The Manatus Hotel from Tortuguero, Costa Rica, received this 2015 the certification from the organization Rainforest Alliance (Rainforest Alliance Certified™) in recognition of its commitment to environmental conservationand its sustainable tourism practices.
Founded in 1987, Rainforest Alliance it’s an international nonprofit organization, committed to conservation and sustainable development. At the present time it operates in over 100 nations around the world.
The level 3 certification – the highest – obtained by Manatus is delivered to those hotels and tour operators, who have complied with social, environmental and economic integrated rules that conserve the natural resources, protect thewildlife and help local communities to prosper. The Rainforest Alliance Certification is in line with the global sustainable tourism criteria of the GlobalSustainable Tourism Council.
The recognition from Rainforest Alliance joins the Certificates of Excellencethat, for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014), were delivered to ManatusHotel by the travel website TripAdvisor.
What motivated the delivery of this important environmental recognition?
To achieve the Rainforest Alliance Certification, explains Roberto Sansó, owner of Manatus Hotel, an assessment took into account three segments: Business, socio-cultural and environmental. In these segments the international organism valued 204 areas and 30 critical indicators.
Manatus received an scored above 70% that allowed it to reach the RainforestAlliance level 3 verification on sustainable tourism, the highest granted by the organization.
“Our approach towards the environment and our administrative structure allowed us to achieve positive results, taking always into account that the work to improve our environmental policies is an every day job, and the quest to achieve the best practices in each of the evaluated issues is a priority in our company”, explained Sansó.
Among the environmental policies that made Manatus creditor of this certification in sustainability, are:
- Mitigates the emissions of Greenhouse Gases
- Makes a rational use of water and electricity
- Protects the native species of flora and fauna
- Takes action to ensure the conservation of natural areas surrounding the hotel
- Maintains an strict control of wastewaters
- Promotes the development of the local economy
A recognition that motivates the practicing of sustainable tourism
“It’s really important to know that we are on track, much remains to be done but the certification gives us the guidance to continue working on the same route and reach our goals. Our national and international partners can be confident that our product meets with sustainable standards and principles”, concluded Sansó.
