Costa Rica - A Model for Sustainable Tourism

Sustainable Tourism can be viewed as a subset of a more far-reaching topic known as Developmental Sustainability. Sustainable development has been defined as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The graphic offers a useful description of how sustainability interacts with the social, economic and environmental aspects of human society. Sustainability is a standard that exceeds those of social-economic equitability, social-environmental bearability and economic-environmental viabilty. Those three might be looked at as lower level standards. They are the norm that development has been measured against. Sustainability seeks to exceed that norm.

With respect to the specific topic of "Sustainable Tourism" and Costa Rica's approach to it, there is no better place to start than the program sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Ministry (ICT) entitled "Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST)."

CST was designed to differentiate tourism sector businesses based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of environmental, cultural and social resource management. Firms that apply to the program are evaluated according to 4 categories:

1. Physical-biological parameter - evaluates the firm's interaction with the natural environment.
2. Infrastructure and Services - evaluates management policies and operational systems dealing with such issues as energy conservation and waste management.
3. External Clients - evaluates how well the firm invites participation of its clients in its program of sustainability.
4. Socio-Economic Environment - evaluates interactions with the local community.

In each area the firm is asked a series of questions concerning how well it complies with standards previously established for sustainability in social, economic and environmental fields. A rating is assigned to the company in each area with a final rating given according to the lowest level achieved in any of the 4 areas evaluated. Based on that the firm is assigned to a "level" of sustainability. The levels range from 1 to 5. If the firm is assigned to level 1, for instance, it means that the firm has taken first steps to attaining sustainability. A level 5 rating means that the company is outstanding in terms of sustainability. The program is designed for all companies operating in the tourism field, including lodging companies, travel agencies and tour operators. Certain incentives are provided for firms to attain higher levels, such as national recognition and international publicity and promotion.

Costa Rica is one of earth's great and last natural playgrounds that has largely been untouched by rampant and out-of-control development. However, in a blink of an eye that could all change. Costa Rica has become a world-class tourist destination and following on the heels of its spectacular tourist growth is a real estate market boom. Much of the development in the last years has not been done with an eye toward sustainability as poor local governments have looked the other way, or, worse, taken bribes, as developers have skirted laws aimed at environmental protection. Lately, the government has taken a hard line against such developers.