1. ertification for
ustainable
ourism in Hotels
Presented by:
Amanda
Benjamin
Karon
Tabetha

2. History of CST
• Established in 1996 by the Tourism Board
• The first program in the world to evaluate the
environmental and socioeconomic
sustainability of hotels
• In 2000 was recognized by the World Tourism
Organization

3. Certification of
Sustainable Tourism
 227 Hotels certified
 Questionnaire consists of 153 questions in four
categories
 Total Score= Sum of SI + EG + PG/PM

4. P
L
A
C
E
Y
O
U
R
T
R
A
S
H
H
E
R
E

5. Visited Hotels
Hotel CST Leaf Rating
La Quinta Lodge 5 Leaves
Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge 3 Leaves
La Tirimbina 4 Leaves
Pozo Azul 5 Leaves
Selva Verde Lodge 4 Leaves
Ara Ambiqua Lodge 2 Leaves

6. La Quinta Lodge
• Opened for 22 years and started with 2 CST leaves
• Has 5 Leaves that took 15 years to attain
• Goal in Sustainability is to preserve the environment’s treasures for
future generations.
• Started with 4 rooms and now has 28 rooms

7. Examples in
Sustainability
 I. Infrastructural Developments
 A. Biodigester- takes water from kitchen & toilet to produce
biogas which is used to generate heat for washers & dryers
 Treats waste water that produces pure water that is 5% cleaner
that the Costa Rican Law requirement
 B. Electricity
 Records and analyzes the times of the day when electricity is
expensive

8. Examples in Sustainability
 B. Electricity/Water
 Uses natural light to reduce
electricity
 Records and analyzes the
times of the day when
electricity is expensive
 Measures Water to figure
guest consumption

9. Social Aspects of CST
I. “Happy Schools” Program
II. Use Decorations used by locals
III. Goal in Hiring Locals
IV. Educating Visitors

10. Sarapequis Rainforest
Lodge
“Promote, Educate & Influence”

11. Hotel Rooms
Breakdown
 Conic Shape
 Three Different
Palenque
 34 rooms total
 Breakfast included
 ADR- $125.00

12. CST
Implemented
Practices
Biological Physical
Environment:
Following practices are
implemented at this eco
lodge
 2.1
 3.1
 4.1
 5.1
 And more!

13. La Tirimbina

14. Background/History
 4 leafs
 In 2012 they started working with CST.
 Left program in 2012 returned to it in 2014.
 In the process of getting caught up with the program.
 Been working with CST for three months.
 363 hectares of protected forest.
 Officially became a wildlife refuge center in 2002.

15. Philosophy of CST
 Physical-biologic: They protect
the flora and fauna.
 Socio-Economic: They have
programs for the local
community, and schools, open
house, and free tours.

16. Sustainable Practices
• All paper is recycled.
• Solar panels for the rooms.
• Biodigestor
• Recycling stations throughout the
property.
• Garbage is given to local enterprise.
• The oil from the kitchen is sent to someone
to make biodiesel.
• All decorations are made in Costa Rica.
• Supplies brought locally, difficult to buy
from San José $$$.

17. Activities that promote
sustainability
 In the rooms there are signs that
remind visitors to shut water and
lights off when not being used.
 They hold an open house for the
community of Sarapiqui. The
purpose of the activity is to inform
the community of Sarapiqui about
conservation for the wildlife and
forests.
 They have a program for kids,
“Classroom In the Forest” they learn
about science and work with
Tirimbina LNT program.

18. Improvements
 Trying to improve customer
service.
 Trying to get caught up with
CST.
 Organization of
documentation.
 Couldn‘t get re-evaluated last
year, no time for paperwork.

19. Rooms
 12 Standard.
 2 rooms for large groups.
 6 economic rooms.
 Window in bathrooms instead of fan.

20. Pozo Azul

21. Background/History
 5 leafs 2011
 Camping and adventure style
 Tents
 Opened in 2008 and certified in
2011.
 Family owned

22. Sustainable Practices
 No AC, TV
 Solar panels to warm water.
 Labeled trashcans
 “no picking signs, feeding animals” signs on
property.
 Buildings are open to allow natural light and air in.
 Organic farm
 No smoking
 Trees have signs with name of them on it.
 LED lights

23. Sustainable Practices cont.
 Information binder in each tents.
 Biodigestor
 Locals make decorations.
 Workers live on property.
 No pool
 Tree planting program.
 Signs in rooms turn lights and water off.
 All of their cleaning products are biodegradable.
 Electricity in all tents.

24. Activities that promote
sustainability
 Tree planting program.
 Works with local school on
sustainability.
 They promote adventure
activities.

25. Rooms

26. Selva Verde Lodge
 Oldest hotel in Sarapiqui, 35 years old
 4 leaves; $100-130 per night, 47 rooms
 “Selva Verde began with one woman’s
dream of preserving nearly 500 acres of
endangered tropical forest and the
multitude of species that call it home.” –
John Earl Kneisler (Selva Verde Lodge
Pamphlet)
 “Today we continue Giovanna Holbrook’s
commitment to a sustainable future –
proudly carrying Costa Rica’s Certification
for Sustainable Tourism and working with
conservation partners such as the Sarapiqui
Conservation Learning Center.” – John Earl
Kneisler (Selva Verde Lodge Pamphlet)
Painted by
local artist
Most signs around
lodge done by locals

27. Selva Verde - Sustainable
Practices
 Implemented sustainable practices before CST program existed
 Most products for sale made by local artists & do not harm the
environment
 Uses recycled paper & paper products
 Purchases products in re-useable containers
 Compost system to recycle organic waste
 Solar panels to heat water/energy for rooms
 Biodegradable cleaning products
 “Green classroom program” – Sustainability, Conservation,
Preservation
 Improvements? Way they collect evidence, more people to keep
track; Programs and projects
Selvaverde.com

28. Ara Ambigua
Lodge
 Family owned business
 2 leaves; $100-140 per night, 43 rooms
 “At Ara Ambigua Lodge owners and
employees committed to change the
way we did things and focused on
having more consciousness with regard
to environmental friendliness. We have
succeeded in implementing best
practices with a model that is
responsible and sustainable to the
extent possible.” –Araambigua.com

29. Ara Ambigua Lodge –
Sustainable Practices
Outdoor bins for
recycling
 Joined CST a few years ago; Rainforest Alliance influenced
owner and fell in love with the concept
 Many items in gift shop made by local artists
 Owner makes some decorations around lodge
 Buy some produce locally (plantains, yuka, lemons &
pineapple)
 Work with local schools on a garbage picking up
campaign
 Binder in rooms to inform guests about CST practices
 Continue working with CST program because it saves them
money on monthly electric bill
 Improvements? Recently hired an individual to keep up with
CST paperwork

30. Works Cited
Andrea. "La Tirimbina." Interview. n.d.: n. pag. Print.
Certification for Sustainable Tourism. N.p., n.d. Web.
Nadia. "Sarapiquis." Costa Rica, Sarapiquis. July
2015. Lecture.
"Pozo Azul." Interview by Jeanse. n.d.: n. pag. Print.
Sarapiquis. "Rates." Rates. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 July
2015.
Sergio. "Selva Verde Lodge." Interview. n.d.: n. pag.
Print.