Tropic Travel

Tropic Travel is a private, Limited Company that specializes in responsible, community-based eco-tourism. The venture was initiated to demonstrate that environmentally sustainable and culturally sensitive tourism could be a viable business model by pioneering indigenous community tourism with the Huaorani people of the Amazon. As a company whose Raison D’étre is the support and even survival of indigenous cultures, our operation is dedicated to a tourism based on respectful cultural exchange and designed to strengthen local cultures. We are constantly aware of limits and we consequently keep our visitor groups are accordingly small and our facilities intimate in order to avoid cultural contamination of any kind. Our aim is to provide visitors with an intimate experience and to inspire them through educational experiences to become active conservationists (if they aren’t already) and supporters of local indigenous communities. A fundamental element of our policy is ensuring that any communities we work with, as well as its representatives, receive fair economic benefits from tourism. A major portion of the benefits from operations consequently remains within the communities, and care is taken that that income is distributed equitably to the various families and service providers involved. In order to minimize negative impact on unique cultures and a region of vital ecological importance, we provide pre-departure information, an explorers’ guide, bilingual naturalist guides as well as constant follow up during visits to communities. During our clients’ stay in local communities, any waste generated, such as plastics, dead batteries etc. are collected and transported to Quito for proper disposal, thus ensuring that no waste or polluting materials are left behind. We also encourage clients to get involved with locals causes, and groups can, and do, make donations to local conservation efforts through the Conservation in Action Foundation. An innovative partnership with the Huaorani people lead to the establishment of Huaorani Ecolodge (www.huaorani.com), a new form of ecologically friendly development sensitive to local traditions which is co-managed by Tropic and the Huaorani themselves. The structure was opened in January 2008 after a tourism association was formed by the five indigenous communities involved in the project. In order to consolidate the project community members were trained and plans made to produce and sell crafts. After consultations a site was chosen and a Lodge planned and built. Community members work in the Lodge and participate in its management as well as providing services such as laundry, carpentry, and local produce for meals. It is expected that the Lodge will become fully managed by the community within five years. In its first year of operations the initiative won the LATA award as ‘Best Sustainable Tourism Project in Latin America 2008. After that in 2009 the company won the same award and in 2010 as best in innovation by the same organization. At the Responsible Tourism Awards Tropic was highly commended operator for Cultural Engagement and the Huaorani Ecolodge highly commended accommodation for local communities. National Geographic selected Tropic as one of the Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth.