How Costa Rica Is Leading the Way in Sustainable Tourism

Travel is more than just a consumer good; It is a resource and a necessary experience. It is a resource and occasion for people to open their hearts to others, meet others, learn about the world, and know themselves.

That’s why we will never stop traveling, but we will change the way we travel. And it is necessary to take care of the planet. Costa Rica is doing a great job.

Costa Rica is one of the most ecological countries on the planet, and over the years it has been adhering to the concept of travel that is in harmony with nature, which has become a symbol of ecotourism. The recovery of tourism involves the implementation of sustainable models, following the example of Costa Rica.

Sustainable development is not only a practice in Costa Rica, but also a way of life. Responsible tourism is present in every region of the country, even permeating the government policies of different administrations and is popular with citizens and tourists, making the country one of the most sustainable destinations in the Americas.

Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez, pointed out that they know that the raw material for more meaningful activities for tourists is nature, so they must love it, not destroy it. “We have to respect.”

Pravida Life

In an exclusive interview with TravelPulse, Rodriguez explained that “the concept of conservation has two parts: one is to keep things as they are, while serving research and conservation. The other part is for enjoyment, not destructiveness.”

How is it? Isolate specific areas for visiting, while the rest isolate them from tourism. The largest park is open to the public for 7%, and the remaining 93% is inaccessible and protected. “On average,4% to 5% of our parks are open to the public. The secret to developing green spaces and providing sustainable tourism is to keep most of the green space closed and natural. ”

The minister referred to how Costa Rica has set an example of reforestation instead of deforestation and increased the green area from 25% to 56%. Today, tourism generates 8.1% of the GDP of Central American countries, and the Minister recognizes that tourism brings benefits as well as social and economic progress in areas that have not yet been reached by traditional industries.

Rodríguez confirmed that sustainable development in Costa Rica focuses on environmental, social and economic factors. “By these standards, we have marketed the country in terms of tourism, and we have had success, which is why we launched this new promotion.”

“Sales appeal is not one thing, but the experience we can bring to foreign tourists, thus enriching their leisure or family trips,” he said.

Efforts Are Recognized

Costa Rica is a pioneer in sustainable development and safe ecotourism, having received the Champions of the Earth Award, the UN’s highest environmental award, for its role in protecting nature and its commitment to combating climate change.

It’s time for the industry to reinvent its model to eliminate the social and environmental consequences of overcrowding. In the new reality, one of the ways that change the most is the way you travel. Costa Rica is well positioned for all the roads it has traveled and serves as a model for new tourism.

Costa Rica has a detailed plan to decarbonize its economy by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through this initiative, the country hopes to pave the way for other countries to curb greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change and its devastating effects. Costa Rica’s success in placing environmental issues at the centre of its political and economic strategy proved that sustainable development was achievable and economically viable. So, if protecting the planet is one of your top priorities, you won’t find a better destination.

Where to start? Costa Rica has it all: it has 6.5% of the world’s biodiversity. This paradise covering more than 51,000 square kilometers (slightly larger than Aragon) is home to more than 230 species of mammals, 850 species of birds and 12,000 species of plants. In addition, tourists will find the quality of its beautiful beaches, the average annual temperature between 20 and 27 degrees, and the tourism model that promotes the local economy and facilitates the reintegration of animal species into their natural habitat. These are some suggestions for enjoying a unique experience in Costa Rica.

Rodriguez uses a famous quote to promote tourism in Costa Rica:

• Pura Vida, which can be heard from the moment you get off the plane in Costa Rica, smells Pura Vida in a cup dripping with coffee.
• Pura Vida can be felt in the scale and magic of tropical forests and cloud forests.
• Pura Vida can be tasted with fresh ceviche (gallo pinto) or fresh fruit.
• Pura Vida is a stopgap measure on the Nicoya peninsula, one of the blue zones of the world, where the inhabitants are over 100 years old.

For this and more, we are proud to say that Costa Rica is Pravida, welcoming visitors with open arms all year round.