Ecohotel | Why stay with us? Setting the standard for eco accommodation in Australia| An Environmentally Friendly Accommodation Directory

Accreditation and Assessment of ecohotel properties
Properties listed on the ecohotel web directory have been selected on the basis of a number of sustainability criteria. As we do not have either the resources to inspect each product itself, and nor is it our aim to set up yet another scheme, our team at ecohotel relies on external accreditation schemes for the assessment of sustainability initiatives of properties. We do however make random anonymous visits to properties and any property which does not meet the criteria advertised is immediately removed from our site.

Until the long awaited introduction of one national scheme, which, as of Jan 2010, is presently being undertaken by the Federal Government), we remain reliant on the existing accreditation programmes available in Australia. In the long run, it is up to us, as travellers, guests and consumers, to choose accommodation which is making a genuine effort to lessen the impact of running a tourism business.

Unfortunately, there are more than one hundred different certification schemes for Sustainable Tourism in the world. Only schemes which we believe to be both reliable and making a genuine contribution towards increased sustainability are recognized by ecohotel. We have rated the schemes according to the depth of sustainability standards and the rigour of external assessment. The main schemes operating within Australia are:

Most credible: Independent certification by an internationally accredited certification scheme
- ECOTOURISM AUSTRALIA - Australia's most highly respected eco certification organization. Much of the criteria is not ideal for accommodation properties in an urban environment.
- GREEN GLOBE

Second: Accreditation by a respected independent non-governmental organisation
- AAA GREEN STARS - however only properties which also publicly display their environmental initiatives on their website and within their property are able to be listed on the ecohotel web directory.
- SELF EVALUATION - There are a number of properties which have chosen to stay outside the official accreditation system, but are still making significant contribution to sustainable tourism. These properties are however required to list their environmental initiatives publicly. Sometimes these properties are in fact doing more than those with AAA Green Stars as the owners are motivated purely by wanting to make a difference rather than to be publicly acknowledged as being "green".

Nabers - as of 2010 not enough information publicly available to make an informed decision....

More about ecohotel property criteria

What can YOU do as a guest?

2008 Tourism Awards to ecohotel properties
NEW SOUTH WALES
Crystal Creek Meadows Gold Award, Hosted Accommodation
Old Leura Dairy Silver Award, Unique Accommodation
Somewhere Unique Silver Award, New Tourism Development
Lane Cove River
Tourist Park Qantas Award for Sustainable Tourism

VICTORIA
Boroka Downs – Hall of Fame, Luxury Boutique Accommodation
Alto Hotel on Bourke – Merit Award, Deluxe Accommodation and Finalist, Qantas Award for Sustainable Tourism.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Karijini Eco Retreat - Gold Award, Ecotourism and Silver Award, Indigenous Tourism

QUEENSLAND
Rose Gums
Wilderness Retreat – Hall of Fame, Tropical North Queensland T.A and Finalist, Unique Accommodation
Hidden Valley Cabins - Finalist, Qantas Award for Sustainable Tourism and Finalist, Hosted Accommodation

Previous winners of the Hall of Fame include Banjo’s Bushland Retreat in NSW, Aquila Eco Lodges in Victoria and Rawnsley Park Station in the South Australian outback

The ecohotel website

The ecohotel website is proudly hosted by The Web Factory, and was built and maintained by Rapid Websites (a division of The Web Factory). This business has committed to reducing its carbon footprint, by reviewing the energy usage of its hosting servers, office equipment and vehicles. The result for customers is the assurance that the purchase of hosting services from The Web Factory offers an environmentally responsible means of powering their websites, enabling them to play a positive part in combating climate change without any affect on the day-to-day operations of their business. Their environmental initiatives include:

Estimating the emissions generated for the daily operation and maintenance of hosting servers, and purchasing carbon credits via Climate Friendly to cover the estimated emissions.
In the office, ensuring that an amount equivalent to 100% of the energy used has been or will be generated by GreenPower generators using renewable energy sources and delivered to the national electricity grid. Renewable energy is created from sources that do not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions or pollute the environment. It does cost a little more to generate electricity from these clean sources, but responsible consumers and businesses can make the choice.
Customer invoices are distributed electronically to reduce waste.
Recycling as much plastic, cardboard, printer cartridges and paper as possible, and using Recycled Reflex paper for office needs.
Choosing to take part in the Greenfleet program, to reduce automobile emissions. Trees are planted every year to help create a forest, and as they grow they will absorb the greenhouse gases that our motor vehicles produce.