~drigo : evolution apprentice

Re: Practical tips for earning revenue at eco-adventure resorts

~drigo said Oct 22, 2006, 8:09 AM:
 

Just came back from another trip.  Two in the last two weeks.  One with 40 people! - A few friends decided to celebrate their birthdays there and invited their friends to come aboard.  And the one this last weekend with just 10 folks, but a great group.  Saw a turtle for the first time, a couple of curious octopus', and a strange creature that looks kind of like a stretched out seahorse.  Both trips were economically feasible, and I used some profits for the first trip to invest in more mattresses, sheets, pillows, and some renovations. 

I'd love to be creating value through a website which could generate income.  I've got the designs together for our website, and am planning to begin building it over the next few days during the Muslim Idul Fitri / Lebaran holidays.  But I still can't quite grasp how to make money over the site except to use it as a vehicle for marketing United Adventure's services, or to allow selected advertising.

I do have another idea on a type of membership that could generate income, however.  Basically, it combines adventure travel with personal mastery software and life planning (setting, keeping track of goals, etc), and a membership that generates priviliges at restaurants, bookstores, etc.. an alliance of concious partners. 

I like the payment plan option… but what would be the benefits of the emotional on-line membership?  Could you participate in forum discussions?  Could you vote on where to place the trampoline, or on the design of a new bathroom? 

As you said, Bill, making money from tourists and visitors is the focus for now - as it generates most of the income.  So all my efforts are focused on securing a contract that satisfies all the stakeholders - the existing partners who share time with me, the two owners who have separate interests (father and son), the investor who will put up usd 10 - 15 thousand for improvements, and the family on the island that looks after the place.  Besides that, renovation plans and marketing are the two secondary focuses.

Our next weekend is on the 4th-5th of November and will be an energizing weekend course.  More about this soon…