NEWS
Geotourism Investment Fund Unveils Inaugural Venture in Ecuador
 Quito, Ecuador (September 22, 2008) – The Geotourism Investment Fund unveiled its inaugural venture of a hot spring and ancient medicinal ecolodge project this month with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with the community of Oyacachi—a small, indigenous community of 400 people located in the located in the highlands of the Andes in northeastern Ecuador. The ecolodge is a partnership between the community of Oyacachi, the Government of Ecuador, the Geo-Heritage Group, the Geotourism Investment Fund, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance.
The Cayambe Coca Ecological reserve is home to over 900 species of birds and exotic mammals, such as the condor, speckled bear, and the dwarf deer. The village of Oyacachi, located within the reserve, is known for its thermal hot springs and is home to traditional Quichua language speakers. Legend has it that two families met here to establish the Oyacachi community, one from the highlands (the Parion family), the other from the rainforests in Oriente (the Aigaje family). While it may sound like a charming story, almost all of the village’s Quichua-speaking residents are still associated with one of these names.
During the signing of the MOU, Kit Carstens, President of the Geo-Heritage Group stated “We are committed to this new partnership with the community of Oyacachi while providing an off-the-beaten-path luxury experience which will entice travelers looking for new and authentic experiences. The ecolodge will allow visitors to learn about native cultures and explore new environments while benefitting the local people.”
Official ground breaking for the resort is expected to take place in early 2009 with a projected opening of January 2010. The resort will be carbon neutral and constructed using local materials in a style that emphasizes the distinctiveness of Andean Culture and the surrounding biodiversity.
Fantastic adventure opportunities await guests to this exclusive 15-bungalow ecolodge. Oyacachi is located within the 2,500 square mile Cayambe-Coca Ecological Reserve, and is home to such endangered species as the speckled bear, dwarf deer, the mountain toucan, and dozens of other rare and endemic species. From the cloud forest to the Andean Paramo,the area offers world-class hiking, rappelling, rivers, a dozen waterfalls and more. Oyacachi is also rich in cultural heritage and is especially known for its talented wood carvers and hospitable community. Within the ecolodge guests will be pampered by luxurious spa facilities, natural thermal hot springs and ancient indigenous healing practices utilizing over 120 nearby healing plants.
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