6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

Ecolodge Types and Denitions Contact Us About This Site Why Visit an Eco lodge?

Worldwide Ecolodges
Experience Life

Ecolodge Types and Denitions

Ecolodge Types and Definitions

CONTACT
What Is An Ecolodge?
Many people are curious about what is meant by the word ecolodge. The word came into being in the 1990s and was
coined to describe a type of lodge that was distinguished from others by the way it was either constructed or operated, or
both. Since then there have been many different notions and strongly defended opinions of what constitutes the right to
use the eco word.

The ecotourism concept is to operate the enterprise of tourism so that a fair share of the monetary benets stick in the
local host community while reducing the environmental impact and providing the visitor with an enhanced nature based
experience. Ecotourism is strongly linked to conservation and interpretation of the natural world, so it is distinguished
from the more general concept of sustainable tourism.

Many countries and regions have embarked on creating certiable green or sustainable tourism standards, but only
recently has there been any collective agreement on an international basis. This certication standard has been applied
generally to all accommodation facilities in order to raise the level of environmental and social responsibility and so there

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 1/10
6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

is still a gap in dening and classifying an eco-lodge as opposed to simply a green hotel. I have set out our criteria and
have also categorized and described different types of ecolodges.

What To Look For

In general look for these types of attributes in an ecolodge:

It is located in a natural area, or in a rural area within a short distance to a natural area, and is not signicantly impacted
by a townsite, noise, trac, smog or pollution.
It is small, usually less than 30 rooms.
It employs systems that protect the environment from pollution and degradation. ( Also see Green Hotels below)
It often employs energy saving tactics and possibly renewable energy technology.
It employs, or has access to, interpretive nature guides who are either trained in biology or have signicant local
knowledge of the habitat.
It provides books, posters, maps, photographs, orientation talks or other ways to inform guests and visitors about the

CONTACT
biology of the area.
It helps train and employ local people at fair wages.
It helps inform guests, staff and visitors on the importance and value of a healthy ecosystem and describes how to best
enjoy the area without impacting it.
It contributes to the local economy and helps demonstrate that ecotourism is a more sustainable long term way to earn
income than destroying or altering habitats for short term gains.

There are many variations in the types of ecolodges in terms of their purpose, history and expression of ecological values.
This is a description of types of ecolodges that I have come up with.

Model Ecolodges:

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 2/10
6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

CONTACT
Model Ecolodge in Mindo Cloudforest

These are usually designed and built as ecolodges and have well trained staff and professional guides used to dealing with
guests from all backgrounds. They are located in pristine natural locations, often of signicant ecological importance, and
have strong programs of conservation. They have ethical employment practises and contribute to the local economy. They
are also using best technologies to reduce energy and handle waste. Model Ecolodges are also distinctive in these ways, as
opposed to rural or community based ecolodges which have a slightly different purpose.

Ecoresorts:

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 3/10
6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

Ecoresort in USVI

CONTACT
These are often design built but differ slightly in their purpose and location from model ecolodges. They are often based
near the ocean and offer more recreational activities and other personal services (natural health spas, yoga classes, etc.)
as opposed to natural history based ecolodges.

Nature Lodges and Camps:

Alpine Huts of Canada

These small lodges or camps which are located in natural areas, often in beautiful areas, but were designed in earlier times
or for other purposes. Many have been adapted and are maintained for accommodation purposes. They are more or less

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 4/10
6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

unregulated or ungraded, but many do adhere to most ecotourism principles. Services may be limited, for example they
may have no onsite guides, or they may be simple alpine huts or camp sites.

Rural and Village Based Ecolodges and Retreats

CONTACT
Rural Ecolodge in Brazil part of ranch with 20,000 head of cattle

Rural ecolodges usually feature guest services as part of their operation, as opposed to being stand alone hospitality
businesses.

They are usually simple, privately owned accommodations located in rural areas often near nature reserves. Down to earth
hospitality with staff and guides that are local people as opposed to trained career professionals. You can often see
exotic wildlife.

Some eco-reteats are located in small villages and are privately owned by people dedicated to ensuring tourism income is
largely spent locally by hiring local people and by buying as many locally produced goods as possible. They also frequently
support initiatives to improve the welfare and environmental conditions locally. Often these types of facilities have a
nearby attraction like an archeological site or natural attraction such as a wildlife reserve. The video below shows a small
10 room facility in Yucatan.

Maya Experience in Yucatan Eco Lodge

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 5/10
6/14/2017 Ecolodge Types and Definitions Worldwide Ecolodges

Community Based Ecolodges:

Throughout the world there have been several experiments involving communities in tourism projects where the
community has built lodging facilities, developed tours and offers other hospitality services. Some have been funded by
NGOs, some with international development funds and other sources of non-conventional nancing. Some are rural
projects using farm stays, some are village stays using local homes. Buildings are adapted or could be purpose built
structures. All these projects serve to provide income for small communities seeking a more sustainable means to living.

In general, these are very simple, grassroots types of programs and they can be very emotionally satisfying for visitors
from the developed world. But the quality and reliability of service is sometimes inconsistent for many reasons. It can be
more real life as experienced by the local people everyday.

To one person this can be accepted as part of the charm of really experiencing a region and to another it can be a very
unpleasant culture shock. It depends on the attitude you bring to the equation.

Sadly, however, it seems that few of these community based (owned) enterprises last too long. There are many reasons
for failure, and yet there are models for success. Capitalism and communitarianism must nd a good t.

CONTACT
What About Green Hotels?
This is an exciting development in the accommodation industry. Hotels, motels, inns, campgrounds, and bed and
breakfasts all over the world have started to make their businesses greener by either participating in certication
programs or by maintaining memberships green hotel associations which require them to take measures which help
protect the environment. We have made an intense search for such hotels and happily the list is growing. (Green hotels in
Costa Rica, Australia, Canada, The USA, Europe, Ecuador.)

Many measures may take place behind the scenes and include things like energy ecient heating and lighting, waste
reduction, water conservation, use of non-polluting soaps and cleansers, recycling of sheets and linens and a host of
others. Some measures may be more visible such as towel and linens reuse cards in your rooms, notices throughout the
facility on ways visitors can protect the region they are visiting. We therefore use certied green hotels where ever we can
so that we are assured that we are taking responsible steps to keep our tours as eco as possible. For example, the
following list shows how a property in Canada can earn 4 Green Keys as part of the Eco-Rating program adopted by the
Hotel Association of Canada. This program has been widened to Green Key Global and is recognized by the Global
Sustainable Tourism Council.

* Have installed over 90% compact uorescent or comparable high-eciency lighting in the lobby, hallways and other
common areas.
* Have implemented a recycling program that includes at least separating and collecting recyclable material from hotel
guests and meeting clients if applicable.
* Have installed in all guestrooms and public washrooms at least two of the following three: low-ow/water conserving
showerheads, tap aerators and toilets.
* Have purchased at least four eco-labeled products for use by facility staff.
* Have eliminated the use of chemical pesticides throughout facility and grounds.
* Have employee training with an environmental awareness/practices component.
* Have ongoing communication about the hotels environmental commitment and initiatives to guests using means such as
room directories, tent cards or personal communication by staff.
* Sponsored or directly participated in at least one local conservation or environmental stewardship initiative

Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.

http://worldwideecolodges.com/wp/ecolodge-exp-2/ 6/10