XXV ACAV Congress Supports Carbon Neutral Program

The Costa Rican Travel Agency Association (ACAV) celebrated its 25th annual meeting by reinforcing their support and contribution to Costa Rica’s goal of being a Carbon Neutral country by the year 2011.

The theme of the meeting was “Sustainable Tourism, We Can All Contribute ” and took place at the Hotel Crown Plaza Corobici just outside of downtown San Jose.  Just as the association did 25 years ago, the event at the Crown Plaza Corobici gathered all major tourism industry leaders and celebrated Costa Rica’s nature, traditions, music and food.

ACAV’s president, Walter Valverde, stated that the industry understands that to carry out sustainable practices, a worldwide commitment is needed.  In his speech, Valverde sent a message not only to Costa Rica but to the world as he mentioned that it would make no sense to aim for a sustainable city or country but that it would make sense that each individual of the world could work for its city or country.

The association also announced the signing of an agreement with Costa Rica’s National Funds for Forest Financing (FONAFIFO) and the Costa Rican Bureau of Tourism (ICT) with the intention of converting each trip into funds for contributing to reforestation.

In 2005, the Costa Rican immigration department reported an approximate 800,000 outbound tourists of which 75% used air travel as their means of transportation.  By charging a small surcharge for carbon neutral purposes, this 75% of Costa Rican tourists could have contributed a considerable amount of money for reforestation and therefore cleaning of the air.

In addition, the tourism industry will tackle the challenge of encouraging ACAV’s members to donate funds for the cause.

Valverde also stated that sustainable tourism not only comprehends erasing the environmental mark humanity has left behind, but also encouraging corporate social responsibility and ethical practices that will jointly contribute to Costa Rica’s sustainability and valued tourist destination.