high, and optimistic about the future, they are currently constructing the largest free fly aviary in the world, which is due to open in 2014. | Flying high, and optimistic about the future, they are currently constructing the largest free fly aviary in the world, which is due to open in 2014. |
| As all eyes turn to Brazil for the World Cup and the Olympics in the next few years, it is the social entrepreneurs of the country that will be doing the real work to make things better. In every region there is opportunity, positivity and natural beauty. | As all eyes turn to Brazil for the World Cup and the Olympics in the next few years, it is the social entrepreneurs of the country that will be doing the real work to make things better. In every region there is opportunity, positivity and natural beauty. |
| Richard Brownsdon runs Inspiring Adventures. He is a writer, blogger and freelance social enterprise marketing and events specialist. | Richard Brownsdon runs Inspiring Adventures. He is a writer, blogger and freelance social enterprise marketing and events specialist. |
| This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the Guardian Social Enterprise Network, click here. | This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the Guardian Social Enterprise Network, click here. |
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