Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC) (http://www.ecotourismconference.org) Presentation by Michelle Libby, Sustainability Director, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, presented September 2011. Session: 3.4 Win-Win Partnerships: Connect Locally, Grow Globally. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (http://www.ecotourism.org), the ESTC is a unique tourism industry annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry.

1. This presentation was presented at the Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference 2011 (ESTC 2011), held in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA, from September 19th-21st. Organized by The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the ESTC is a unique annual conference providing practical solutions to advance sustainability goals for the tourism industry. Learn more about the ESTC: http://www.ecotourismconference.org ESTC on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ESTC_Tourism ESTC on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ESTC.Tourism The International Ecotourism Society | web www.ecotourism.orgemail info@ecotourism.org | tel +1 202 506 5033

2. The Local Flavor Win-Win Partnerships

3. Who is Cayuga? We’re a hotel management company specializing in sustainable lodging experiences 6 properties (costarica and nicaragua) 300 employees 8 million in sales based out of san jose, costarica

4. Cayuga’s Vision We will be recognized as the worldwide leader in sustainable hospitality management of small upscale lodges and resorts, consistently exceeding the expectations of our hotel owners, guests and employees.

5. Our Business Model local approach small up-scale sustainable

6. What is local for us? Hiring local Buying local Offering local Helping local

7. Why the local approach? It is our way of giving back …..giving people the opportunity to make a living in the places they are from….. ….helping to reduce migration from rural to urban areas…. ….distributing wealth…..

8. For us…local is essential for sustainability

9. People and the Planet? Our staff are the emissaries for sustainability and conservation in their communities.

10. hiring local

11. buying local

12. Offeringlocal

13. helping local

14. Challenges of going local Hiring Training (increased cost) Language, basic job skills Cultural perceptive differences (creates delays) Time Communication Buying and Offering Limits range of options Can present quality control challenges Helping Time intensive

15. Overcoming some challenges Challenge Hiring Training (increased cost) Language, basic job skills Cultural perceptive differences (creates delays) Time Communication Process to address Improved recruitment and selection process Recognize the time issue and plan accordingly Work on improved time management, planning, and compliance with staff Improved communication – simple language; repetition, confirmation

16. Overcoming some challenges Challenge Buying and Offering Limits range of options Can present quality control challenges Helping Time intensive Process to address Work with suppliers to improve quality control Look for alternatives Manage expectation Build it into yearly workplans and evaluations, and prioritize accordingly

17. Experience Why the local approach? With local flavor this turns into Learn Relax Connect

18. Experience Learn Relax Connect

19. Hiring Local

20. Hiring Local