The world at large may wonder and marvel at the technology behind the Global Positioning System, but has anyone looked at where we stand in terms of an Environment Positioning System? In the global village that we call our world, where and what is our position environmentally? Are we seriously serious about protecting our environment?

The world today faces so many demanding environmental challenges. They range from air pollution; sudden climatic changes; the slow but steady depletion of the all-protecting ozone layer; loss of biodiversity; land degradation by the realty agents who shamelessly genuflect before the lure of money, while conveniently overlooking the future of our mother earth.

Where is all this going to stop? More importantly, when is it going to stop? And most importantly, who is going to stop this?

The Hospitality industry, for the entire range of superlative provisions it makes for world-weary travelers from across the globe, ironically is also one of the biggest contributors to this obloquy of our land. How you ask? Well, ponder a star hotel, and all the perquisites that it provides – air-conditioners; refrigerators; fire-extinguishers; foam insulators; beautiful upholstery; aerosol spray cans etc. Here the Hospitality industry may turn bellicose and argue that some of these are the beau ideal for a comfortable stay in any Hotel, and the others necessary for the safe-keeping of Guests. But then, they all are also some of the biggest contributors to the leisurely obliteration of our environment! Agreed, that you need to have these mandatory luxuries, but these very comforts can be had by using the environment-friendly versions of the same. A sardonic and interesting parenthesis to this is that some of the world’s most polluted cities are also some of the world’s important tourist attractions!

Surveys now have shown that the trend among travelers across the world is changing. Many of them now insist on being more responsible towards the environment, a direct consequence of which is the rising popularity of eco-tourism. Today, tourists feel good and proud to be traveling as a part of an environment-conscious tour operator. So much so, that they willingly pay a bit extra to travel conscientiously.

This is where Ecotel is proving to be a benison for the environmentally-beleaguered and often-badgered Hospitality industry. Ecotel is an organization that helps the industry take the long and arduous walk towards becoming eco-conscious. It provides certification to those Hotels that want to and are willing to take up the challenge of disproving that even a contumacious industry like theirs can be eco-friendly.

Ecotel helps and guides Hotels that wish to steer away from their wasteful ways and turn over the proverbial new “green” leaf!

The ECOTEL® Certification Program

In 1994, Steve Rushmore, Founder and President of HVS International, created the ECOTEL® Certification program to help the besieged hospitality industry enhance the value of their respective hotels through pioneering environmental initiatives. Today the ECOTEL® Certification is widely regarded as the de rigueur of environmental accomplishment for hotels and resorts all over.

As a successful Hotelier, any opportunity to enhance your hotel’s marketability, and strengthen your business would be more than welcome. The ECOTEL® Certification program, in addition to the accrual of other perquisite benefits, is just the right contrivance for the same. The actual realization of these benefits will come in many variegated forms- such as decrease in operating expenses; heightened employee morale; interest, and pride at the work place; improved inter and intra community relationships; better occupancies; to name a few.

The ECOTEL® Certification is given to hotels that have a heightened level of environmental responsibility.

The certification is based on 5 criterion termed as globes:

  • Environment Commitment
  • Solid Waste Management
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Water Conservation and Preservation
  • Employee Environment Education and Community Involvement

A hotel must achieve at least 2 of the 5 ECOTEL® globes to qualify as an ECOTEL® Hotel.

A hotel primes for an ECOTEL® Certification by creating and implementing a meticulous environmental program according to the ECOTEL® Criteria. For this the hotel’s development team makes a commitment to realizing the ECOTEL® criteria, while fashioning the actual plan to fulfill this commitment.

Once the programs are in place, the HVS team, comprising of global savants from the fields of environment and engineering, will work with you to ensure that the hotel and staff are outfitted for the inspection. Inspections typically begin with an inclusive description of the environmental efforts by the Hotel, followed by a thorough guided inspection.

The ECOTEL® certification lasts for two years during which period the Hotel must agree to inspections, some unannounced too, to ensure the absoluteness and purity of the hotel’s environmental agenda.

HVS International is a hospitality services firm providing industry skill and knowledge worldwide. The organization and its specialists possess a wide range of expertise and offer market feasibility studies, valuations, strategic analyses, development planning, and litigation support. Additionally, HVS International supplies unique knowledge in the areas of executive search, investment banking, environmental sustainability, timeshare consulting, food and beverage operations, interior design, gaming, technology strategies, organizational assessments, operational management, strategy development, convention facilities consulting, marketing communications, property tax appeals and investment consulting. Since 1980, HVS International has provided hospitality services to more than 10,000 hotels throughout the world. Principals and associates of the firm have authored textbooks and thousands of articles regarding all aspects of the hospitality industry. Click here for more...

Leora Lanz
HVS Sales & Marketing Services
516-248-8828 Ext 278
HVS