Rob and Alix Crapper, Owners/Managers

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Main area of focus in Caring for the Destination:  

The guesthouse itself is built mostly from fallen trees, including the planting of 100 seedlings for every tree used; low impact electric resources are used; has developed & maintained an organic garden; sources goods & services from the local community; involved in the employment & training of local people; walking tours are offered and are led by the local chiefs, with all funds going to the guide; and puts on “local nights”, which feature traditional foods, music & dancing.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

When Alix was barely out of her teens, she holidayed on an idyllic tropical island off the coast of New Caledonia. “My dream was cast: I knew then that one day I would build my own guesthouse on a similar island and it would be in harmony with its surrounds.”  This intrepid couple worked tirelessly to create the financial base to build their dream project. They searched the pacific and found Vanuatu where they discovered the island of Epi. With their three young children, Rob and Alix started building the Epi Guesthouse.

“We have throughout our lives been practical environmentalists by minimizing our impact on natural resources. We approached the Guesthouse project with four core objectives: 1. Everything we did in building the guesthouse had to be questioned and evaluated: was it the most ecological responsible way to do it? 2. All employment in regards to building and operating the guesthouse had to be first offered to the indigenous people. 3. The guests that would come, had to be provided with the purest environmental and cultural experience that was possible ie., organic grown goods, local interaction, etc. 4. We had to make a profit otherwise we could not sustain it. Start up capital? Well, no bank would lend on such a “business plan out of Woodstock” so we financed everything ourselves.”

In 1999 our dream became a reality, Epi Guesthouse was built mostly from fallen trees. We replanted a hundred tree seedlings for every tree taken from the forest.

All our electrical power is derived from “Rob’s creek micro-hydro power plant” which supplies 240 volts without the use of batteries. We draw off what power we require and the remaining power is dumped through a heating element, on top of which is our drying box where we preserve fruits, nuts, herbs and meat (Jerky) for use in the guesthouse.

All of our fruit and vegetables are produced in our organic garden. We are regularly freezing, bottling, drying or giving away to locals, any excess produce.

We don’t grow local “kaikai” (NiVanuatu island food), and buy such vegetables as yam, manioc, taro, etc from the locals, as well as all our beef, pork, and seafood, providing a regular income for many locals. All our water is from a natural pure spring.

All of our staff comes from the nearest village; we provide training in building and carpentry skills, gardening and cooking., etc.

All of our walking tours are guided by the chief of the local village. All tour revenue goes to the tour guide.

We regularly hold what we call “island nights”, where our staff cook the evening meal in traditional ground ovens, the local string band comes from the village, with their wives and children, and we listen and dance to island music while we offer our guests the chance to try the local kaikai. The fun and relaxed interaction with the locals ensure these nights are always a great success.