THINK ECO-MO-NO

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM - SI COMO NO'S ECOVISION

Ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural places. A new global movement that's about conserving the environment and sustaining the well-being of the local people.

Complex problems combined with challenging cultural and social conditions make change a gradual process at best. While immediate action can delay or prevent some of the direct consequences of deforestation, the true cornerstones of change are education and consciousness-raising. Green Hotels of Costa Rica wants to make its contribution to reversing this destructive cycle. Not only do we wish to offer a great vacation experience, but also to make our hotels a model for the local community -- helping people in our own area understand how conservation can improve their lives without negatively effecting their economic needs.

Green Hotels of Costa Rica supports a 30-acre Wildlife Refuge at Si Como No, and the Private Biological Reserve next to Villablanca Cloud Forest Hotel. The Nature Refuge of Fincas Naturales features a multi-level Butterfly and Aquatic Tropical Gardens, Aquatic Amphibian Gardens, Nocturnal Walk, and both hotels include user-friendly nature trails interpreted by qualified naturalists on staff. The exhibits are considered some of the most unique in Costa Rica.

THE GREEN HOTEL CONCEPT

On January 1st, 2004, Si Como No's Green Hotels of Costa Rica began operations with the acquisition of Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Spa, near San Ramon in El Silencio de Los Angeles , and now the participation of Aguila de Osa Inn Marine Frontier at Drake Bay, near Corcovado National Park. Each property is operated in accordance with the highest eco-tourism standards, preserving the "Magic of Nature" for generations to come.

GREEN HOTELS MISSION

Green Hotels of Costa Rica are members of CST Program of Costa Rican Hotels. We encourage you to support their efforts and review our section entitled GREEN HOTELS STATEMENT for more information about how to comply with these important conservation standards. We welcome your feedback on conservation and policies that are included in our hotel guest's surveys and printed information which you will find in every hotel room, at each hotel's concierge desk and on our hotel websites. Let's all make a difference before it's too late.

The certification in sustainable tourism program CST is managed by Costa Rican Tourism Institute ICT. CST was design to differentiate tourism sector business based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management.

CST is regulated by the Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission and consists of a scale of 5 "leaves" of sustainable tourism achievement.

OUR CST GUARANTEE

Our CST guarantee of commitment ensures that the management and staff of both Si Como No and Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel Management are making a sincere effort to adhere to programs that sustain "the magic of nature".

OUR MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

Green Hotels management philosophy is based upon the logic that well-treated employees equate to well-treated hotel guests. The key to the "Green Hotel" brand is maintaining a harmonious workplace with consistent hotel training programs to create positive experiences for both our guests and employees alike.

With perhaps the lowest hotel employee turnover in the country, and years of guest surveys averaging 97% rating of "good" to "excellent", we believe we've created a successful brand of Good Natured Hospitality that empowers every member of our staff to provide a unique Costa Rican holiday for our guests without compromising the natural habitat they've come to enjoy. To the end, Green Hotels participates in many conservation programs and is a member of CST (certification of Sustainable Tourism).

The butterfly and aquatic tropical gardens, cloud forest nature exhibits researches laboratory with its full-time biologist, student dormitory and workshop are all integral parts of the Green Hotels infrastructure.