The Green Wave. Jungle Experiences: A Shared Commitment to Sustainable Tourism

September 20, 2019 - 6 minutes read

 

A shared commitment

A commitment to sustainable management and responsible tourism leads Jungle Experiences to work intensively with local communities in the Peruvian Amazon, providing them with resources to improve their quality of life and training them to conserve their rainforest environment, which is, in turn, their livelihood.

Responsible ecotourism practices

Jungle Experiences follows responsible ecotourism practices including:

1. Wildlife Conservation

• • Support for the Manatee Rescue Center (CREA) in Iquitos, which rehabilitates orphaned Amazonian manatees and other animals.
  • An August 2019 donation of US$22,000 to Amazon Forever Organization for the construction of an educational arapaima fish pond to raise awareness among the local population, especially children, of the importance of this emblematic species, and encourage their collaboration in its conservation by respecting closed seasons and minimum catch sizes that contribute to sustainable fishing.
  • Skiffs use silencers to minimize noise pollution that affects wildlife in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve and it is strictly forbidden to touch wildlife during excursions.

2. Water and Energy Conservation

• Jungle Experiences encourages all passengers to refresh their towels only when necessary and asks passengers not to waste electrical energy.

3. Waste Treatment & Eco-Friendly Products

• Jungle Experiences uses wastewater treatment systems on all of its riverboats. Waste is treated with a smart sanitation system and storage tanks (domestic wastewater treatment plant or PETARD) that meet IMO and U.S. Coast Guard standards. The result is 100% clean and sterile water that can be safely discharged into rivers. Remaining waste is recycled or responsibly disposed of upon disembarkation.
• Only biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products (ECOLAB) are offered aboard the riverboats.

4. Recycling

• In a bid to eradicate the use of plastics, all passengers are given reusable metal water bottle.
• All waste generated aboard riverboats (plastics, organic waste, cardboard, paper, batteries) is carefully sort waste for recycling

Tourism has tremendous transformative power over regions and cultures. Jungle Experiences understands that making sure that this transformation is positive for both the land and the people who inhabit the rainforest is part of its corporate responsibility. For that reason, the company is deeply committed to protecting the ecosystem and its inhabitants.

What actions does Jungle Experiences to conserve the Amazon?

• Raising consciousness and awareness about the importance of conservation.

Its naturalist guides give environmental talks to children in indigenous communities in order to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the Amazon and the natural resources that it makes available to us.

• Economic development in collaboration with local communities.

Artworks created by the women of San Francisco village — a indigenous community located on the Ucayali River — are used to decorate Jungle Experiences’ riverboats and can also be purchased at onboard shops. Proceeds from sales help support a school where the future of the villagers is formed.

• Supporting the Association for the Conservation of Amazonian Biodiversity (ACOBIA).

The company contributes to the association through donations that facilitate its conservation activities. ACOBIA works with the local communities to enhance their direct contact with nature and awareness about the value of natural resources and the biodiversity that nature provides.

Jungle Experiences encourages local communities to be a factor of change through programs like 3R campaigns (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) carried out by staff paramedics and naturalists during village visits every two months. A full 80% of Jungle Experiences employees are from Iquitos and nearby communities.

25 years of experience in the Amazon region

Jungle Experiences has more than 25 years of experience in the Amazon region, designing unique experiences and offering cruise packages that take passengers along the Amazon River and its tributaries. The rainforest of northern Peru is an unequaled place that offers a perfect balance between comfort and nature while inviting visitors to discover every detail of its culture, flora, fauna, history, and gastronomy.

A deep love for the Amazon

Everyone who works at Jungle Experiences shares a deep love and respect for the Amazon, its landscapes and people. They also share a strong commitment to professionalism and the passenger experience. Client satisfaction depends on every crew member. That’s why all onboard staff is local — people who know the region’s flora, fauna, and communities better than anyone else in order to give passengers the best possible experience in the heart of the Amazon.

Tags: Green Cruise Companies, Sustainability in the Amazon, Sustainable Cruise companies in the Amazon