From now on, national tourism companies that have the Tourism Sustainability Certificate (CST) will automatically receive the recognition of a regional seal of Central American scope, thanks to the union of the Central American Integrated Quality and Sustainability System (SICCS) scheme. with the process developed in the CST.
The ICT supported the development process of the SICCS Seal, which has been based on the experience and the scheme of the CST Standard, allowing Costa Rica to continue collaborating with the region in order to strengthen the quality and competitiveness of the services. tourism, in line with the sustainable tourism that characterizes us.
“At the ICT we continue working to consolidate our tourism development model through actions that allow companies and tourists to continue carrying out responsible tourism, which coexists with sustainable practices, in line with caring for the environment and benefiting communities,” he mentioned. Mariana Garita, certification coordinator, ICT.
Every tourist who visits a tourist establishment or uses any of its services and has this seal will find the commitment and quality of a CST company focused on operating in a sustainable and responsible manner, committed to positively impacting the community and the natural environment. carrying out constant actions to minimize the negative impacts of its operation, as well as informed and trained personnel, a place where sustainable guidelines and practices are implemented in the operation, involving all operational levels of the company, rescuing and promoting Costa Rican culture.
This approval was certified by the Tourism Facilitation and Infrastructure Management of the Honduran Tourism Institute (IHT) in its capacity as Central SICCS, following a request from the Central American Tourism Integration Secretariat (SITCA), whose objective is to ensure that Central America has an offer sustainable, competitive and high-quality tourism, through the implementation of good practices and quality and tourism sustainability systems.
Since 2006, with the support of the Spanish Cooperation Agency, through the Spanish SICA Fund and through the leadership of SITCA, the Tourism Service Quality Program (PROCAPCA) was launched, which worked very well, allowing in 2010 the design of a “Regional Tourism Quality and Sustainability” Model endorsed by the Quality area of the National Tourism Administrations and FEDECATUR (Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America).
The CST is available for more categories of companies in Costa Rica such as hot springs and spas, institutions, protected areas and institutions; However, for the moment SICCS maintains the categories of accommodation, tour operation, gastronomy, thematic activities, transportation and car rental for comparison. It thus constitutes the first regional tourism quality seal, conceived and created to suit micro, small and medium-sized tourism businesses in Central America, generating a valuable opportunity for countries that did not yet have a certification scheme in this area. of sustainability, greater recognition for those who already have it.
Among the advantages of the program are that it is accessible, flexible, designed for MSMEs, providing added and differentiating value to companies. In addition, it provides useful guidance to tourism businesses to plan, execute and control the management and provision of tourism services and guides them towards achieving quality standards that are valued by tourists, improving the image of the company and the community. It will be verified in three areas: operational, relationship with the environment and social responsibility.
Those interested in being part of the program and having the SICCS seal must apply to the CST, achieve certification, and accept terms and conditions for joining the Central American Tourism Quality Seal. CST companies with basic level will be equipped with the blue SICCS Seal and the elite level with the green SICCS Seal.
The Tourism Sustainability Certificate is valid for 2 years, after being endorsed by the Technical Verification Commission. The company or organization has three months or 90 calendar days to include evidence in the CST Platform and make the Audit request. The CST has other international recognitions such as the status of Recognized Standard by the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council). Now, CST companies will obtain the SICCS Seal at the regional level as a new benefit, in addition to facilitating the obtaining of Country Brand licensing, exemption according to level in international and national fairs, technical and logistical support in participation in fairs, mobilization of travel press with priority to CST companies, among others.