Sustainable Business in South America An International MBA

Sustainable Business in South America An International MBA Investigation in the Amazon Rain Forest
It’s the longest and mightiest of the world’s rivers, flowing through the planet’s largest tropical rain forest. But the colossal Amazon basin is under siege in ways that could alter the face of the planet, making it the scene of one of the most important human adventures imaginable.
Jean‐Michel Cousteau (2008), Jean‐Michel Cousteau Ocean Adventures: Return to the Amazon, KQED Public Broadcasting and Ocean Futures Society.
Guided by Rhan Flatin
with Harold Daniel Director the UMS Center for Tourism Research and Outreach (CenTRO)
Associate Professor, Maine Business School
and Stephanie Welcomer
Associate Professor, Maine Business School
For the University of Maine Business School MBA Program
Our Primary Destination
• Manaus is an economic powerhouse, the eighth largest city in Brazil and the center for 60% of northern Brazil's economic activity, with a total revenue of about $28 billion per year. 6 days in and around Manaus and
4 days in the Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve
Our Travel Area in Brazil
The Mamiraua Reserve – Ecotourism Region
Why this Trip is Important
Video
Travel Goals
Expose you to new cultures, new business forms, identify best management practices
• Identify and learn about models of sustainable business practiced in the Amazon Rain Forest
• Seek answers to questions about …
– government policy supporting the development of sustainable businesses – management, financing, training
• One important sustainable business model is Eco‐Tourism
• Determine how successful eco‐tourism has been for the Brazilians in helping to preserve – the Amazon Rain Forest and – the cultures of its native populations • Determine how Brazil has built their eco‐tourism industry, – one of the leading global examples of this business form in the world. These are questions with important parallels for Maine.
Comparisons Maine, USA
Amazonas, Brazil
Heavily Wooded State, w/ Wood Products Heavily Wooded State, w/ Wood Products Industry
Industry
Rural Population
Rural Population
Native Populations
Native Populations
Historically Agricultural & Forestry Economy
Historically Agricultural & Forestry Economy
“Boom & Bust Economy” – Timber
“Boom & Bust Economy” – Rubber
Major Pressure to Preserve the State’s Natural Environment
Major Pressure to Preserve the State’s Natural Environment
Strong Ethic to Preserve the State’s Cultural Heritage
Strong Ethic to Preserve the State’s Cultural Heritage
Emerging Eco‐Tourism Industry
Established Eco‐Tourism Industry
Pine Tree Development Zones
Zona Franca
What lessons can we learn and bring back for application
in Maine?
Organization of the Trip
• Zona Franca (The Manaus Free Trade Zone)
– Development of Sustainable Businesses
– Organizations that Are … Managing the Amazon Like a Business
• Eco‐Tourism
– A Sustainable Business Model
Organizations You Will Visit
Hyper‐Links are for English Language Web Sites for Each Organization
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Free Trade Zone
– Technos Leading world wide watch maker with 35% share of the market
– Su Frama Economic Development Corporation – Manages Free Trade Zone
– Fucapi The Foundation Center for Analysis, Research and Technological Innovation –
Responsible for Technology Development & Higher Education
– Amazon Biotechnology Center (CBA) Responsible for Technology Transfer •
Non‐Governmental Organizations
– INPA (Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia)
– Arrow Rain Forest Foundation
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Eco‐Resorts
– Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve
– Uacari Lodge
– On the Rio Negro
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Ariau Amazon Towers
Amazon Eco‐Park Jungle Lodge
TIWA Amazonas Ecoresort
Amazon Riverside Hotel
The Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge
Additional Links
• Uacari Floating Lodge
– Trip Advisor w/ Photos
– Tropical Nature Travel
– Attila & Lauri at the Lodge – Slide Show
• Mamiraua Sustainable Development Reserve
– The Good Travel Co. Review
You Will Also Visit
• Mercado Adolfo Lisboa (Manaus)
– The world’s largest freshwater fish market
• Zoological & Botanical Gardens (Manaus)
• Meeting of the Waters – Where Ecosystems Collide
– Rio Solimoes (Amazon) and Rio Negro
Some People You Will Meet
• American Consular General ‐ Sherre Nelson (UMaine Class of ‘76)
• Patrick Stephenson – Founder: Arrow Rain Forest Foundation
• Miguel Rocha da Silva – Proprietor A Pousada: The Home in Which we Will Stay in Manaus
• Augusto (Gus) Albuquerque – Local Guide & Our Driver • Hugo Hoyos – A Native of Peru: Local Guide
What We Will Do
• Educational Activities
– Pre Travel
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Readings
Meet Local Entrepreneurs
Learn Some Portuguese
Create Eco‐Tourism Evaluation Kit
• Educational Activities
– In Country (Continued)
• Maintain a Daily Journal
• Daily Group Briefings
– Post Travel
• Presentation to the Maine Department of Economic & Community Development
– In Country
• (Possible) Live Case
• Tour the Mercado Adolfo Lisboa in Manaus
• Naturalist Scavenger Hunt
• Eco‐Lodge Evaluation
• Visit Native Villages
• Fun Activities
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Eating New Foods Enjoying New Beverages
Boat Ride
Swimming
Touring
Shopping
Where We Will Stay
“A Pousada”
Where We Will Stay
“Uacari Floating Lodge”
What We Will See
Technos Factory Tour
An Important Consideration
International travel is not without risk to personal health. While most of this trip will feature the most pleasant tropical conditions (no bugs), this trip will feature travel into areas with increased, though modest, risks (e.g., the Mamiraua Reserve). These risks can and will be mitigated via appropriate behavior (use of appropriate clothing, insect repellants as well as screens & netting) and travel medicine. Medical authorities recommend the following steps. We will require all but rabies for your safety.
• Mosquito‐born Infections
Risk is minimized by proper clothing, behavior and insect repellants w/ Deet
– Yellow Fever – Inoculation by Injection Required for Entry into Brazil
– Malaria – Medication Required for this Trip
• Other Infections
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Typhoid – Inoculation Required for this Trip
Hepatitis A – Current Vaccination or Updated Inoculation Required
Hepatitis B – Current Vaccination or Updated Inoculation Required
Rabies – Inoculation Recommended
Consult the US CDC web site for Brazil for more detailed information.
Consult the US State Department web site for information about crime in Brazil.
Carefully consult these sites. We are not visiting the places which have given rise to the language in
these web sites. Nevertheless, it is good to be aware.
Concerns for Mosquito‐Born Diseases
• Quote from Our Tour Guide: Rhan Flatin
– Dengue Fever
• Exposure to dengue there is extremely unlikely, since it's mostly found in the cities and at other times of the year. – Malaria
• Your student is correct in saying that malaria is found in pockets. Those pockets exist in various parts of the Amazon, more so during times later in the year. Exposure to malaria is unlikely in early June, and with the malaria meds, quickly cured. • … the majority of Amazonians have never had it, and I've lived down there for 4 years, often in jungle communities, without taking malarial medication. Like most Brazilians I know, I also have never contracted it. • …the Amazon is different from many parts of Africa where malaria outbreaks are often huge and long‐lasting. Concerns for Mosquito‐Born Diseases
(Continued)
• Quote from Uacari Lodge Web Site
– Tefé is a malaria area (like Manaus), but as the Reserve has a very low population density, the chances of getting malaria in Mamirauá are very small. The project is operational since 1990 and there is no known cases of malaria among the hundreds of researchers and visitors, who have visited the Reserve.
• Quote from Mamiraua Institute (Karen & Cyril)
– An important difference for the traveller: Mamiraua is virtually malaria free. Emphasis added for visability.
There is space for 12 students. First Come, First Served
• If You Are Interested…
– Contact Harold Daniel No Later Than Sept 30 and Confirm Your Intention to Travel to Brazil
– You will Find Videos & Readings On Reserve in the Library
• Likely Departure
– Saturday, June 7, 2009
Probable Itinerary
• Flight From Boston to Manaus
– Saturday, June 6, Depart & Sunday, June 7, Arrive
• Activities In and Around Manaus
– Monday, June 8 •
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Visit Mercado Adolfo Lisboa (Market in Manaus)
Meet American Consular General, Sherre Nelson
Meet Patrick Stephenson, The Arrow Rain Forest Foundation
Welcome Dinner
– Tuesday, June 9
• Visit INPA
• Visit Technos and Other Businesses in the Zona Franca
Probable Itinerary
(Continued)
• Activities In and Around Manaus
– Wednesday, June 10
• Su Frama (Re: Zona Franca & Tourism)
• Fucapi
• Amazon Biotechnology Center (CBA)
– Thursday, June 11
• Visit the Teatro Amazonas (Opera House)
• Live Case Preparation
– Friday, June 12
• Deliver Live Case Presentation
• Touring, Shopping
Probable Itinerary
(Continued)
• Activities Away from Manaus
– Saturday, June 13
• Depart for Tefe
• Depart for Mamiraua by Tour Boat (3.5 hours)
• Check In to the Uacari Lodge
– Sunday, June 14
• Nature Tours & Naturalist Scavenger Hunt
– Monday, June 15
• Group Interviews of Uacari Lodge Staff and Management
• Interview other Tourists at the Lodge
• Visit Local Villages
Probable Itinerary
(Continued)
• Activities Away From Manaus
– Tuesday, June 16
• Return to Tefe by Speed Boat (1.5 Hours)
• Return to Manaus
• Embark on Two day tour of Eco‐Lodges on the Rio Negro by Tour Boat, or Check In at Amazon Eco‐Park Jungle Lodge
– Over night on the Tour Boat in Transit – Open Air, Sleep on Deck in Hammocks (No biting insects)
– Wednesday, June 17
• Second Day Touring Eco‐Lodges on the Rio Negro by Tour Boat
– Group Interviews of Lodge Staff and Management
– Group Interview with Tourists at each Lodge
• Flight From Manaus to Boston
– Thursday, June 18, Depart & Friday, June 19, Arrive