Ecotourism Tourism in Costa Rica

1 ecotourism

1.1 bandera azul program
1.2 voluntary certification program
1.3 ethical traveler destination

ecotourism


costa rica s biodiversity asset ecotourism. shown notable frog species, red-eyed tree frog.



beach sign , flag bandera azul ecológica (ecological blue flag) program @ playa langosta, las baulas national marine park, guanacaste.



a hotel sign showing voluntary certification programs hotel has passed or associated with. shown 4 star bandera azul ecológica , 3 leaves cst program.



arenal volcano main destination in costa rica, san carlos, alajuela.



manuel antonio national park known 4 beaches combined sights of natural beauty, quepos puntarenas.



tourists @ viewing area @ edge of poás volcano crater.



celeste river, located @ tenorio volcano national park, among popular destinations both foreign , domestic tourists.



rafting on pacuare river.



cruise ships on call @ puntarenas port in pacific.

ecotourism extremely popular many tourists visiting extensive national parks , protected areas around country. costa rica pioneer in type of tourism , country recognized 1 of few real ecotourism. of 2006, total of 54% international tourists visited national parks or protected areas, visiting @ least 2 such natural refuges, , goes 3 european visitors.

in recent years, several of top travel service providers have been internationally recognized commitment planet-positive tourism. examples include nature air , hotel punta islita winners of tourism tomorrow awards, sponsored world travel , tourism council (wttc), , lapa rios ecolodge winner of rainforest alliance sustainable standard-setter.

the bandera azul program

implemented in 1996 , inspired similar program developed in europe in 1985, bandera azul ecológica (ecological blue flag) program intended promote development while curbing negative impacts of mass tourism helping local community work against pollution , protecting environment. program evaluates environmental quality of coastal areas, in terms of quality of beaches , sea water, access , quality of drinking water, water , waste management, security, , environmental education. depending on degree of compliance against optimal criteria established, number of stars awarded blue flag.

after first evaluation, ten beaches awarded distinction, highly publicized potential visitors. in 2008, based on evaluation carried out in 2007, 59 beaches kept distinction while 8 beaches lost it. in 2009, out of 81 applicants, 61 beaches won distinction, , 2 obtained maximum 5 stars, playa blanca in punta leona , playa langosta in santa cruz.

voluntary certification program

developed in 1997 costa rican tourism board, public agency responsible tourism development , regulation in country, voluntary certification sustainable tourism program (known cst) introduced in order turn concept of sustainability real improving way in natural , social resources utilized, motivate active participation of local communities, , support competitiveness of business sector. program aimed types of businesses in tourism industry, began lodging providers. 2007, total of 108 parameters considered cst evaluation.

cst hopes encourage businesses become sustainable in variety of ways, including using recycled products, implementing water , energy saving devices, disposing , treating waste, conserving , expanding costa rica s forests, , developing better systems of information management. of october 2009, out of approximately 3,000 hotels , tours operators, 105 have certification sustainable tourism. tour operators in u.s. , europe promote several small hotels hold certification through travel packages.

ethical traveler destination

costa rica included in both 2011 , 2012 lists of developing world s 10 best ethical destinations. annual ranking produced ethical traveler magazine, based on study of developing nations around world identify best tourism destinations among them. benchmarking uses categories such environmental protection, social welfare, , human rights.

costa rica absent list several years because world vision considered country among world s notorious destinations sexual predators. though problem has not disappeared, ethical traveler included costa rica on 2011 list of ethical destinations due government s serious efforts address human trafficking through increased public awareness campaigns, creating new office devoted human trafficking, , training officials.