Ecuador ecolodge accommodation
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Mission Statement:
Eco Retreat Center aims to provide a comfortable, educational experience for guests, teaching about the local area, customs and permaculture, while contributing to and improving the community and natural environment. The goal is to be a leader in environmental stability and ecotourism.
When starting the Inn, it was the first time that we actually owned land; but how can we own something that was here well before we were born and will remain long after we die. The truth is that the land and the planet own us as we are briefly passing through on it. We are simply stewards of the land. We knew that if we wanted the land to sustain us, then we would have to sustain it.
We built out of local natural materials, conserved and recycled water, composted and recycled our waste (including human waste), grew organic gardens, planted native trees because it was logical – not simply eco-logical.
We did not think to promote ourselves as an Eco-Lodge until we saw many other places doing so with far less ecological standards. We also felt that the attraction of visiting this area should not just be our composting toilets, but the local culture and scenery. Now years later we have become a leader in Responsible Travel; guest leave here feeling empowered to tackle the new world challenges of resource consumption, waste management and global warming.
Community
Community involvement is a large part of what makes a business and home responsible and sustainable. Over the years, the owners have become a part of the community of Chugchilán. Michelle teaches English and Computers in the local high schools since 1997. Andres often repairs the town water system and phone lines. They have donated multiple computers, phone lines and a copy machine and to the local school, health clinic, and police station. With the help of a generous donation, they have subsidized school textbooks since 2002.
One of the most successful projects has been establishing a local library / learning center stocked with over 1000 Spanish language books and 10 computers. Students now have a local resource for research and investigations. Young children are becoming interested in reading. High school students are getting hands-on experience with computers and FREE internet access. All of these projects have been supported with the help of guest donations.
The inn has sponsored several workshops with tech assistance from US Peace Corps Volunteers: family planning, guiding skills in native flora and fauna, guiding ethics, first-aid for hikers, nutrition and women’s health, and knitting. Locally knitted crafts are displayed and sold in the lodge and proceeds go directly to the artisans.
Several community members have been encouraged to participate in the growing local tourism industry by opening hostels and restaurants. The inn has also provided an interest-free loan to a neighbor enabling him to start a horseback riding business. The inn established a tourist transportation cooperative with local vehicle owners. Native guides take tourists hiking.
With the assistance of winning the 2006 & 2008 International EcoClub Ecolodge Award, the inn has built a Recycling Center to process and classify village waste. Other awards and recognition:
• Worlds Best Hotels - South America STAY LIST - National Geographic Traveler 2011
• Top 10 Eco-Resort - Delta SKY Magazine 2009
• Top 50 Eco-Lodges - National Geographic Adventure Magazine 2009
• Winner - ECOCLUB.com Ecotourism Awards 2006 & 2008
• Skål International Ecotourism Award 2006
• Smithsonian Magazine/Tourism Cares for Tomorrow Sustainable Tourism Award 2005
• Finalist for Tourism for Tomorrow Award - World Travel & Tourism Council 2005
• Highly Commended - Best Mountain Environment - Responsible Tourism Awards 2005
• Short-Listed - Responsible Traveler Award 2004
• Top 10 Ecolodges in the World - Outside Magazine 2003
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