Our mission is to provide you with the most diverse directory of sustainable, eco-conscious and ethically managed accommodation from around the world.  Our purpose is to make the “ecotourism” niche within the travel sector more accessible. 

Accommodation that fits the criteria of ecotourism is diverse to say the least.  Some of accommodation is primarily focused on the local environment or the wider environment.  Other accommodation is more focused on reinvesting and developing the local community , and may also have made a commitment to run their business in an ethical manner, and in some case accommodation providers have an appreciable commitment to all of these elements.  We believe that people seeking sustainable accommodation which you can decide for yourself if it is the kind of place you would like to stay and visit.  It is for you the traveller, to decide whether a listed accommodation meets your specific criteria.  The choice is yours.

We’ve used the definitions below to assess the different types of accommodation we list within the directory, but we’ve also provided them to you, so you can use them consider for yourself whether an accommodation offering is suitable for you and make an informed choice.

Eco-Lodges

An eco-lodge is a small accommodation offering, its size is part of its credentials as an eco-lodge, but it must also include other either environmentally or ethically focused elements over and above its size, in order to be considered within the ecotourism industry  as being an eco-lodge.  The "eco", "sustainable" or "ethical" elements that may be part of the offering of an eco-lodge are highly diverse and usually based around its location as well as the outlook of the owners and staff who operate it.

Eco-Hotels and Eco-Resorts

Eco Hotels or Eco Resorts are obviously larger accommodation offerings than eco-lodges, and they can be present both in a rural environment or an urban environment, although the term “eco hotel” is more likely to be applied to hotel in an urban setting and “eco resort” accordingly is more likely to be applied to accommodation in a rural setting.  They adhere to the guiding principles of an eco-lodge, but because of their size cannot be considered as “lodges”.

Types of Commitment

The varying types environmental commitment, community development projects, charitable efforts and best ethical practices are not easily defined or summarised, we do our best to try and make sure that each listing includes a reasonable overview of each of the elements as they relate to the accommodation, as well as provide more detailed information should you want to really dig into the detail of a commitment or policy undertaken by an accommodation provider.  In order for you to get a better understanding of the many different elements that make up these commitments we have included the comprehensive break down beneath so that you can learn more about them and maybe, depending on your outlook use them to help guide you when making a decision on where you would like to stay when looking through the directory for accommodation.