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Ecolodges Are Having A Moment. Are You Ready To Stay In One?
16.12.2023 - 16:51 / forbes.com
Slava Sambu and his wife, Ozge, were looking for more than fine dining and five-star accommodations when they found the Mashpi Lodge, an ecolodge deep in the Ecuadorian rainforest. "It looked like a great opportunity to explore a part of the world we've never seen," says Sambu, a marketing consultant from Fort Lauderdale.
It was. The couple waded through rivers, bathed in waterfalls, climbed mud-slick hills to discover native orchids and found wildlife that is unique to the Andean foothills, like the Mashpi Glass Frog, a tiny, almost transparent amphibian. But the Mashpi Lodge also left the couple feeling better about their vacation choice, with a commitment to protecting the fragile Chocó rainforest and reducing their carbon footprint.
"We wanted to create a lodge where conservation came first," says Dominic Hamilton, a spokesman for Metropolitan Touring, which owns the Mashpi Lodge. "It's taken us years to get here, but we're really serious about it. That's what sets us apart."
Ecolodges like the Mashpi Lodge are having a moment. No one knows the exact number of ecolodges in the world, nor is there a commonly accepted definition of an ecolodge. But there are between 3,000 and 4,000 self-proclaimed ecolodges, estimates Emese Maczko, founder of the ecolodge directory Eco Lodges Anywhere.
"And in 2024, I expect to see more accommodations labeling themselves as ecolodges," adds Maczko.
Why are ecolodges cool? There are more people like the Sambus out there, and they expect more from their vacation than sitting at the beach and sipping mai tais. They prefer to have a meaningful getaway in a place where their vacation dollars can make a difference. That's a tall order for any hotel, but it's an almost irresistible way for a property to start marketing itself if it's anywhere near a rainforest, wetland, or national park.
Call yourself an ecolodge — and they will come.
An ecolodge is a hotel accommodation in an undisturbed, remote natural area where both construction and operation have the lowest possible impact on the environment.
Here are few distinguishing features of an ecolodge:
But the newest ecolodges are taking the experience to the next level.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say ecolodges have upped their game for next year. That's because they're expecting a record number of reservations from guests who are looking for a different lodging experience.
Here's what they're offering:
The top ecolodges are not just about profits. At the Playa Viva on Mexico's Pacific Coast, the property aspires to provide what it calls an "ethical travel experience" that benefits the community as much as the traveler. That includes inviting guests to be part of a community-led experience to help regenerate the
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