EXO uses a comprehensive rating scheme to help us, and our partners, make informed choices of accommodation.
Our Hotel Responsible Rating System works on a star basis:
1 star: Responsible- the property observes eco-friendly and/or socially aware practices
2 stars: Very Responsible- the property goes out of its way to ensure eco-friendly and/or socially aware practices are being observed
3 stars: Outstanding/Excellent – the property goes above and beyond in their responsible practices for eco-friendly and/or socially aware purposes
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the star ratings, assessment process and the evaluation criteria.
Assessment
The first step in EXO’s Responsible Hotel Rating System is a self-assessment conducted by the property. This comprehensive evaluation includes a list of detailed questions addressing the specific practices of the property.
After EXO has received the self-assessment and any supporting documents, our expert Sustainability Coordinators follow up with a second, on-site inspection of the property aimed at confirming the accuracy of the submitted information. In addition, the EXO evaluator inspects additional aspects of the hotel ranging from its shops, restaurants and rooms to reception, housekeeping and waste management.
Evaluation Criteria
The questions used in the assessments relate to the following three topics:
- Socio-economic benefits towards the community
- Communications on responsible tourism
- Environmental benefits
Each of the topics then falls under two categories, eco-friendly or socially aware.
Eco-Friendly refers to policies and/or practices that respect and limit the property’s negative impacts on the environment. This includes actions such as proper waste management, conservation efforts, raising awareness among staff for environmental protection and more. Outstanding properties also commit to support biodiversity conservation and animal protection through financing programs or setting up their own initiatives.
Socially Aware refers to policies that are observed or put in place to ensure good working conditions and that positive impacts are made on the surrounding communities. This includes ensuring good working conditions, offering additional benefits and opportunities for professional development, promoting local material or immaterial heritage and culture and other similar socially aware initiatives.
We use the following two icons, with 3 star levels, to highlight the properties that we consider responsible on our website and other communication material.
In 2019, we achieved the following results of responsible hotel stays across all EXO destinations:
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