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For the very first time, the winner of our Making a Difference award is a car rental company!

Costa Rica's Mapache Rent A Car was founded in 1994 and has become a leading transportation company in the country. It has also been recognized for its pioneering efforts to conserve the environment by obtaining the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) and Ecological Blue Flag recognition in the category of "Actions to Address Climate Change". In addition, Mapache is the only car rental company that's certified as 100% carbon neutral under the National Standards for Carbon Neutrality.

We talked to Jackeline López, Mapache's administrative and sustainability manager, to learn about their Earth-conscious efforts.

Question: When and why did Mapache Rent A Car decide to start becoming a sustainable business?

López: We started about 6 or 7 years ago, because we recognized the impact our business had on the environment.

Q: You obtained a very high rating (4 leaves) from the CST, and you are the first car rental company in Costa Rica to achieve the carbon neutrality seal. What are the main challenges you faced to achieve this and what were the most important improvements made?

López: We had to start working internally to raise the awareness of all our staff and on adapting our business practices to meet the requirements of these certifications. This required a major commitment, with tasks as detailed as taking traceable measurements of our carbon emissions and creating a management system.

Q: How many vehicles are in the Mapache fleet and how many emissions are being reduced under the carbon neutrality seal?

López: We have 400 modern vehicles with cutting-edge technology that receive proper maintenance for proper emissions control. Our goal is to reduce an average of 6.81 tons of carbon per year.

Q: What are some of your most outstanding sustainability initiatives?

López: Achieving carbon neutrality is one of the most outstanding, because offsetting carbon emissions also supports reforestation. We also partner with several NGOs to conserve forest and water resources. Finally, we support the protection of children and adolescents in Costa Rica; for example, we support a comprehensive care center for children facing domestic violence.

Q: How do you involve your customers in these efforts?

López: By renting Mapache Rent A Car vehicles, our customers directly support all of our projects. In addition, by choosing to support our "Clean travel" program, they offset all of the emissions generated by the vehicle they have rented.

Q: How do you plan to continue improving the company's sustainability?

López: We'll keep measuring and analyzing our impact, increase our savings, and we hope to have fully 'smart' offices.

This entry was posted on October 9, 2013 at 7:04 PM and has received 1020 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

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The Amazon jungle area near the border between Ecuador and Peru is one of the most remote and well-protected parts of the western Amazon Basin. It is a pristine region surrounded by forests are home to at least 19 species of mammals, and 37 species of amphibians as well as 11 reptile and 250 bird species. Also in this region is an indigenous community called the Achuar or "the people of the achu palm" -- a plant that is abundant in the swamps of the area.

The Achuar still maintain their rich ancestral traditions, and for years they have made a living from subsistence agriculture, hunting, fishing, and gathering in the tropical moist forest. In 1993, these communities decided to venture into tourism as a new opportunity for economic development.

In 1996, the Achuar allied with an Ecuadorian entrepreneur to found Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve. The hotel was built by local craftsmen using materials from the area and in a native style. About 90 percent of Kapawi's staff is Achuar, and they ensure that the hotel's operations are "ecologically responsible and culturally sensitive" according to the dictates of their own lifestyle.

After only a few years, the community project became a complete success. National Geographic named it one of the "Best Hotels in Ecuador" in 2011 and it won the Ecuador Prize of the United Nations 2010 Program for Development, the "Ecotourism Award 2002" from Skal International Tourism Professionals, and the "Ecotourism Excellence 2000" prize from Conservation International. This year, the Rainforest Alliance recognized Kapawi as a "2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter" during its annual gala in New York City.

General manager Andres Ordóñez tells us about Kapawi's success as a business, an engine of development, and a tool for preserving Achuar culture.

Question: Why did the Achuar opt for tourism instead of other activities to diversify their income?

Ordóñez : When the project began in the mid-1990s, the economic development outlook for these communities was not very positive. In decades past, there had been a lot of conflict stemming from oil exploration and exploitation. Agriculture was not a good option either due to geographical conditions, and because the local people needed nothing more than their vegetable gardens for home consumption anyway. So tourism emerged as an innovative proposal that allowed them to generate revenue, fulfill their desire for recognition, consolidate themselves as a nationality, and obtain legal possession of their lands. Moreover, it made them pioneers in the region.

Q: How have the local people benefited from Kapawi's great success?

O: More than a brand and a business, the hotel is the spearhead of the Achuar Nationality of Ecuador. Kapawi has become a tool for preserving Achuar culture and lands through sustainable tourism, which has generated many jobs and training opportunities, and has exposed these communities to the world as the guardians of the jungle.

Q: Can you expand on how the hotel contributes to the economic welfare of Achuar communities?

O: In addition to providing employment and training, the funds raised from tourist entry fees are delivered quarterly to the community for various needs. The priority is to support health and education, so money is first allocated to clinics and schools. Then the administrative costs of the six communities are divided up, and additional money is investmented in training, workshops and innovative projects, such as building the first solar canoe of the Amazon, now in the final implementation phase.

Q: Why did Kapawi seek SmartVoyager certification and Rainforest Alliance Verification?

O: Certifications and verifications help support responsible management by endorsing our hard work and reinforcing the actions the hotel is taking for sustainability.

Q: How did Kapawi's employees feel about receiving the Rainforest Alliance's "2013 Sustainable Standard-Setter Award"?

O: The news was received with a lot of excitement due to the award's international significance and because the Rainforest Alliance has been special ally of Kapawi's for many years. This award recognized the communities' management, particularly Kapawi's staff, who consider themselves to be Ecuadorians who understand the importance of sustainability. We are very proud to be one of the few companies that have sustainable tourism as the core of its operations.

Q: What are the main challenges the lodge is facing?

O: The main challenge is keeping Achuar culture active and alive, because the temptations to deviate are many. The hotel is now 100 percent owned by the community, which is a great achievement--but it also means that the owners do not yet have sufficient economic resources to recapitalize and innovate, which is essential for facing regional competition and growing costs.

Q: Is it more difficult to keep the traditional culture alive when you must adapt to the modern needs of the business, such as adopting new technologies and learning other languages?

O: As Darwin said, "The species that survives is the one that adapts to changes." Contemporary dynamism accelerates some changes, but the Achuar have maintained a relationship of harmony and respect with their land, which has been the keystone to preserving strong ties with their roots and maintaining a business based on their traditions. Technology, the internet, and learning languages are business tools that strengthen the company and help the Achuar share their culture with the world.

Q: How do you plan to maintain and improve Kapawi Ecolodge's sustainable tourism business model?

O: We have to maintain practices for cultural and environmental sustainability while working simultaneously on business model innovation. We want Kapawi's positive impact to reach more communities and boost productive development. We are already working on this and we hope to start a new phase in 2014.

Q: How has your life changed since you starting working at Kapawi?

O: I have worked in the tourism sector for 18 years and in community tourism for 10 years; however, this work is special. Working at Kapawi involves extraordinary commitment and long term dedication because we must not only meet the objectives of the business, but also support the vision of an entire people--of 7,000 people who want to preserve their culture and nature and live in harmony with it.

This entry was posted on July 9, 2013 at 1:01 PM and has received 1994 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Swiss Travel is one of Costa Rica's leading travel and destination management agencies. For over forty years, Swiss Travel has taken on the task of promoting tourism in Cost Rica and, even more importantly, it has worked to make the industry grow responsibly beside nature and local communities. In recognition of its efforts, this Rainforest Alliance Verified and CST certified company is the recipient of this month's "Making a Difference" award.

Swiss Travel marketing manager José Pablo Salas details the efforts Swiss Travel has made to become a sustainable company and how that has benefited them.

Question: How did Swiss Travel begin?

Salas: Swiss Travel Service began in 1972, focusing on inbound tourism for Costa Rica. We were pioneers in a virtually unknown industry, where the word "tourism" was not common. Nationals traveled to certain destinations that were nearby and popular, but it was difficult to find foreign tourists like we do today. Hotel accommodations in the country were very poor and we didn't have the technology or the marketing tools that are available now, but we believed in Costa Rica's potential.

Q: In those years, the concept of sustainable tourism was very new. What motivated Swiss Travel to be a responsible tour operator?

S: The concept of sustainable tourism was virtually unknown at the time, but it has always been essential for Swiss Travel to develop activities that care for the environment where we invite our customers. These locations are our main asset, and our commitment to conserve it has been a factor that makes us stand out. Ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism is an effort that fills us with pride and satisfaction because this is how we contribute to the country's development and help current and future generations to enjoy the natural beauty of our country.

Q: How would you describe your approach to sustainable tourism?

S: We focus on implementing best business practices based on the three pillars of sustainable tourism: the environment, the economic context, and the sociocultural setting of the organization. These best practices are reflected in every action the company takes, both in its workforce and with all the parties involved in our activities. For our efforts, we obtained the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) program, as well as Rainforest Alliance Verification, which have permeated throughout our company.

Q: What are some of your most outstanding sustainability initiatives?

S: We've developed operating manuals, policies, and procedures to ensure respect for the environment. These cover all of the company's activities and involve guides, drivers, plant personnel, and the tourists themselves.

For example, we have reduced paper usage by over 50 percent thanks to policies for saving and efficiently using resources, and our vehicle fleet follows strict maintenance standards to prevent pollution. We have tried to go the extra mile, turning ourselves into one of the few (if not the only) tour operator in the country that has a sewage and gray water treatment plant and submits operational reports to the Ministry of Health, ensuring the proper disposal of our liquid wastes. We also have a fully-equipped collection center at our facilities to ensure strict control of solid waste.

In collaboration with agencies, institutions, and other private businesses, we help promote the conservation of protected areas and assist diverse communities and programs with environmental protection and social development. The initiative we are most proud of is a reforestation program near Palo Verde National Park and the Tenorio Miravalles Biological Corridor in Guanacaste, developed in conjunction with the Allies Against Climate Change Program and the Ministry of Public Education, which has declared the area in the public interest. The program involves local schoolchildren in awareness-raising activities, environmental education, and reforestation with native species.

Q: How do you help communities foster tourism while conserving natural and cultural wealth?

S: Swiss Travel operates throughout the country with different communities that have different needs. Therefore, our strategy is to listen to their needs first and then propose joint projects together. In our experience, the initiatives that arise from this are truly sustainable over time. For example, we have ongoing activities that involve our cruise ship groups and the surrounding communities, where we support fairs that promote their cultural treasures, traditional costumes, art, local food, crafts, and more.

We also make donations to various social and environmental causes and we encourage our customers and intermediary businesses to make donations or collaborate with local communities or NGOs.

Q: Is it difficult for a company as large and diversified as Swiss Travel to maintain its sustainable performance in different areas?

S: It involves a lot of effort and the implementation of management systems for continuing improvement that require us to have ongoing assessments, rigid controls, and readjustment whenever necessary. This requires major documentation, systems for additional information, and constant updates in this area and about the newest options in the markets.

Q: Why is it important for the company to have CST certification and Rainforest Alliance Verification?

S: It's relatively easy to say that a company is "green" or "eco"; the difficult part is proving it. These verifications and certifications provide significant backing for the transparency of the business and the best practices it carries out.

Q: What are the benefits of being a sustainable company and have a "green" image?

S: We receive many benefits, such as higher efficiency in our processes, more orderly documentation, and better economic performance (positive cost-benefit impact) thanks to our optimization of resource use. This has also led to greater engagement and environmental awareness among our collaborators as we establish better relations with the community and create partnerships that, together with a greater understanding of the immediate and national environment, better prepare us to respond to risks and uncertainties of all kinds. In addition, this image allows us to be more competitive because we can offer differentiated products.

This entry was posted on June 25, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 566 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Manual Antonio is one of the most idyllic destinations in Costa Rica. Located on the central Pacific coast, it is famous for its white sand beaches, calm and warm waters, the surrounding rainforest that is rich in biodiversity, and the amazing panoramic ocean views that you can enjoy from many hotels located atop the hills.

One of these hotels is Si Como No Resort Spa & Wildlife Refuge, a stunning boutique hotel that combines nature, sustainability, luxury, and a breathtaking ocean view. Si Como No is a little oasis with 58 rooms nestled in the jungle, two full-service restaurants, two pools, a THX movie theater, a world-class spa and a 30-acre private wildlife refuge.

This entry was posted on June 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM and has received 530 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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On the famous Lake Atitlán, known as the "mirror of the sky," is the Jardines del Lago Hotel and Convention Center. Each year, thousands of tourists visit this destination in Guatemala to enjoy its unmatched scenic beauty, rich nature and a mystical world, filled with the Maya traditions that have survived in the indigenous communities of the peoples that live around the lake.

Jardines del Lago Hotel is this month's winner of our recognition for Making a Difference. This hotel, verified by the Rainforest Alliance and certified by Great Green Deal , stands out for its strong commitment to conserving the environment and supporting local communities.

Heymi Patricia Ajcalón, the hotel's assistant for development and sustainability, tells us about the sustainability initiatives conducted by the hotel.

Question: How long ago did the Jardines del Lago Hotel and Convention Center decide to implement sustainable tourism practices and why?

Ajcalón: In February 2009, we realized that we should implement sustainable actions due to the nature of our tourism activities and the environmental importance of our location.

Q: What noteworthy sustainable initiatives are you carrying out?

A: We take measures to save electricity and lower water consumption. For example, there are energy-saving lighting systems in all hotel facilities and solar heaters for the showers. We've installed alternative ventilation systems so we can limit the use of air conditioning, and we are reusing the water treated within the hotel to irrigate the gardens.

We use biodegradable products and buy products in bulk to reduce the amount of waste generated. All of our organic wastes are converted to compost that we use as organic fertilizer in the gardens, while all inorganic wastes are sent to the municipality's collection center. We also use efficient vehicles to reduce our CO2 emissions.

On the social side, we provide all legal benefits to our employees plus additional benefits offered by the hotel owner, and we support the socio-cultural events held by the surrounding communities.

Q: What additional support do you offer to local communities?

A: We provide cash or in-kind donations and we often allow community members to use our facilities at no cost for social and cultural activities. We also buy natural shampoo and soap for our guests from the women's organization in the department of Solola. In addition, we communicate our sustainability initiatives to primary and secondary schools and universities, provide a space for learning, and give lectures on sustainability.

Q: Lake Atitlan is one of the most beautiful sites in Guatemala, but it has also suffered from pollution and the negative impact of tourism. How does your hotel take care of this lake and the wildlife that depends on it?

A: We conducted a lake cleanup rally with the collaboration of the company's entire staff, and we participate in other initiatives organized by the Municipal Environmental Commission of Panajachel.

Q: How can your guests get involved with your sustainability activities?

A: In all of our hotel facilities, we post informational signs to raise awareness among guests and visitors about saving water and electricity. We also have a Ten Card inside the rooms that tells guests to place it on the sheets and towels they want to have washed and replaced, which helps us save water and detergent.

The hotel's corridors have marked bins so that everyone can help with sorting wastes. We also invite guests to respect the cultures and customs of the communities near the Lake Atitlan watershed and to not introduce exotic species at any site they visit.

Q: Why is the Jardines del Lago Hotel and Convention Center so special compared to other hotels in the area?

A: We stand out for our sustainability activities and our perseverance for continuing improvement. In addition, our facilities and grounds are unique; no other hotel can offer the panorama that you will enjoy from our rooms and gardens.

This entry was posted on May 1, 2013 at 11:32 AM and has received 413 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Staying at a sustainable hotel is a great way to minimize the impact of your vacation – but what about when you leave your hotel? The businesses you support, attractions you see, transportation you use, and virtually everything else you do will all have some effect on the environment and local community. The only way to be sure of your impact would be if the entire destination was sustainable. Sound impossible? Thanks to the work of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), sustainable destinations are now on the horizon.

The GSTC created the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, which are a set of widely used standards that hotels and tour operators must reach in order to be considered sustainable. More recently, in addition to targeting individual tourism businesses, the GSTC has turned their attention to creating a set of criteria that encompass destinations as a whole.

According to the GSTC website, "Destination stewardship is a process by which local communities, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the tourism industry take a multi-stakeholder approach to maintaining the cultural, environmental, economic, and aesthetic integrity of their country, region, or town." In other words, destinations are best protected when all of these groups – private citizens, government, and businesses – work together in a coordinated effort to protect their home. All destinations are different, so the criteria are meant to be a set of minimum standards that each destination should add to or adjust based on its unique needs. The goal of the criteria is to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefits for host communities.

Overseeing this process will be a "tourism management organization," or a group responsible for a coordinated approach to implementing sustainability. This will mostly likely be formed by a government agency and/or non-profit organization. This group would be responsible for establishing and implementing an overarching sustainable tourism strategy that considers environmental, economic, social, health, and safety issues, and was developed with public participation. Climate change adaptation, equal access for people with disabilities, and prevention of sexual exploitation are some key aspects of the destinations criteria.

Last year, the GSTC released a set of draft criteria for sustainable destinations based on input from experts around the globe. All interested persons and organizations were able to comment and suggest improvements during the public consultation phase, which ended last month.

Now, some early adopters have been selected to test and provide feedback on the destinations criteria. Most recently added were the Cusco-Sacred Valley-Machu Picchu corridor in Peru and the shores of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas, and Frutillar in the lakes region of Chile. These destinations were specifically chosen because of their demonstrated interest and commitment to sustainable practices. But it is the GSTC's hope (and ours!) that this is the next step toward a world in which sustainable tourism--and sustainable destinations--are the norm.

This entry was posted on April 25, 2013 at 2:38 PM and has received 1326 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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In 2009, the President of Costa Rica declared that the country would become the first in the world to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021. Since then, government officials have joined with the agricultural, energy, and tourism sectors to take action towards achieving that goal.

Although tourism is not one of the highest carbon-emitting activities, a study by the World Tourism Organization shows that the tourism sector generates 5% of the total CO2 emitted into the atmosphere, and as the industry is rapidly growing, it's important for tourism businesses to commit to reducing global emissions. In Costa Rica, several lodging, transportation, adventure parks, and tour operator companies are making efforts to take inventory of their CO2 emissions and follow the necessary steps to reduce and offset them. Many of these businesses have even opted for certification or accreditation as carbon neutral companies.

If you plan to visit Costa Rica, famous for its abundant nature, heavenly beaches, and a long tradition of conserving the environment and its natural treasures, see our directory to find sustainable business options that are also climate-friendly:

Hotel Montaña de Fuego: Located near the impressive Arenal Volcano in the northern zone of the country, this hotel has a carbon neutral certification that even applies to the special events and adventure tours it offers.

Las Colinas Hotel: The hotel has achieved carbon neutral certification from the Costa Rica Neutral organization since 2010. As part of this effort, Las Colinas offers a tour for guests to visit the La Fortuna regeneration project where they can plant a tree from a certified source, helping to mitigate their vacation. The hotel is also near Arenal Volcano.

Hotel Presidente : This historic hotel in the heart of San Jose, the nation's capital, was the first in Costa Rica to be certified carbon neutral. They achieved this by reducing energy use, improving facilities, educating staff, and participating in a reforestation program with the organization CarbonFund.org.

Rancho Margot: This innovative farm and lodge is a model in the field of sustainable community development, permaculture, and self-sufficiency. Located in La Fortuna de San Carlos, it is the first and only company in Costa Rica with a negative carbon footprint under PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality Certification, administered by Carbon Clear.

Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort: Tabacón is a luxurious 5-star hotel, famous for its hot springs and location near Arenal Volcano. It is certified carbon neutral and its climate-friendly actions include having water heated by the volcano rather than by electric heaters and 865 acres (350 hectares) of forested land on the property.

Mar y Selva Lodge: This hotel was declared carbon neutral thanks to donations made to plant trees during the national campaign "Neutralizing Climate Change 2009-2010." It is located in idyllic Ballena Bay, in the southern part of the country.

Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Pacific: This 222-acre (90-hectare) ecotourism project includes aerial cable cars that carry guests through the canopy of a private reserve. The company has carbon neutral certification from EARTH University, thanks to efforts such as its Adopt-a-Hectare program, which protects hundreds of acres worldwide through a tree planting program for children who visit the park.

This entry was posted on April 16, 2013 at 3:06 PM and has received 1094 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

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How would you like to visit the country with the second-highest level of biodiversity in the world? Besides its breathtaking natural setting, this country produces some of the best quality coffee and the most beautiful emeralds on the planet. Its people are known for their great warmth and the best rumbas of South America.

This alluring country is Colombia.

Located on the southeastern border of Panama, Colombia is a country that has almost everything: beautiful beaches on its Pacific and Caribbean shores, lush forests and Amazon jungles, deserts, snow-capped mountains, a pleasant tropical climate, cosmopolitan cities and a rich cultural heritage. It is home to 102 indigenous ethnic groups, around 64 Amerindian and Afro-Columbian languages, more than 30 traditional festivals, and 191 folk rhythms. UNESCO has named seven cultural traditions as elements of Intangible Cultural Heritage and seven natural and cultural properties as World Heritage sites.

Thanks to these various attractions, highly increased government security measures, and improved political and social stability in recent years, Colombia is being reborn in the eyes of the world as an excellent tourist destination. Between 2001 and 2011, the number of visitors to the country grew by 10% per year on average, which is almost four times the world average.

Tourism in Colombia is a huge industry and offers something for every type of visitor. The country officially promotes 17 specialized tour themes, including sun and sand, culture, agrotourism, nature, cruises, diving, golf, bird-watching, religious tourism, and wellness tourism.

For example, ecotourists can enjoy dozens of protected areas, which encompass ten percent of the national territory, or they can venture into the Colombian Amazon region, which represents one third of the country. They can tour the Archipelago of San Andrés and Providencia or visit Cartagena, San Blas, and Santa Marta--tourist favorites that they combine beautiful beaches with nature and colonial history.

The Colombian coasts are also a delight for diving, snorkeling, and sailing enthusiasts, with plentiful coral and endemic and migratory marine species, such as sea turtles and humpback whales that visit from July to October.

Another popular destination is the Coffee Triangle, or the area in the beautiful highlands of the Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda departments, where you'll find the heart of Colombian coffee farming and a reflection of authentic rural life.

The different routes connecting the Triangle offer the opportunity to visit and stay in typical coffee haciendas, tour small coffee farms managed by local families, and, of course, taste what many consider to be the best coffee in the world. You can also go horseback riding or biking in the mountains, go bird-watching, participate in adventure sports, tour nearby towns, and visit the Coffee Park and Panaca theme parks. Because of its beauty and high cultural value, the Colombian coffee landscape was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011.

Finally, you can't go to Colombia without appreciating its large cosmopolitan cities: Cali, Bogotá, and Medellín.

Bogotá, the nation's capital, is known as the "Athens of South America" and is compared with cities like London and Buenos Aires. It is the financial and political center of the country, home to famous universities, exquisite architecture, a modern transportation system, museums, and endless accommodation options for visitors. Medellín is considered the cultural center of Colombia and is a vibrant and modern city that still retains a regional charm. Meanwhile, Cali is positioned as the world capital of salsa--the perfect destination for those who want to dance and enjoy authentic Colombian rumbas.

All of Colombia's charms can be enjoyed sustainably. The government has tools such as the Quality Tourism Certification and the Colombian Environmental Seal to identify and distinguish services and products that meet certain environmental and social criteria. The international seal SmartVoyager also certifies tourism businesses in the country.

Visit our directory for a list of sustainable businesses in Colombia and discover this up-and-coming tourism destination before the rest of the world catches on!

This entry was posted on March 5, 2013 at 7:53 AM and has received 1185 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

When you think of Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the first thing that comes to mind may be dozens of megahotels and the sprawling, enormous infrastructure that's required to accommodate millions of tourists - in 2011 alone, 3.6 million people vacationed in this region of Mexico.

However, this region is more than enormous cruise ships, spring breakers, and huge hotels. Off its magnificent beaches lies the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest in the world. Also nearby are majestic, ancient Maya archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza, Cobá, and Ek'Balam, as well as the charming colonial city of Valladolid and other Mexican towns rich in culture and history.

Unfortunately, the ecosystems in the surrounding area have suffered from negative impacts due to an overdeveloped tourism industry, such as depletion of natural resources, pollution and destruction of coral reefs, and habitat fragmentation.

Many tourism businesses have recognized the need to transform their business practices to alleviate some of these negative impacts, and have made a commitment to take steps toward creating a more sustainable industry.

One such effort is the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI), formed in 2006 by stakeholders from the tourism industry (hotels, cruise ship companies, and more), several conservation NGOs, and the government of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located. The goal is to transform tourism in the Riviera Maya, Cancun, and Cozumel. MARTI encourages the region's hotels to meet strict international standards for sustainability by adopting best practices such as protecting coastal habitats, conserving electricity and water, protecting wildlife, and supporting the economic and social development of local communities.

The initiative also works with stakeholders working in marine tourism, such as cruise ships, navigational services, marine protected areas, and tour operators by developing tools such as treating wastewater, educating passengers, and setting up guidelines for activities like snorkeling, in order to protect fragile marine habitats.

After receiving training, technical assistance, and incorporating best practices, 21 hotels and large hotel chains in the Mexican Caribbean have adopted the MARTI Environmental Management System and some also have acquired sustainable tourism certifications from Green Globe, Earth Check and the Mexican Standards for Ecotourism, as well as the Rainforest Alliance Verification for tourism businesses, all of which are aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria.

Thanks to this work, it is estimated that some 30,000 hotel rooms are already managed sustainably, more than 60 marine recreation companies are participating in MARTI's Environmental Walk-Through program, more than 900 dive and snorkel guides are trained in MARTI's best practices, as are more than 300 construction professionals, among others.

If you have thought twice about visiting the Mexican Caribbean, it's time to consider it again! There are many beautiful, luxurious, and most importantly, sustainable hotels and tour operators to choose from. Visit SustainableTrip.org's hotel database to find many of the hotels in Cancun and the Riviera Maya that are participating in MARTI, and/or are certified, or Rainforest Alliance verified.

This entry was posted on October 2, 2012 at 12:03 PM and has received 1047 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

We believe that you, the informed and responsible consumer, are the most important component in building a sustainable future. So we don't want you to just take our word for it that the hotels and tour operators in our SustainableTrip.org directory are sustainable – we want you to understand why and how they were chosen, and what sustainability means to us.

In our efforts to combat "green washing ," we have established very strict sustainability requirements for the hotels and tour operators that we include in our directory. But what are those requirements based on? How can we be fair to businesses who want be listed on our site, while at the same time providing the best and most credible resource for responsible travelers?

From the start, we have accepted hotels and tour operators that have made a demonstrated commitment to a stringent set of requirements called the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, set forth by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The GSTC Criteria are a set of minimum universal requirements that all tourism businesses around the world can adhere to in order to protect their region's natural and cultural resources while remaining a means of promoting conservation and providing income to the local community.

The Criteria were developed in 2008 by the GSTC Partnership, a coalition of more than 50 organizations brought together by the Rainforest Alliance , the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Foundation , and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The partners built upon decades of prior work and experience to create a comprehensive set of criteria divided into four topics: sustainable management, socioeconomic impacts, cultural impacts, and environmental impacts.

It's important to note that the Criteria are the minimum requirements in order for tourism businesses to be considered sustainable – they are designed to be supplemented and easily adapted to local culture, environment, and laws. To view the GSTC Criteria in full, visit the GSTC website.

One of the most important parts of our mission is to educate people on what it means to be a responsible traveler. We hope this sheds some light on the more technical aspects of sustainable tourism. Please feel free to comment and share your thoughts and questions!

This entry was posted on August 7, 2012 at 2:38 PM and has received 1309 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.