Ecotel

Ecotel

Ecotel

Ecotel is a certification system promoted by Hospitality Valuation Services (HVS) International. The system is based on five main globes-

1.     Environmental Commitment

2.     Water Conservation & Preservation

3.     Energy Efficiency

4.     Solid Waste Management and

5.     Employee Environmental Education & Community Involvement

Managed by HVS Eco Services, Ecotel was developed in 1994. Since then, it has evolved in keeping with advances in global warming, resource conservation, pollution prevention, building standards and social responsibility. Today, its criteria are commensurate with those internationally recognized for sustainability. This programme has a broader focus that includes numerous environmental building designs and operational features.

The Ecotel Collection is an exclusive group of international Inns, hotels, and resorts that define the concept of environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry. All certified hotels must pass through a detailed inspection and satisfy stringent criteria designed by environmental experts of the Rocky Mountain Institute in Aspen, Colorado.

The Ecotel inspection is based on five separate inspection areas each with a three-tiered Numerical Scoring System. The five inspection areas correspond with the five globes. There are three levels of criteria and scoring- Primary, Secondary and Tertiary. All hotels applying for certification must satisfy all the primary criteria of the globes before an inspection is scheduled. The hotel must prepare an application including descriptions of how the green initiatives are adopted under the globes and include descriptions of environmental efforts and programmes that are at the hotel (primary criteria).

Once it is evident that the primary criteria have been accomplished, inspections are scheduled to ascertain the score of the lodging facility (secondary criteria). Inspections, both guided by hotel staff and not guided by any, are completed throughout the lodging facility to determine if the environmental programmes that the hotel reports are actually part of the day-to-day operations. Each facility and functional area of the hotel (i.e., facade, construction, furnishing, electricity-water supplies, main restaurant kitchen, 90 banquet kitchen, room service kitchen, front desk, guest rooms, reception area, office area, executive area, management, services etc.) is inspected and scored individually. A percentage score is calculated for each department/globe of inspection and each department/globe must score above a set level to be awarded the certification. If any department/globe scores below that level, but above a minimum threshold, the tertiary criteria could boost the score of that department/globe in order that the hotel might achieve the award.

The tertiary criteria are most easily described as a bonus system. The hotel receives bonus points for environmental programmes revealed in hotel operation that are above ordinary levels of environmental responsibility. An example of a programme that would earn tertiary points in the solid waste management category comes from a hotel in Latin America that collects cigarette butts and soaks them in solution to draw out chemicals before the butts are disposed off. The chemicals are then used as pest-repellent for the fruits and vegetables grown on-site.

Based on the score of the hotel in each category, the lodging facility receives rating, corresponding to each of the five cornerstones. Hotels that achieve the globes qualify as Ecotel certified hotels for a period of two years, but must agree to re-inspections (scheduled or unscheduled) at any time during that period. If the hotel falls short of achieving certified status, the HVS International inspection team would prepare an action plan to help management make the changes necessary and prepare for re-inspection.

Members of the Ecotel Collection realize a number of benefits. Primarily the value of the business would improve due to increased exposure in the marketplace, higher staff morale, and better control of operating expenses. Ecotel Collection of hotels cater to a variety of groups, including traditional ecotourists, discerning business travelers with interest in the environment, corporate meeting planners, travel agents, eco-friendly vacationers, and business-travel-environmental media. Due to the integrity of the Ecotel certification and inspection system, travelers and the media rely on this endorsement of hotel’s Environmental performance. When presented properly, the certification could be a powerful marketing advantage and motivator of environmental commitment.

The benefits of participation in the Ecotel program, although, both numerous and diverse for different hotels, could be classified in three categorie

1.     enhancing the marketability of the hotel

2.     strengthening the operation of the hotel

3.     creating values to protect environment