Costa Rica and UN Tourism: Sustainability with a Vision for the Future
With innovative projects and strategic alliances, the country positions tourism as a driver of change towards responsible practices
Costa Rica has consolidated its international leadership in sustainable tourism through an agenda that combines national policies, business certifications, and global commitments. Most of the mechanisms that address conservation and sustainable development goals are directly linked to the tourism sector, including the National Decarbonization Plan, the National Circular Economy Strategy, and the Law to Combat Plastic Pollution.
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) promotes these policies through specific programs for businesses. The Sustainable Tourism Certificate (CST) offers guidelines and training to reduce waste, mitigate the carbon footprint, and adapt business models to responsible practices. Recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the CST already has more than 196 certifications issued, 136 in force and 23 in progress.
Among the most innovative initiatives is Tu-MoDeLo, a public-private program that connects the local purchase of sustainable agricultural products with the tourism industry, generating employment, encouraging women's participation, and strengthening rural communities.
At the international level, Costa Rica has signed key commitments within the UN Tourism One Planet program, focused on the circular economy, climate action, and food value chains. Through the Global Tourism and Plastics Initiative, the country promotes the elimination of problematic items, innovation in reusable packaging, and training programs for tourism businesses.
Likewise, the commitment to the Glasgow Declaration reinforces the goal of accelerating climate action in tourism. Among the commitments made, the ICT encourages companies to measure and offset their carbon footprint, promotes the use of the Carbon Offset Calculator, and provides data on progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
For industry professionals, these actions provide a clear framework: sustainability not only strengthens a destination's image, but also opens up business opportunities, diversification, and access to increasingly demanding markets with responsible practices.