In the world of mindful travel and increased environmental awareness, entrepreneurs and business owners from around the world are increasingly incorporating eco-friendly features and solutions into their businesses, in order to minimize their carbon footprint and raise brand awareness as a greener option for customers.

Such is the prevalent situation in the hospitality industry, with an increasing number of travel accommodations boasting numerous eco-friendly features, predominantly in the realm of energy conservation, but water savings as well. Here are the essential features that make a truly great eco lodge.

What exactly is an eco lodge?

While green hotels and eco lodges are very similar, there is one distinct difference that sets the eco lodge apart from other accommodation types: its location. An eco lodge can be found secluded deep within a natural setting, typically in a forest, or overlooking a mountain range, and even nestled on a riverbank in …

Conchita Perez run an eco-lodge in the Andes with her husband and two kids.

What inspired your move, and how long have you been there?

After travelling for a year around South America, my partner and I fell in love with this little Andean town nestled between the Andes and the Amazon. Ecuador is incredibly biodiverse and has so much to offer in one small country (nearly the same size as New Zealand), with the Amazon, Andes, coast and Galapagos Islands – it’s like a mini-South America in one country!

The interesting culture, the easy pace of life and relative stability of the economy made this a very attractive place for us to put down roots. We wanted to lead a simple life and be able to raise our kids without the financial pressure which seems to cloud everyday life for many people. We’ve been living here permanently for seven …

Pheasant hunting is a hobby that is bringing in millions of dollars each year. Every hunting season, hunters from different parts of the world check in to the pheasant hunting lodges ready for a hunt that would linger in their memories for years to come. It therefore means that starting a pheasant hunting lodge business will not only help you generate a lucrative income but also is a fantastic way to share the passion of pheasant hunting with those of like mind.

If you are thinking of starting a lodge for pheasant hunters, here are some tips that can help you start and run a successful business.

1. Availability or proximity to pheasant hunting grounds

The first thing to consider when starting a pheasant hunting business is the availability of pheasant hunting grounds. If you have a vast land that is currently not utilized in a productive way then this …

Just like any other business, there’s going to be competition when starting up a small hotel or bed and breakfast, which means you need a careful business plan and good organisational skills. Have a look at the following tips and things you need to know.

Do your research

How is your hotel going to stand out from others? You need to decide what kind of a business it is that you are going to be running and how you can make it stand out from already existing competitors.

For example, if you are thinking about opening a bed and breakfast, you should research which other B&B’s are nearby and have a look at their services and reviews. If they have negative reviews in a specific area, this is something you’ll want to pick up on in order to give your future guests something that another business can not.

Also, make …