Jungle Bay Resort and Spa is a leading ‘green’ tourism destination on Dominica. The founders Samuel and Glenda Raphael demonstrate that you can create a sustainable tourism business which focuses on ‘environmental’, ‘social’ and ‘economic’ sustainability.
Environment
“Jungle Bay Resort and Spa was built and is operated in alignment with international sustainable tourism guidelines. As an alternative to traditional Caribbean tourism, the focus is on enjoyable nature-based activities and wellness of guests with quality service, guided by the principles as set by The International Ecotourism Society.”
Social
“Jungle Bay has established an on-site education program for staff to encourage a healthy growth academically in tourism. In August 2005, Jungle Bay committed to financing high school tuition fees for all students in the Carib Territory, the Caribbean’s last remaining indigenous people… Last year the jungle bay family (owners, staff & guests) generously contributed $53,000 ec dollars as a seed grant to begin the development of a community operated facility for indigent children with severe disabilities from Dominica’s southeast. We recently broke ground and are completing the foundation of the new House of Hope.”
Economic
“Jungle Bay employs 59 full-time employees, which encourages capacity building and economic growth of the immediate surrounding communities. With the help of our on-site education and training programs, 7 local staff members have been promoted to middle management positions. Jungle Bay also employs local artisans for various ongoing projects around the resort…In January 2006, Jungle Bay Resort and Spa launched the Southeast Entrepreneur Loan Fund (SELF), which allows 10-15 local entrepreneurs to borrow up to $12,000 EC for business activities such as organic produce, seafood, local arts/ crafts production and guiding of cultural tours and hikes that can contribute to the Jungle Bay services.”
