Turismo Sostenible CST: Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística en Costa Rica

At the country level, the CST is a brand that will allow Costa Rica to be different from other destination. It offers a tourism product with a connotation of sustainability. This will impact, not only the marketing policies undertaken by the country, but also it will control and eliminate the practice of some companies that abuse the concept of "eco", "green" or "sustainable". "The Certificate for Sustainable Tourism, known as CST, has been recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of the programs that is changing tourism. January 2000, San Jose, Costa Rica."

The program brings the possibility of having a new element of competitiveness based on a new way of differentiate the product. This element will be reinforced and promoted by the ICT, in tourism promotion campaigns, both nationally and internationally, as an incentive for touristic business.  Furthermore, the CST encourages companies to efficiently use their resources and promotes savings, which will have a positive impact on the company. For example, the use of energy saving technologies offer opportunities to reduce the expenses of the company.

The tourists that selects a tour company that has the logo of the CST can be sure that the company is engaged in actions, in all areas, to avoid negative impacts on the environment, culture and society.

The CST is an innovative program, which opens opportunities for business development in a sustainable way. The need to use recycled, reusable, and natural products, to use devices for energy and water savings, waste management, information and others, opens the door to a new market for environmentally and socially friendly products. This will generate a synergy among different economic sectors and an overall positive balance in terms of sustainability.