Certification for Sustainable Tourism
The certification for sustainable tourism is a process by which companies and organizations analyze their operations striving for efficiency, productivity, quality, environmental impact and customer satisfaction.
What does the CST consist of?
It is a program that seeks to categorize and certify each tourism company per the degree to which its operations comply with a model of sustainability, established by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.
Four fundamental aspects are evaluated, three common ones and one specific one:
Evaluates aspects related to sustainability management, quality of service, safety concerns and employee development, infrastructure and equipment management, regulation compliance, among others.
Evaluates criteria specific to socio-economic impact, support for community development, gender equality and contribution to the development and dissemination of local culture. Evaluations are done regarding internal systems and processes, waste management and the use of technologies for electricity and water conservation.
Evaluates the company´s management of water usage and water effluents, energy efficiency and clean energy usage, waste management, acquisition policies and contribution to biodiversity conservation. Additionally, carbon footprint mitigation, climate change adaptability policies, as well as the support of adjacent ecosystems and pollution contamination.
Evaluates all specific aspects of each category of supplier, subdivisions and special characteristics of the operations.
Who manages it?
The official entity in charge of this program is the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). Notwithstanding, this initiative is supported by a National Accreditation Committee which been made official by executive decree where all sectors related to this topic interact (N°41415-MINAE-M CJ-MEIC-TUR). Additionally, the educational sector is represented by the Costa Rican University (UCR) and the Central America Business Administration Institute (INCAE).
The private sector is represented by the National Tourism Chamber. The participation of international entities is represented by the International Union for Nature Conservancy (UICN). For the public sector the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Nacional Institute of Biodiversity (INBIO), who along with the ICT are responsible for coordinating program execution and implementation.
Levels
30% compliance of mandatory indicator or Improvement and Continuity, and 70% compliance of External Impact.
Total compliance with mandatory indicators.
Technical Support
The national organization will be assisted by a technical committee at the highest level, comprised by professionals of varied disciplines.
Said commission will be tasked with designing the parameters and indicators and establishing corresponding methodological procedures to carry out the evaluations. Additionally, the execution, supervision, and auditing of evaluations, and proposing program marketing strategies.
The team at Parador Resort & Spa believes that both international travelers and locals will benefit from the interaction of learning how to support Sustainable Tourism in Costa Rica. Residents learn that their customs may be of interest to foreigners, and visitors obtain more in-depth knowledge about Costa Rica, including the awareness of environmental, cultural, conservational and economic issues.
Some of our sustainable programs are:
- Energy conservation program throughout the resort.
- Water conservation program throughout the resort.
- Some laundry is air-dried; and clothes dryers and guest room water heaters run on gas.
- Room keys turn on/off electricity at all suite guest rooms.
- Energy saving light bulbs have been installed in 95% of the hotel’s facilities.
- Motion detectors installed on public bathroom lights.
- Treated water certified by the Ministry of Public Health of Costa Rica is reused for the irrigation of 2,000 square meters of gardens.
- Information in the rooms encourages guests to reuse towels and linens and conserve water and energy.
- Low-flow toilets in all bathrooms.
- Rainwater is collected and purified; then used for hotel maintenance.
- Controlled water pressure system.
- Parador Resort & Spa protects 7 acres of secondary & primary rainforest; this represents 50% of its property. This reserve includes hiking trails for guests to enjoy.
- The recycling program at Parador Resort & Spa includes aluminum, paper, glass, plastic, electronic equipment, plastic top delivery and “eco blocks” or “eco bricks”, as well as toilet paper rolls delivered to schools for art craft projects.
- Annual recycling fair, “ReciclaParador.”
- The organic waste is used to produce natural fertilizer and insecticides for the gardens.
- Shampoos, conditioners and soap are 100% biodegradable, and the bottles are resent to the factory to be reutilized.
- Certified biodegradable cleaning agents.
- Hotel focuses on alternative uses for materials or equipment once they have fulfilled their basic function, often donating them to community groups.
- Parador Resort & Spa makes annual financial donations to organizations such as Titi Conservation Alliance, COPAZA, Paws and the Foundation for the Paliative Care Unit. It also makes charitable donations of clothing, towels, linens, food, and more to the Nursing Home, to various schools in the area, to the Costa Rican Red Cross, and others. The hotel encourages its staff to participate in various community programs through an internal newsletter.
- Parador´s Family participates in the community beach cleaning program. It also helps with reforestation along the riverbanks of Rio Naranjo, helping to preserve this area as a biological corridor.
- All mini bars in the guest rooms are turned off for energy saving, once the guest checks in he is given instructions on how to turn on and request products to stock it.
- We are part of the Ecoins programs, whose objective is to create consumer awareness and increase the volume of recyclable material.
Environmental and social responsibility Programs Supported by our WE SHARE Program
Parador Resort & Spa is strongly committed with the conservation of nature, supporting local community projects and taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment. We invite our guests to cooperate with a small donation of $1.50, which is added to your room bill and goes towards assisting the following organizations:
Titi Conservation Alliance
is devoted to protecting Costa Rica’s endangered Titi (squirrel) Monkey in the Manuel Antonio area through Sustainable Development, habitat reforestation and environmental education. Working closely with the community as well as other like-minded organizations, the Titi Conservation Alliance has, and continues to make substantial contributions towards protecting and sustaining Costa Rica´s fecund but fragile Central Pacific region eco-system. www.monotiti.org
Copaza
is a non-profit group dedicated to preventing violence and providing employment and social opportunities with emphasis on at risk kids in the Quepos region of Costa Rica. Through the implementation of cultural and sports programs and addressing employment and other public issues, Copaza works diligently towards creating and promoting a viable, self-sustaining and peaceful community. www.copaza.org
PAWS
is a non-profit animal welfare organization which provides services for cat and dog populations in Quepos. Their volunteer team works on rescuing abandoned or lost animals, neutering and spaying, tending to injuries or illnesses if present, preparing for adoption and more. www.pawscr.org
Foundation pro-unit for Paliative Care
The objective is to facilitate human, material and intellectual resources necessary so that children and adolescents who are in a limited life condition and or terminal, receive efficient and opportune care. This is conjunction with their families, guaranteeing it is based on the principles and philosophy of Paliative Care.
Pack for a Purpose
We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you separate just 5 pounds (2.27 kilos) of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you´ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families. PackforaPurpose.org
