The Luxury Eco Certification Standard (LECS) offered by Sustainable Travel International (STI) is the world's only voluntary, global sustainable tourism certification program offered by a non-profit organization that is specific to the luxury accommodation sector. LECS is a comprehensive standard that takes into consideration the specific needs and challenges of operating a new or existing luxury hotel while addressing environmental and social issues that help to protect the destinations they serve.

LECS is founded upon STI’s in-depth experience in developing sustainable tourism standards including soliciting feedback from the public and other stakeholders and incorporating criteria from STI’s existing eco-certification program (STEP). Featuring Triple Bottom Line aspects (People, Planet and Profit), LECS is also positioned to adhere to impending global accreditation through the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC). However, LECS is unique in that it is also a product of STI’s experience working with and taking into account best practices in the luxury accommodation sector. This approach is designed to help hoteliers create and implement a measurement and management framework in their move toward sustainability.

100 Steps to Sustainability

The LECS program is designed for both newcomers and those who have experience in sustainable business practices. The LECS standard, in the form of questions, consists of 100 environmental and social criteria for the hotels to meet in order to be eco-certified. We call this our “100 Steps to Sustainability.” The areas of evaluation are broken into five sections: 1. Policy and Documentation; 2. Energy Conservation; 3. Water Conservation; 4. Recycling; and 5. Community.

Upon completion of the LECS application, all LECS applicants will be required to undertake a third party assessment through Leading Quality Assurance.

Benefits

The Benefits associated with becoming LECS certified include:

Implementing sustainable business practices increases resource efficiencies and reduces waste, which helps to saves money in the long term;
Competitive advantage in the marketplace based on third-party certification, which addresses the issue of greenwashing;
Recognition as a green certified hotel in STI’s Responsible Travel Report and in a press release;
Recognition as a green certified hotel on www.sustainabletravel.com if the hotel is also an STI Member, including a listing with logo in STI’s popular online Eco-Directory;
Logo license and usage rights.

Rates

The cost per LECS Self-assessment application and audit is US$3495. This fee includes:

The LECS Standard;
Application administration and processing fees;
A two day/one night assessment;
All international air travel to and from the hotels, wherever they are located;
Access to benchmarking data and dynamic reporting options
All airport taxes and visa expenses; and
Courier expenses of the final report to the hotel

This price does not include:

Charges incurred during the analysis (i.e., accommodation, food, beverage and incidental expenses)
Airport transfers

How to Apply

To become eco-certified through LECS, applicants will first be required to submit all policy and documentation requirements before they’re eligible to receive a desk audit. Desk audits are completed by Leading Quality Assurance and complimented by an on-site verification of criteria and related documentation. Refer to our LECS Application Instructions, which are detailed below, to learn more about How to Apply.

Please be aware that becoming a LECS eco-certified hotel will be challenging and will require serious commitment. However, the standard itself is designed as an educational tool that provides guidance to develop a sustainability framework and operational activities. As such, we are confident that all interested hoteliers can obtain this valuable accreditation.

To ensure your success, we recommend that you have at least one person dedicated to ensuring that your hotel meets the standard and related criteria. In return, implementing the systems required by LECS will help you operate your facilities more efficiently and sustainably, which will likely reduce your long term operating costs, while creating customer and employee good will.

Should your hotel require additional support, please contact STIor consider utilizing STI's advisory package services.

Apply for LECS

If you are interested in applying for LECS, or if you have already applied and received a Self-assessment Application, please review the information outlined here If you require some assistance in completing your LECS application, consider utilizing STI's advisory package services.

If you have any questions after reviewing this information, email us or call +503 488 5500. We are happy to assist you and help you through the Eco-certification process.

Advisory Services

In order to support LECS applicants, STI is offering advisory package services for the LECS standard. Depending on how far along you are in your sustainable business practices, this includes remote hourly support or a comprehensive, onsite consultative LECS walk through. Choose between the following packages:

Package 1 - Remote Support: Includes up to a half day of support with a LECS specialist via teleconference and email to address issues like drafting sustainability policies, measuring energy consumption, establishing a waste management program, etc. This service is advised for shorter engagements, and is designed for general managers, operations managers and other hotel management who do not require the traditional onsite consulting services that are available. Price is US$450.

Package 2 - Onsite Advisory Services: Includes consultative hands-on support that provides you with all of the information you need to achieve Luxury Eco-certification. This includes working directly with a LECS specialist to guide you through the process, clarify what is expected, and help you implement the “100 Steps toward Sustainability.” Deliverables include up to 3 days (which includes up to 2 days onsite), helping to clarify and set expectations, explain the process and the P&D requirements, provide a GAP analysis between existing efforts and LECS requirements, and a detailed report with recommendations. This in-depth service is designed for general managers, operations managers and other hotel management who require in depth onsite consulting services. Price is US$2495 (excluding travel expenses).

Ongoing advisory support requests will be quoted at STI’s daily or hourly rate. Company commitment and availability of all relevant management and team players during advisory support period is absolutely mandatory.

If you have any questions about our advisory package services, email us or call +503 488 5500.