Organic Farming
November 24, 2009
http://www.fourthway.co.uk/posters/
interesting website with different methods of organic farming for 3rd world countries.
Earth University Concepts
November 17, 2009
Costa Rica
November 12, 2009
Multipurpose Learning Bus (mobile classroom)Sarah and Luke want to move around and venture to different areas. They want to learn more about the volcanoes, how it effects the agriculture, and surrounding habitats. Deciding whether to do this as a non-school assignment, it just could not be done without a vehicle and resources. With their luck, they saw the Learning Bus on the course list, they both signed up. Because of the curriculum, the class requires a bus with lab equipment in order for students to learn more about the volcanoes nearby. This mobile classroom has a scheduled route, going in and out of the volcanic site daily. The professor is a highly trained bus driver and a volcanic analyst, who studied all the volcanoes nearby campus. This course meets in classroom and sometimes on the road. There will be occasional over the weekend trips with other students from the La Flor campus. The bus provides a connection between the two campuses and also the students to the actual environments.
McDonald’s Catering
In Costa Rica, McDonald’s went area specific in the local neighborhood. Being area specific, McDonalds looked into the local food and have broaden their menu. Samantha a mother of four, was hosting a birthday party for one of her sons, Nick. Nick loves McDonalds as well as mom’s home cooking. So Samantha had McDonalds cater their special Costa Rican menu to Nick’s birthday party. Their local McDonalds had a kids menu that had animal toys that were endangered in Costa Rica. With small fun facts and animated animal characters on the bag, Samantha thought it would be a great way to connect the children with their surroundings.
Farming Tourist Attraction
Letty and John came to Costa Rica as ecotourists. It was their first time here so they went with the tour guides suggestion to visit a small local farm that was open to visit. At first it sounded strange to the couple, because the thought of a farm meant, the southern states. However going to a farm in a South American country? Strange at first, but during Letty and John’s visit, they learned of the new animals and local crops that they have never seen before. The most interesting part of the farm was its wine section. They learned the history of wine and tasted different exotic wines of Costa Rica. (Farmers could know where their crops could end up being sold or located, through some mobile device?)
Ecotourism Costa Rica
November 10, 2009
International Support – Finally, the development of Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry was both politically and financially supported by the IMF, World Bank, and the United States. For instance, the US Agency for International Development has long been active in promoting environmental protection and ecotourism in Costa Rica by training park rangers and guides, funding conservation efforts, and setting up the Agricultural School for the Humid Tropical Region, or EARTH by it’s Spanish acronym. (USAID, 1996). In addition, the World Bank recently approved a $40 million loan for Costa Rica, a large portion of which will focus on ecotourism, including a unique program of paying landowners not to cut down their forests. (Dulude, 2000). This international support, along with a solid credit rating with international lenders, gives Costa Rica a degree of financial stability in handling the substantial costs of developing an ecotourism industry.
Ecotourism Costa Rica
November 10, 2009
Be a Savvy Traveler!
Each vacation you take is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the places you visit. Anyone can be a responsible traveler! You can get back to nature, or bathe in luxury…hike into the rainforest, or explore the city…stay close to home, or travel to the exotic location of your dreams. Responsible travel provides many options, and is often very affordable. By using socially and environmentally responsible tour operators, hotels and outfitters, you can ensure that your trip contributes to conservation efforts and to the well being of communities. Your travel choices make a difference. On this way, Greenway Nature Tours has a selected a group of special suppliers that have an environmental commitment as well. At least 50% of our lodging contractors had been certified as Green Companies by the Costa Rican Tourist Board (Certification in Sustainable Tourism CST).
CST is regulated by the Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission and consists of a scale of 5 “levels” of sustainable tourism achievement.
There are a growing number of conscientious consumers and responsible travel companies who are donating financial resources, time, talent and economic patronage to protect and positively impact the cultures and environments they visit. This voluntary movement is becoming known as Travelers’ Philanthropy.
Travelers’ or travel philanthropy, as it’s also commonly known, is helping to support community development, biodiversity conservation, and other environmental, socio-cultural and economic improvements including providing jobs, educational and professional training opportunities, health care and environmental stewardship.
* Government budgets and international aid is decreasing in some developed and many undeveloped countries, increasing the level of need.
* Protecting the environmental and socio-cultural needs of host countries strengthens relationships and improves business.
* Almost 90% of the U.S. population state that it is important for companies to not just be profitable, but to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society (Source: Corporate Social Responsibility: Consumer Understanding and Influence, Natural Marketing Institute, 2005)
* Industry leaders who have strong environmental and social values and ethics are pioneering the movement.
* Growing movement toward corporate responsibility as it improves market differentiation and increases consumer demand.
Ecotourism Costa Rica
November 10, 2009
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism is not just limited to areas of ecological significance, but actively aims to reduce negative impacts in a holistic way, in urban, rural, and wilderness areas. Issues confronted include economic viability, socio-cultural sensitivity, and environmental sustainability, at destinations of natural and cultural significance, in both mass tourism and the various niche tourism segments. Sustainable tourism not only examines and responds to the needs of the present, but how current actions will also reduce negative impacts in the long term.
What is Ecotourism?
Ecotourism is a type of sustainable tourism that emphasizes conserving nature and improving the lives of local people in rural and wilderness areas.
When we visit beautiful places it’s natural to want our holidays to have a positive impact on local people and their environments.
Responsible travel is about more authentic holiday experiences that enable you to get a little bit more out of your travels, and give a little bit more back to destinations and local people. All holidays have positive and negative impacts locally. Responsible travel maximises the benefits, and minimises the negative effects of tourism.
Ecotourism Costa Rica
November 10, 2009
Ecotourism Principles
TIES defines ecotourism as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.” This means that those who implement and participate in ecotourism activities should follow the following principles:
- Minimize impact
- Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
- Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local people
- Raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climate
- Support international human rights and labor agreements
Ecotourism means ecological tourism , where ecological has both environmental and social connotations. It is defined both as a concept-tourism movement and as a tourism (specifically sustainable tourism ) section.
Born in its current form in the late 1980′s, Ecotourism came of age in 2002, when the United Nations celebrated the “International Year of Ecotourism”. The meeting was a watershed event, but it was not created with those who had pioneered the niche.
There are various definitions as this is a vibrant movement and ecotourism may be defined by its lack of definition.
Generally speaking, ecotourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures, volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on the planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna, and cultural heritage are the primary attractions. Responsible ecotourism includes programs that minimize the adverse effects of traditional tourism on the natural environment, and enhance the cultural integrity of local people. Therefore, in addition to evaluating environmental and cultural factors, initiatives by hospitality providers to promote recycling, energy efficiency, water re-use, and the creation of economic opportunities for local communities are an integral part of ecotourism.
EZMEAL RFID
October 15, 2009
Restaurant VIA RFID or Bluetooth.
October 13, 2009
- A defined problem statement (what is the need you are addressing with this experience?)
A quicker way to take orders in the restaurant, for those people who know what they want in their favorite restaurant. - Narrative of the idea (what is the user’s journey through this experience?)
The user will sync their mobile device with the RFID reader on the dining table or bluetooth network in the restaurant to order their needs.
Before all this happens, the user will look at an online menu at home to order what they want before hand they get to the place. - List of experience touchpoints
-User using mobile device + computer to log their meals onto mobile device
-User getting to restaurant requesting a quick order check out.
-User placing mobile device to the RFID reader or Bluetooth to sync their meals to the main kitchen
-Chef will see uploads and requests and follows up
-Meals can also be paid by mobile device
-Feel good after nice meal - The materials/media/technologies that the experience will use
-Computer
-Mobile Device
-RFID reader
-Bluetooth - The location(s) that the experience will take place in
-Home
-Restaurant - The industry the experience relates to (healthcare? tourism? etc.)
-Food
-Catering
-Restaurant - The target audience of the experience
The Target audience will experience the need of a computer and internet application as well as a mobile application.
Going to the restaurant, and asking for quick service table (RFID + Bluetooth Enabled)
User connecting with RFID reader or Bluetooth Sync
Chef or kitchen workers receiving orders + requests
Paying with Mobile Device for quick experience
Benefits of all this:
| Easy Payment |
Cashless payment solutions for trouble-free transactions with leading-edge technology solutions such as counter devices, drive thru window devices, and kiosks that handle all types of payment media.
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| Quick Service |
| More satisfied customers with increased throughput using point of sale solutions. |
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| Relationship and Merchandising Opportunities |
| Dynamic customer interaction contributes to a better shopping experience. |
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| Secure Transactions |
| Cashless payment technologies provide a safe way to do business. |
Via: Gilbarco |
