Cst - Sustainability Certification Programs For Hotels And Tour Operators Of Costa Rica

Latin America's leader in sustainable tourism with the largest number of government certified eco-tourism businesses is Costa Rica

. The Costa Rica Tourism Institute (ICT) has developed a Sustainability Certification Program (CST) and that encourages tour operators and hotels to stick on environmental and social regulations. If they do that they might gain the highest level of sustainability certification awarded by the government.

This program is not only about the turnover rates and employment numbers but also about how much responsibility is taken by the company as they manage natural, cultural and social resources.

All organizations are encouraged to take a pro-active stance on how to minimize the destruction of natural, social and cultural resources. These factors contribute to Costa Rica's rich biodiversity and healthy society which at the same time gives the country it amazing qualities.

The rating system follows these important parameters:

1. Physical-Biological Parameters: This measures the interaction between the company and its surrounding habitat. This includes the presence of gardens and natural areas and the protection of the flora and fauna and in what measure.

2. Hotel Facilities: This factor evaluates by how are the management policies, the operation systems within the company, its water and energy use, employee training and standard of service.

3. Customers: Evaluates the interaction of the company with its clients in terms of how much it lets them be active contributors to the company's policies of sustainability.

4. Socio-Economic Environment: This one valuates the interaction of the company with local communities.

Plus, all establishments are encouraged to adopt eco-friendly programs for long term improvement:

1. Recycling programs

2. Proper disposal and treatment of waste

3. Implementation of water and energy saving systems

4. Conservation of forests and surrounding green areas

5. Contribution to reforestation

6. To work with neighboring communities to improve their way of life CST-Ranking-System

The rating system is on a scale of 0 to 5. A level 5 is a establishment that is working at the highest level of sustainability. If a business scores a 1, that means that they have taken the first step towards sustainability but need a lot more work and will be re-evaluated later for progress.

How does all of this affect you, the consumer?

They encourage you to take a stance and choose a sustainable hotel or tour operator for your next visit to Costa Rica, this at the same time will encourage and help more businesses to join in. That is why the price difference is negligible between businesses that are certified and ones that are not.

With the CST program many Costa Rican companies are now working hard and even competing to make a significant difference by preserving the natural environment and improving the local community's life quality.

Interesting Fact: The National Accreditation Commission is comprised of the Costa Rica Tourism Institute, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy, the National Institute of Biodiversity, the National Tourism Chamber, the University of Costa Rica, the Central American Institute of Business Administration, National Tourism Chamber, the Earth Council and the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

by: Marina K. Villatoro

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