That’s what the consensus was of those attending the First Annual Eco- and Sustainable Tourism Conference at the Hotel Herradura when it came to the role of Costa Rica in sustainable tourism.  Specifically, Bruce Poon Tip, founder and Executive Director of GAP Adventures, a worldwide adventure tourism company, told La Nación that Costa Rica is “out in front” of all others when it comes to sustainable tourism.  Costa Rica is the “world reference and head” for sustainable tourism, stated Poon Tip.  Echoing the sentiments of Poon Tip was Masaru Takayama, from Japan, who also commented, as I have many times, that he hoped rampant development does not convert Costa Rica into a “Cancun.” Poon Tip did note certain challenges facing the country, including infrastructure improvements, and to increase the quality and quantity of persons responsible for attending to the needs of the growing tide of tourists.  Glen Jampol, president of the National Chamber of Ecotourism, also noted that Costa Rica needed more qualified people working in tourism, but also that those coming into the industry must be sure to remember to maintain the friendly reputation that Costa Rica has cultivated so well.  The records of ICT (the Tourism Ministry) show that in 2008 50.4% of total tourist arrivals were motivated in some manner by ecotourism.  Those records also show that 66% of tourists came to Costa Rica via the recommendation of a friend or family member.  Other data show the following profile of the typical Costa Rican bound tourist…..

Average Age……43 years
Average length of stay….9.5 days
Average amount spent in the country…..$855 per person

61% come on their own, that is, look for their own transporation and accommodations, whereas the rest come via travel agencies (like Package Costa Rica….nice plug, huh?).

Link to Article in La Nación

I recently wrote about my experience at Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Nature Reserve, one of the three hotels that make up the Green Hotels Group (the others are Si Como No and Aguila de Osa Inn).  All three hotels are pioneers of sustainability in Costa Rica, along with the founder of the Group and owner of Villa Blanca and Si Como No, Jim Damalas.  The U.S. environmental conservation organization known as Rain Forest Alliance, whose mission is the preservation of the planet’s disappearing tropical forests, has recognized this group for its outstanding achievements and innovations in the area of sustainable tourism.  The award bestowed is the “Corporate Sustainable Trend Setters Award” that the Alliance offers annually at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.  The award was given to Damalas and the Green Hotels Group for “their continued dedication, innovation, and leadership in the area of environmental conservation.”  Among the winners of past awards included the likes of Walter Cronkite, Ted Turner, and even our own Nature Air of Costa Rica.  The Green Hotels group seeks to pioneer a new innovation of small “boutique” hotels that are dedicated to environmental sustainability, what Damalas calls, “greentique.”  The commitment of these hotels to sustainability has been recognized by Costa Rica’s CST program (Certificate for Sustainable Tourism).  Two of the hotels, Villa Blanca and Si Como No, have received the highest level awarded by the program.  The Group has also been recognized for its commitment by the sustainable tourism program of the Rain Forest Alliance, the World Heritage Alliance, and the United Nations Foundation.  Villa Blanca also has the distinction of being the first Costa Rica hotel to host a research center in partnership with InBio (Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad). 

Here is what the Rain Forest Alliance said about the Green Hotels Group on their web page…..

Propelled by founder Jim Damalas’ vision for a collection of sustainably designed, developed and managed properties, Green Hotels of Costa Rica created Si Como No Resort and Spa in 1993. The group expanded 10 years later with Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Nature Reserve and Aguila de Osa Inn. Green Hotels are a model of social, environmental and economic responsibility, boasting some of the lowest hotel employee turnover rates in Costa Rica. All employees receive full benefits and the eco-responsible properties abide by strict water usage and treatment guidelines, recycle waste and have installed units to produce solar energy.

Link to Article in El Financiero