A total of 384 tourism companies have received the Tourism Sustainability Certification from the Costa Rica Tourism Board which is recognized by the World Tourism Organization.

“For over three decades Costa Rica conceived sustainability as a base to its Model of Tourism Development, making it a competitive advantage and the main differentiation of the country as a destination. The country created 20 years ago the Tourism Sustainability Certification (CST), an innovative and pioneer norm in its field that promotes sustainability and therefore social and economic wellness for the communities”, explained Mauricio Ventura, Minister of Tourism.

Among the 384 companies that have earned the certification, 76 of which received the certification yesterday in the frame of the World Tourism Day, there are lodging facilities, car rentals, tour operator agencies, sustainable theme parks and gastronomy companies.

The CST evaluates five fundamental aspects:

1) The physical and biological surrounding
2) Service infrastructure (for lodging companies)-this evaluates the construction, systems and internal processes in place for waste management and water and electricity saving.
3) Service management (for tour operators): the design of tourist products that fits the characteristics of the country and locations taking into consideration market tendencys.
4) Client: actions that companies carry out to promote the participation of clients in the organization’s sustainability processes.
5) Social-Economic Surrounding: the identification and interaction of the establishment with the nearby communities.

Sustainability as a development model promotes the need to satisfy the current requirements of the society without compromising the right of the future generations to satisfy theirs, through the appropriate use of our natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life of local communities and the financial success that can contribute with other national projects.