New hotel rating system based on ‘Karma’

With responsible, “green” travel growing at a rapid rate, those within the industry are increasingly looking for ways to redefine the travel booking experience for would-be travelers seeking the “higher road” of travel options.

While a few players have already instituted “green ratings” across the board – measuring factors such as energy usage and commitment to cultural conservation – one tour company is taking an entirely unique approach.

Journeys Within, a California-based tour company, just launched its new “Hotel Karma Ratings” – a ratings system that measures properties based on their efforts toward a better planet.

The rating system goes from “Nirvana,” the highest rating for hotels that “support sustainable travel in a consistent manner” to “Non-Believers,” which are described as “often lovely properties…that aren’t yet seeing the light and supporting their communities or the environment.”

In between are “Enlightened” and “Novice.” The former is committed beyond the usual lip service, and “Novice” is described as “like a novice monk still learning to chant. They might point guests in the right direction, but they aren’t yet leading by example.”

“This rating system, which is unlike any other in the travel industry, measures and rates hotels based on the effectiveness of their policies to ‘better the world,’” say the owners. It is designed for travelers who want accommodations based on more than the usual amenities and service.

The Journeys company was the brainchild of Andrea and Brandon Ross, who sold their house and cars and moved to Siem Reap, Cambodia in 2003. Within two months of living there they had opened Journeys Within Bed & Breakfast, a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Siem Reap, just minutes from the Angkor Wat temples.

In the last six years, Journeys Within has added offices in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar and their Siem Reap office, and the B&B has continued to grow. In 2006 Journeys Within Tour Company opened a US office in California.

The tour company offers custom, private tours for individuals, couples, families, and small groups. The Ross’s still do a yearly guide training trip so they personally know every guide working for them in all five countries.

For more info, visit www.journeys-within.com/hotel-reviews.