Life is Wild. Discussing the survival of an ecolodge business after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic

1. THE 5th BALI INTERNATIONAL TOURISM CONFERENCE 2021
“SUFFERING & STRATEGY: TOURISM IN THE NEW ERA”
(ONLINE CONFERENCE VIA ZOOM)
16 – 17 NOVEMBER 2021
LIFE IS WILD.
Steve Noakes,
Board of Directors, Ecolodges Indonesia

2. Life can be a wild journey …
On the journey, we adapt to our survival and, after a set-back, our recovery and growth.
NOW … it’s the era of living with & managing pandemics such as COVID-19.
Madhani (2013)
Same for a commercial enterprise like …

3. HQ in
Bali

4. November 2021
The business is still alive
- very few customers
- many charity/not-for-profit type projects
Two years of the COVID pandemic journey for Ecolodges Indonesia
2020: February – Uncertainty
May – new ways to keep the business alive & do good

5. www.visualcapitalist.com/problem-with-our-maps/?utm_source=Visual+Capitalist+Infographics+%28All%29&utm_campaign=59855c2817-EMAIL&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_31b4d09e8a-59855c2817-44147101

6. Government-endorsed charitable non-profit entity: The Indonesia Conservation Foundation – Our World (ICFOW).
MISSION STATEMENT
Maximise our efforts to conserve Indonesia’s fauna and flora especially by providing employment to local
communities around conservation areas.

7. OUR COVID REGULATIONS
Including presentation of a negative test
certificate, temperature checks and cleaning of
hands on-arrival, mandatory wearing of
masks, continuous social distancing and
cleaning all rooms and surfaces after guests
leave.
All our staff had extensive training in all our
regulations and have to self-isolate if they
leave the villages they live to other
destinations.
Has achieved CHSE Certification (Indonesian Ministry of
Tourism and Creative Economy trough Clean, Health, Safety
& Environmental Sustainability).

8. 18 months - no income
Being managed by 5 staff
INDONESIA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION activity:
• ‘Conserve our world’ – has set up a Forest
Management Training Centre at Rimba
• Employs seedling growers, planters, guides

9. Staff of 12 have remained largely intact since 2007
Have all taken large salary cuts during the COVID pandemic
For almost 2 years now lodge has been maintained in excellent condition
Connect 20 international students with villagers living the
Braja Harjosari village
Part of a Homestay option given to guests by Ecosafari Indonesia

10. • Nine (9) A-frame cabins plus restaurant
• No real business since March 2020
• Has been maintained by manager & staff
• Maintains high standards of cleanliness
Specialist birders lodge
Nestled on the edge of the forest & conservation area
Excellent access to a huge area for trekking, birding &
cultural exchanges

11. 21 clean, comfortable private rooms each with
stunning mountain views and the constant soothing
sounds of the rambling river.
We exclusively employ local people who live in the
Moni area – approx 30 staff
We’re dedicated to educating and empowering the
local community in long term conservation and
sustainable development.

13. Slowly open up COVID safe tours.
First tour - Trans Flores Safari.
The itinerary ‘…. will change as we find
COVID SAFE PLACES TO STAY OUTSIDE
OUR TWO LODGES.’

14. Terima kasih
Steve Noakes
Director, Ecolodges Indonesia

15. Contacts:
Gede Ori.
• Director: Ecolodges Indonesia (Bali, Sumatra, Kalimantan,
Flores)
• Direktur Utama, EcoSafari Indonesia
• Chairman, Indonesia Conservation Foundation
reservation@ecolodgesindonesia.com
Steve Noakes.
• Board member: Ecolodges Indonesia
• Chairperson: Binna Burra Lodge, Lamington National Park,
Australia
• Member: Wildlife Tourism Australia
• Member: IUCN Tourism & Protected Areas Specialist Group
stevenoakes1@gmail.com

16. 3 x extra slides

17. ECOLODGES INDONESIA - Empowering Local Community Through Ecotourism (8+ minute video)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzK2Cq8tTw4&ab_channel=EcoLodgesIndonesia