The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) launched a new digital platform for the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) Program, with the aim of facilitating access to sustainability-related information and supporting companies throughout the certification process. This updated tool is part of the institution’s efforts to strengthen Costa Rica’s sustainable tourism model.
The new platform is designed as an informative, accessible, and user-friendly space where interested parties can learn about the scope of the program, its requirements, application procedures, and the benefits associated with certification.
A website to strengthen sustainable tourism
The ICT renewed the official website of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism, available through the Sustainable Tourism Program’s digital channels. The platform provides detailed information about the CST Standard, its relevance, background, partnerships, and the process required to obtain certification at its different levels.
According to institutional information, the website serves as a support tool for tourism companies seeking to incorporate responsible practices into their operations, with the goal of strengthening their competitiveness at both national and international levels. The new space also includes educational resources, information on strategic partnerships, and an overview of the benefits of certification.
Scope and purpose of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism
The Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) is an institutional program developed by the ICT to translate the concept of sustainable tourism into concrete practices within Costa Rica’s tourism industry. The certification measures the level of sustainability of tourism companies and organizations by evaluating aspects such as business management, socio-economic impact, cultural contribution, and environmental performance.
This certification formally recognizes entities that implement sustainable practices in their operations and aligns with international criteria for responsible tourism, contributing to Costa Rica’s positioning as a destination committed to sustainability in its various dimensions.
Importance for tourism companies
The new website makes it easier for interested companies to understand the steps required to apply for CST certification, from initial registration to the evaluation of the criteria established in the standard. The program offers two certification levels — basic and elite — which reflect the degree of compliance with sustainability criteria.
Having a dedicated digital platform allows more organizations to visualize the opportunities and requirements of the process, encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices that benefit the private sector, local communities, and the natural environment in which tourism activities take place.
Sustainability as a competitive value in tourism
The website update is part of a broader set of initiatives promoted by the ICT to strengthen sustainability within Costa Rica’s tourism industry. The CST certification has been used as a tool to encourage better practices among tourism businesses, promoting responsible resource use, community involvement, and improved operational efficiency.
Through initiatives like this, Costa Rica aims to consolidate its international reputation as a destination with high standards of sustainable tourism, making it easier for companies, organizations, and communities to integrate sustainability as a core element of their tourism offerings.
Sources consulted
- Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) – Information regarding the launch of the renewed digital platform for the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) Program.
- Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) – Institutional information about the program and its sustainability standards.
