Costa Rica CST: Certification for Sustainable Tourism
A Model for the World to Follow
Costa Rica’s genuine effort to protect the environment has finally paid off! Earlier this year they were officially recognized as a carbon neutral country -an undertaking that required, and will forever require, the involvement of every segment of Costa Rica’s society. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Costa Rica’s Tourism industry has an on-going program to ensure sustainable tourism, and keep them in the enviable position of being carbon neutral- a pledge that very few countries have made, and are still racing to get to. Tourism is Costa Rica’s number one industry, so it is exceedingly important that a strong example be set by those businesses who are the “face” of the country, the ambassadors to the rest of the world.
The Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) is a program developed in Costa Rica for tourism businesses to comply with the country’s model of Sustainable Tourism. Any business associated with the tourism industry in Costa Rica can participate in the program. The CST program categorizes all tour operators and businesses in the tourism industry according to their commitment to a sustainable practice of tourism through their everyday operations and awards them on their accomplishments on a scale from 0 to 5.
When CST level 1 is achieved, it basically means that the company has jumped on the wagon for sustainable tourism development. As the company moves through the various stages of CST certification, they become more and more “sustainable” in the program’s view.
The next components to CST sustainable tourism in Costa Rica are:
Physical-Biological Parameters – How does the company interact and live in harmony with the surrounding natural habitat? The CST program looks toward how the business as a whole interacts with the surrounding environment, and how it employs policies and programs to protect that environment wherever possible.
Infrastructure and Services – What are the management policies and operation systems in the company’s infrastructure? Do they keep the environment at the forefront? This aspect of the CST addresses things like waste management, water and electricity conservation, and other areas pertaining to day-to-day operations that may negatively impact the environment.
External Clients – Does the company’s policies and procedures invite its customers to participate in and contribute to its sustainability? This piece of the puzzle asks businesses to involve their customer in the cause, instilling a sense of pride among the people who support Costa Rica with their tourist dollars.
Socio-Economic Environment – How does the company interact with and participate in the local communities and population in general? Here they look at whether the company works with other CST certified companies when possible, and if they hire locally to support growth and prosperity in the local community. Bonus points for ongoing job-specific education which benefits the employee and the community at large.
CST Logo
CST-complying companies feature the CST logo (a tree leaf). And the CST program has begun to create a new level of competitiveness among businesses, which is the precise intention! There will come a time in the not-too-distant future when tourism without consciousness is not an option, and these are the underpinnings of the CST program. It makes sense that companies who don’t have a stated goal of sustainability will most likely not survive in a country with a zero carbon footprint. The statement “if they are not with us, they are against us” truly applies here. So it is Costa Rica’s great hope that this will be abundantly clear to visitors, and they will desire only to work with companies that carry the “leaf” logo… who put sustainability into practice in everything they do. By following a model of sustainable tourism, Costa Rica is working hard towards protecting the environment for today and tomorrow. Sustainable tourism improves the quality of life of all Ticos AND ensures its continuous success as a desirable tourist destination. -Nature is Costa Rica’s #1 tourist attraction!
Your role as a tourist in Costa Rica is easy: only choose companies carrying the “leaf” logo for your activities and lodging. (You can contact us and we can provide you with each tour operator’s sustainability level). Seek out those providers whose values align with the 100% sustainability approach. It’s a clear way to show your support for Costa Rica where it matters most, literally putting your money where your mouth is, and maintaining the zero carbon footprint achievement is only possible if we support those companies who whole-heartedly support this mission. Let’s work together to show that we care and encourage other tourist destinations to embrace sustainable tourism. The planet will thank you!!