Background & Principles:

ECOCLUB.com - International Ecotourism Club operates an ecological and transparent ecotourism rating system, totally free of charge as of January 2012, based on our Criteria for an Ecological & Socially Just Tourism, promoting & recognising change through and within Tourism, at the grassroots level. Launched in January 2008, our rating process keeps evolving and is an integral part of ECOCLUB.com Ecolodge Membership. We minimise impact on the environment: no flashy brochures & gimmicks, no travel involved, the whole process is completed online. To see the current ECOCLUB.com Rated Ecolodges click here

ECOCLUB.com Rating Rules, Guidelines & Terms (Last update: 8 January 2012)

ECOCLUB.com Rating is offered to eligible Accommodation facilities as detailed in our Ecolodge Membership Page

A. Rating Questionnaire:

Eligible Applicants must complete the ECOCLUB.com Rating Questionnaire within 30 days and explain in detail, providing pictorial and/or video evidence on how they meet each of our criteria.

B. Decision to grant Ecolodge Membership:

The ECOCLUB.com Team then evaluates the Questionnaire Replies and may ask for additional information or clarifications. When we feel that the questionnaire has been fully and satisfactorily replied, Ecolodge Membership is granted.

C. ECOCLUB.com Rating  and Rating Page

The ECOCLUB.com Team uses the Questionnaire Replies to prepare a Rating Page for the Ecolodge. We reserve the right to edit application text and images for clarity & space, to meet maximum allowed word counts, and so as to remove non-relevant, non-informative & brochure-type data. We then rate the Ecolodge using the following method: each criterion section in the Rating Questionnaire is of equal weight. The maximum rating score that can be awarded in each section is 5, and the minimum 1; when a criterion is fully met, we award 5 stars, when it is nearly met 4 stars, when it is partly met 3 stars, when it is not at all met but effort is being made to meet it 2 stars and when we feel that it is not at all met and no effort is being made to meet the specific criterion, 1 star.

How the ECOCLUB.com Rating is displayed & updated:

The rating is displayed next to each rated lodge's listing in our Ecolodge and Country Directories. 

Recognition as Ecolodge Member:
Rated Lodges are recognised as "Ecolodge Members", are entitled to display a personalised "Ecolodge Member" Logo and enjoy additional promotion on our website.

Displaying the ECOCLUB.com Rating Logo:
Ecolodge Members are allowed to display a personalised ECOCLUB.com Ecolodge Member logo on their website. The Logo should be linked their ECOCLUB.com Rating Page for verification purposes.

Rating Validity:
The rating application (i.e. the text and supporting material contained in the Lodge Rating Webpage) is valid for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years, as long as the Ecolodge continues to be in operation, is under the same ownership. This means that the rating page can not be amended before one year has passed from online publication. After one year, the Applicant may request a new rating application, if in their view circumstances have improved. However, even before one year has passed, if solid evidence emerges that there is a significant deterioration in circumstances, conditions and effects related to the Lodge's operation, ECOCLUB.com reserves the right to post this evidence, or a relevant statement in the Lodge's Rating page.

D. Important Notes:

1. Applicants do not have the right to veto or 'hide' a rating, if they find it unfavourable.  All Ratings are permanently displayed. When there is a new rating for a Lodge, or the Lodge ceases to be a Member, the old rating is moved to a publically accessible online Archive with a link from the new rating page or index of ratings.

2. We reserve the right not to accept any Rating Application, to terminate the Rating Application process at any time, to withdraw a rating if credible evidence which contradict claims in the rating application emerges, if there is a significant change in the facility details or surrounding area circumstances, if the Ecolodge ceases to operate or is under new ownership.

E. How to Proceed:

To request a rating for your Lodge please review the Ecolodge Membership Benefits & Obligations and then apply online.

ECOCLUB.com Rating: an ecological, transparent & free ecotourism rating system!