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The Costa Rica Tourist Board has announced a proposal designed to help cut tourism’s contribution to climate change throughout the country. As part of the government’s national strategy and the Peace with Nature initiative that aims to make the country carbon neutral by 2021, the proposal hopes to establish measurable initiatives throughout 100% of Costa Rica’s tourism industry also by the year 2021.
The Costa Rica Tourist Board, non-governmental organizations, tourism businesses, and chambers have united to lead this plan, and together they intend to mitigate the effects of climate change by insisting that the tourism sector participate in the initiative, which will help to promote competition while minimizing the risk of the greenhouse effect.
“This proposal represents the tourism sector’s commitment to further developing sustainable activities while measuring and guaranteeing the integrity and good practices of environmental conservation. Additionally, the methods used will compliment and promote sustainability throughout other areas of the tourism industry,” said Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides.
“Although worldwide tourism accounts for an estimated five percent of the Earth’s total greenhouse gas emissions, we have decided to commit ourselves to the environment. We will do this, not only by helping to mitigate the effects that the tourism chain has on climate change, but also by implementing other methods that will cause less damage,” he added.
The proposal is based on five pivotal points which include measurement; mitigation; vulnerability and adaptation of implemented change; and education and awareness, The Costa Rica Tourist Board hopes that this proposal will represent the starting point in implementing an action plan which will allow 100% of the tourism businesses in the country to be environmentally conscious entities by the year 2021. These efforts are designed to enable them in measuring their effects on the environment and provide them with the knowledge and information they need to allow them to take the necessary steps in reducing their impact on the Earth.
The strategy, as a whole, is part of a two-phase plan which will cover the tourism value chain, including hotels, transportation companies, tour operators, adventure programs, thematic parks, restaurants, and administrative offices. It will begin by educating all sectors on ways to reduce energy consumption; methods of water treatment and re-using water; techniques to contribute to the reforestation of wooded areas; tips for changing electrical appliances to those with low energy, and identifying full capacity for projects that are under construction. Additionally, the plan includes monitoring programs in resource management and waste treatment.
In an effort to have a positive impact on future initiatives, the program has included another portion which focuses on educating tourism industry students on topics such as climate change and the effects and measures that are necessary for implementing good environmental practices.
Set to launch in 2008-2009, the actions will bring together diverse goals to begin integrating industries throughout different periods through 2021. The proposal will be turned into the National Office for Climate Change at the Ministry for Energy and Environment to be added to the National Strategy for Climate Change.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is located in Central America, nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, and bordered on the east by the Caribbean Sea and the west by the Pacific Ocean. This small country represents only .01 % of the planet’s surface and it shelters almost 4% of the existing world’s biodiversity. It has given priority to the conservation of its natural resources, protecting 25% of its national territory through the creation of National Parks and other natural areas.
The country also offers world-class eco-tourism and adventure travel. The options are unlimited for any discriminating traveler: horseback riding on a secluded beach; hiking through the lush whispering greenery of a rainforest; having an exhilarating experience on a white-water rafting trip, observing the tropical forests from a canopy tour; surfing the blue waves of either coast; experiencing a quite, close encounter with different species of birds and wildlife; and enjoying the diverse culture and hospitality of the Ticos.
About the Costa Rica Tourist Board
The Costa Rica Tourist Board, created in 1955, is an autonomous institution of the State, responsible for regulating the tourism activity in Costa Rica and promoting Costa Rica’s tourism attractions and destinations both at a national and international level. The Costa Rica Tourist Board creates tourism norms, regulations, incentives and grants the tourist declaratory for Costa Rica’s hotels, travel agencies, rental cars and other tourism organization and service provider.
For general travel or tourism information about Costa Rica, contact the Costa Rica Tourist Board directly at 1-866-267-8274
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