Sustainable tourism has been defined by the World Tourism Organization as:
“Satisfying the present needs of tourists and of host communities in a way that protects and improves future opportunities. It is used as a guide in the management of all resources so that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be satisfied, while at the same time maintaining the cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, biological diversity and life support systems.”
Our policies for sustainability:
Ecological travel is a way of travelling that is environmentally responsible and that consists in travelling to and visiting natural attractions for enjoyment without causing disturbance.
Osa Verde y Mar incorporates “good practices”, corrective measures and improvements into their management of the ocean reserves and tropical rainforests, that are without a doubt the principle storehouses of the planet’s biodiversity. The purpose of their actions is to make as little environmental impact as possible, particularly in areas of rich biodiversity with fragile ecosystems and vulnerable communities, while at the same time improving the quality of tourism, as well as the images presented to tourists.
Osa Verde y Mar applies the following strict regulations to its diverse adventure activities:
- All sea activities, including whale and dolphin sighting tours, adhere to the regulations set by Operations of Activities Related to Cetaceans in Costa Rica.
- All land activities, such as hiking and mountain biking, adhere to the regulations set by Operations of Tourist Adventure Activities.
Osa Verde y Mar:
- Acquires, whenever it is possible, biodegradable and returnable products. When impossible to do so, we take our waste and dispose of it in designated waste disposal sites, so as to minimize waste on our grounds.
- Aims to reduce the negative effect that visitors have on wildlife areas by: avoiding impact on flora and fauna; respecting the fragility of the ecosystem; supporting conservation and development initiatives; and monitoring the maximum number of visitors that can enter the site without causing disturbance to other visitors.
- Avoids situations that may place visitors at risk.
- Is committed to excellence in customer service.
- Maintains communication with visitors so that they are aware of all activities in regards to the minimization of environmental impact.
- Designs programs, according to visitor expectations, that adhere to our environmental policies.
- Obtains information, via visitor questionnaires, that allows us to offer a high quality of service.
- Contributes to the economy and development of several local communities in the following ways: making use of local accommodations, restaurants, taxis and contracting local personnel as guides for different land tours and marine mammal observation tours.
- Makes sure that visitor groups are varied and contain up to 15 people. If this maximum is exceeded, more guides are employed so that all visitors receive information.
- Commits to fulfilling principals of honesty, social values, transparency, dedication and responsibility.
- Has, from an environmentally conscious and responsible point of view, the objective of minimizing negative environmental impact. It is for this reason that we minimize the concentration of visitors, while at the same time contributing to improving social and environmental conditions in the area.
- Integrates into its work performance the highest of human values emphasizing humility, consideration, loyalty, professionalism and solidarity.
- Will always fulfill all regulations that govern the way our business functions.
Rainforest Alliance
Osa Verde y Mar, in its interest in implementing good environmental practices in sustainable tourism, has signed a document of agreement with Rainforest Alliance Inc. S.A., which is a non-profit international conservation organization. This document was signed because we mutually share objectives for the promotion of socially and environmentally responsible tourist practices.
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