THE DEBATE ABOUT
ECO-LODGES

At EarthFoot we support the opinions of Vinzenz Schmack, owner of the ecolodge featured at EarthFoot's Exploring Rainforest & Rivers Around La Laguna del Lagarto Lodge program in Costa Rica. Let us tell you about an exchange of letters recently initiated by Vinzenz:

Vinzenz read a book, International Ecolodge Guidelines, edited by Hitesh Mehta, Asla Riba, Ana L. Baez and Paul OŽLoughlin. In it was an article by Ms. Megan Epler Wood, President of the The International Ecotourism Society. Vinzens wrote to Ms. Wood:

I am very much surprised that there is nothing in the book about the limits of the size and luxury accommodations of Ecolodges. ... If the slogan goes "back to nature and to save natural resources", this should also mean that people should conform themselves with simpler and less fancy accommodations.  In Costa Rica the price ranges of ecolodges goes from US$30.00 per day/per person, meals and taxes included up to over US$300 and I understand worldwide you can find so called ecolodges with prices up to $900 per person/per night, which contradicts the concept of an ecolodge.

The above mentioned book also overemphasizes the architectural design and if you build a lodge according to these guidelines you end up with a very fancy lodge, where the above mentioned prices are justified. Mind you, I have nothing against expensive and fancy lodges and welcome the million dollars investments to underdeveloped countries.  I am just concerned if these kinds of establishments still fall under the category of "ECOLODGES".  Perhaps they should be called plain "Luxury Nature Hotels".   According to the dictionary the word "lodge" means "a roughly built shelter or hut, as in the woods".

Ms. Wood did not reply, but one of the editors, Hitesh  Mehta, did. Here is part of his response:

There is currently no specific size standards for what can be described as an ecolodge. The general definition is from 1-60 rooms. After that, it becomes an ecoresort. As you mentioned, they also vary in their price range - anywhere from $20 to $1200!! There is nothing wrong if an ecolodge is luxurious as long as it fulfills five of the criteria* that I have mentioned in my book. So, a $900 facility that meets all the criteria can be defined as an Ecolodge. Also, do note that a small number of people does not automatically equate to lower impact.

My experience is that because of the lower number of rooms, developers are forced to charge high rates to make ends meet. However, they provide quality service, activities etc and justify the high cost. The latest book on financing for ecolodges states that over 50% of the ecolodges are in the red!! The baby boomer market is willing to pay a good price if they are convinced of the authenticity.

The word ecolodge has many connotations. It can be a deconstructed structure, a tent, a thatch building, a stone building or even a glass and steel building. In the field of ecotourism, we are not worried about the many definitions. We are more interested in ecotourism and ecolodge principles.

To this, Vinzenz replied:

I respect your position on this issue but I completely disagree and I know that many ecological institutions share my opinion. I think the issue "Luxury Ecolodges " should be discussed on a broader basis. It is not only a question of protecting the environment around a specific lodge but protecting the natural resources in general and luxury just means to consume non renewable resources in excess and the ecological movement should also teach people to live more modestly and not to promote "consumerism".

At EarthFoot we agree with Vinzenz that "luxury just means to consume non renewable resources in excess and the ecological movement should also teach people to live more modestly and not to promote "consumerism".