Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality

Sustainability Café on March 9th to look at “Twigs, Pigs and Garbage”

2010-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Contributed by Marian Brown on 03/03/10

The Sustainability Café on Tuesday, March 9th will feature Hans Pfister, president and co-owner of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, speaking on integrating sustainability into the hospitality industry. The Café will be held in Friends Room 309 from 12:10 – 1:00PM. The unique name of this Sustainability Café is taken from the "Pigs, Twigs and Garbage Tour" at Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Costa Rica, where guests learn how they can incorporate elements of sustainability into their personal lives.

Hans Pfister, a committed conservation tourism professional, heads Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, a company dedicated to the management and development of hotels, lodges and other tourism-related projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that have an ecological, conservationist or sustainable aspect to them. Currently, Cayuga manages six hotels in different regions of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, offering direct employment to more than 300 locals.

This event is free and open to the public.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Marian Brown at 607-274-3787 or mbrown@ithaca.edu. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

“Teachable edibles” – local, organic and/or seasonal snacks – for the Spring 2010 Sustainability Café series are being sponsored by Ithaca College Dining Services whose motto is “Sustainability – Healthy – Fresh.” Please bring your reusable mug and fill up at the nearest drinking fountain or provide your own beverage of choice.

Drink in a new way to think in the Sustainability Café.

Sustainability Entrepreneur Hans Pfister to Speak at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration

2010-03-02T15:59:00.000-08:00


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Ithaca, NY, March 2, 2010 – Hans Pfister is putting his own shade of green on the hotel and resort landscape across Central America. Pfister will talk about his professional journey next Tuesday, March 9, as the featured speaker in the Conversations with Entrepreneurs series presented by the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell University. He will present from 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. in 198 Statler Hall and will dine with selected students after the event. The following day Pfister will meet with students, staff, and faculty.

As founder and president of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality (www.cayugaonline.com), Pfister oversees the management and development of world-renowned projects such as Lapa Rios on the Osa Peninsula, Morgan's Rock in Nicaragua, and Costa Rica properties The Harmony Hotel, Arenas del Mar Beach & Nature Resort, and the Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation Inn. Cayuga offers operational expertise to hotel owners and developers looking to enhance their performance in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Born and raised in Germany, Pfister earned his degree from Cornell's School of Hotel Administration. During his undergraduate years, he spent summers working in hotels, first in Germany and later in the U.S. and Hong Kong. After graduation, Pfister managed properties in Costa Rica and Germany before launching Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality in 2003.

In addition to German, Pfister is fluent in English and Spanish and is also able to communicate in French. He speaks often at sustainability-related conferences and at academic institutions such as the Harvard Business School and Cornell's School of Hotel Administration.

The Conversations with Entrepreneurs series is sponsored by Hotelie Entrepreneurs, Cornell Hospitality Advisors, and eClips.

Unique Wellness Destinations

2010-02-24T14:08:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for guidance to plan a wellness vacation in Costa Rica or Nicaragua, we recommend you visit our website Unique Wellness Destinations. After successfully launching a website to assist in the planning of sustainable honeymoons, this website will help potential travelers to understand the concept of wellness in a broader way and make the right travel and lodging decisions. We especially recommend to consider the newly opened Jicaro Island Ecolodge in Nicaragua for a wellness vacation. If you need help organizing a Wellness Vacation, feel free to contact us at travel@cayugaonline.com or here.

Nature Family Vacations

2010-02-24T13:52:00.000-08:00


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Cayuga recently launched a website that is targeted at families looking for an active outdoor vacation in Costa Rica: Nature Family Vacations. Besides useful information about traveling as a family to Costa Rica and recommending destinations and experiences, the site built in a quiz about Costa Rica facts and could be great fun for children to review before coming to Costa Rica. If you need help organizing a Costa Rica Family Vacation, feel free to contact us at travel@cayugaonline.com or here.

Monthly Meeting and Lunch

2010-02-06T20:28:00.000-08:00


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Last week we had our monthly Cayuga Corporate Meeting and, as it is a little hard to get together for all our team since we are usually at the hotels, we had lunch and celebrated Silvia's birthday.

Happy Birthday Silvia!

The Pottery Workshops

2010-01-27T14:37:00.000-08:00

During her most recent visit to the newly opened Jicaro Island Ecolodge on the Isletas de Granada in Lake Nicaragua, Silvia Vargas had the chance to visit the pottery workshops in San Juan del Oriente. Guests of Jicaro Island Ecolodge have the chance to take this tour and get a hands on experience working with the local artesans. Join us!

Welcome Irene!

2010-01-12T07:36:00.000-08:00


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Harmony Hotel has a new manager! After two years of successfully managing the Harmony Hotel in Nosara and five years in total with Cayuga, Andrea Miranda decided for a career change and we are happy to introduce Irene Morales as the new manager of the hotel. Irene is into sustainability, yoga, surfing and nature and also a vegetarian. In other words, the perfect fit for Harmony. In the few weeks that she has been at the hotel, she has done a great job motivating the staff and ensuring ongoing guest satisfaction. Welcome Irene!

Planning on visiting Granada?

2010-01-11T16:22:00.000-08:00


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Why not stay on a secluded island getaway a short 20 minute boat ride from the colonial town of Granada. Jicaro Island Ecolodge is located on an isleta in Lake Nicaragua boasting nine private casitas that serve as the setting for a romantic escape filled with peace, tranquility and relaxation. Morning yoga on floating decks and birding are two favorite activities. There is also easy access to a wide variety of activities off the island ranging from kayaking and hiking to zip-lining on volcanoes, bathing in hot springs and exploring colonial treasures. The culinary experience is focused on local ingredients prepared in a creative and healthy way in an open kitchen concept.

www.jicarolodge.com, info@jicarolodge.com, Tel. (505) 2552-6353

2009-12-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

Starting in October 2009 and ending in March 2010, the Hotel School together with the Johnson Business School at Cornell University in Ithaca New York is offering a course on sustainability in the hospitality industry. One of the company’s featured as a case study is Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, based in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students from Cornell will come to Costa Rica to do on the ground research at the hotels, lodges and resorts in January and in March, there will be final presentations at the Cornell Hotel School to the owners of Cayuga. This is a great way to bring more information on sustainability to the Cornell Hotel School and to make sure it maintains its hospitality leadership in the years to come.

Our first guest at Jicaro Island Ecolodge

2009-12-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

In late December, Cayuga has successfully opened Jicaro Island Ecolodge. The 9 room ecolodge is located on Jicaro Island, one of the Granada Isletas in Lake Nicaragua with stunning views of the Mombacho volcano.

On December 22^nd, we had our first guest at the hotel. Kathryn Maier stayed for one night and enjoyed a Sunset Kayaking with Fabian, our onsite guide.

This is the second opening of an Ecolodge for Cayuga in Nicaragua after Morgan’s Rock near San Juan del Sur in 2004. Cayuga operated Morgan’s Rock from 2004 to 2006 and after almost three years of absence in Nicaragua is happy to be back operating in this beautiful country.


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2009-12-07T06:53:00.000-08:00


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Last week, Marijke (Assistant Manager) and Arnay (Administrative Manager) recognized Antonio Zuniga for 10 years of working with Lapa Rios. He received a watch as a sign of gratitude from the owners John and Karen Lewis for his years of service in the cleaning department, kitchen and as guard. We hope he will stay many more years with us as he is an exemplary employee with a great attitude always willing to help out. Thanks Tonio!!

New Jicaro Island Ecolodge will Help Showcase the Amazing and Sustainable Experiences Awaiting Tourists to Nicaragua

2009-11-22T09:59:00.000-08:00

Jicaro Island Ecolodge will not only open its doors January 1st, 2010, it will also open up a wealth of new experiences for tourists to Nicaragua looking for a soft adventure and wellness retreat, built around the principles of sustainable tourism.

An experience at Jicaro Island Lodge includes transfers to and from Granada’s Asese Port, all meals prepared in the open kitchen using local, fresh ingredients, and accommodation in one of the nine, beautifully designed and private two storey casitas. Rates start at US$380.00, based on double occupancy, and until January 31, 2010, people who book three nights only pay for two, a savings of over 30 per cent.

Managed by the team at Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, (the company also behind the management of award winning eco-luxury resorts like Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn, Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort, Harmony Hotel and Latitude 10 Resort in Costa Rica), Jicaro Island Ecolodge is set on a private island just a short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada, Nicaragua’s top tourist town. Along with the nine casitas, Jicaro Island Ecolodge includes an open kitchen and restaurant, large patios, pool and lounge area, and large yoga decks, all offering spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across Lake Nicaragua.

A signature tour of the ecolodge includes a short boat ride across the lake to the foot of the Mombacho Volcano where guests can hike up to hidden hot springs, the Mombacho cloud forests and be immersed in the areas abundant wildlife. Other ecolodge activities include yoga, extensive wellness treatments, kayaking and swimming. Day and half day tours to explore the nearby attractions such as Canopy Tours (zip-lining), Horseback Riding, Colonial Granada City, Masaya Artisan Market and the Masaya Volcano, boat tours to Ometepe or Zapatera Island, are also available.

Travel to Jicaro Island Ecolodge is straightforward as it is strategically located so close to Nicaragua’s most important tourism destination Granada and just north of the Costa Rican boarder. Guests may choose an international flight into Nicaragua’s capital Managua, Costa Rica’s capital San Jose or the northern Costa Rican city of Liberia.

Cayuga Retreat 2009

2009-11-17T09:19:00.000-08:00

The entire management team of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality was on “retreat” in the Santa Teresa area in November, where Latitude 10 Resort, the newest addition to the company’s hotel portfolio is located. The team stayed at Latitude 10 and went on horseback riding excursions where they were led by Nat Grew Sr. and Jr. on an unforgettable adventure.

Lunch was served by local women in a little town’s bar featuring freshly grilled lamb, organic corn, yucca and homemade tortillas. After a work session of reviewing Cayuga’s updated vision and mission (see below) and discussion on the implantation of the Experience, Learn, Connect and Relax theme at the hotels, dinner was served by chef Sebastien.

A yoga class and breakfast at nearby Flor Blanca Resort put closure on the event and all managers went back to their assignments making sure we are ready for the upcoming high season. Most likely, next year’s retreat will be in Nicaragua at Jicaro Island Ecolodge.

Our Vision

We will be recognized as the worldwide leader in sustainable hospitality management of small upscale lodges and resorts, consistently exceeding the expectations of our hotel owners, guests and employees.

Our Mission

Cayuga redefines the standards of upscale hospitality, creating a symbiosis of luxury and sustainability that is lived by our guests and employees alike through the concept of Experience, Learn, Connect and Relax. The focus of our culture is personified by its highly motivated and skilled employees that are inspired to create legendary and authentic service experiences.

Unique Honeymoon Destinations in Costa Rica

2009-11-08T12:26:00.000-08:00

Cayuga has developed a webpage that assists couples to plan a honeymoon that is out of the ordinary.

Unique Honeymoon Destinations offers information about hotels, resorts and lodges that offer more than just drinks at the pool. The experience at those hotels invite the honeymoon couple to participate in activities such as hiking, yoga, surfing and sports but also allows them to relax at beautiful beaches and in hammocks under palm trees. Guests also have the opportunity to participate in the conservation of the natural beauty of the area they are staying at and contribute to the positive social and economic development of the host communities.

Visita Unique Honeymoon Destinations at: www.uniquehoneymoondestinations.com.

2009-10-31T13:38:00.000-07:00

The last week of October, San Jose hosted the first International Sustainability Conference (Planet, People, Place) that was analyzing the Costa Rican Tourism Model. It was a great success and Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality was present at the event with a booth promoting its sustainable hotels and ecolodges as well as introducing Equilibrium, the Cayuga Hotels Foundation. The picture show Karen Lewis, owner of Lapa Rios, Jorge Arrieta, Operations Director for Cayuga and Michelle Libby, Project Director for Equilibrium.

EquiLibrium: Earth and Life in Balance

2009-10-24T17:47:00.000-07:00

EquiLibrium is an upcoming non profit organization that will operate in Costa Rica. It believes that a good life is one where people and nature are in balance and not at the expense of each other.

Equilibrium originates from the interest of the Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality Management Company and its affiliate hotels and ecolodges to actively support environmentally and socially responsible activities in their surrounding communities. This group is keenly interested in improving the lives of people while at the same time safe guarding the surrounding natural resources.

Furthermore, Cayuga and its affiliate hotels recognize the supportive role travel philanthropy can provide for a destination’s community development and environmental conservation projects; and with the creation of EquiLibrium they can provide travelers with an organized and well monitored opportunity for investing in acommunities’ projects. Equilibrium will support projects in the geographies of the hotels; these include, Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula, Central Pacific, Central Valley, and the Osa Peninsula. Travelers, and any others interested, will have the opportunity to help a diverse range of geographies and environmental and development projects. We are in the process of designing the portfolios of activities that Equilibrium will support in each geography.

Equilibrium will obtain its 501c3 status and will operate as a tax exempt organization. United States financial contributions to EquiLibrium will be charitable donations and as such can be deducted from taxes.

EquiLibrium’s mission is to propel a more harmonious way of living within the natural environment, by supporting projects that encourage community development be sustainable, improve management of natural resources, further environmental education, and advance biodiversity conservation.

Equilibrium objectives are to:

Facilitate community development congruent with safeguarding the natural environment.
Raise awareness to land stewardship ethics and provide basic skills for a more harmonious way of living within the natural environment.
Promote sustainable practices that protect natural resources.
Increase awareness to the natural environment and nature conservation benefits, particularly regarding unique biodiversity.
Promote efforts to reduce carbon emissions, as a personal, community and corporate responsibility.

We hope that you will visit Costa Rica and have an opportunity to better understand EquiLibrium’s community development and environmental conservation work. As we consolidate our efforts this page will have interesting information on our projects, and will provide you with an opportunity to get involved and help out with a mission that we all need to learn: living more in balance with the earth.

Experience - Learn - Connect & Relax

2009-10-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

In early 2009, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality added the slogan “Experience, Learn, Connect and Relax” in its logo. But more than a slogan, this is becoming Cayuga’s differentiating strategy for 2010. We want our guests to have incredible experiences such as waking up to howler monkeys shouting in the rainforest canopy above your bungalow or room or swimming next to dolphins in the Pacific Ocean. But we will take this even further and invite our guests to learn from us and connect with the local employees and community. Learn how to make tortillas, how to dance Salsa, how to surf, how to weave a thatched palm roof. Connect by playing soccer with the locals on the beach, visit a local school that is sponsored by the hotel you are staying in or simply have a chat about how life is in Costa Rica with your guide or a waiter in the restaurant. And, of course, we don’t want to forget the relaxing part. After all, this is a vacation. Plenty of hammocks and beach chairs everywhere.

If you want to find out more about this experience at the Cayuga Hotels, send me an e-mail. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Cayuga will open an Ecologe in Nicaragua in late 2009

2009-10-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Karen Emanuel has been running a successful company in London for the past 19 years. Whilst on holiday in Nicaragua in January of 2007, she walked into a restaurant and saw a notice proclaiming "Island for Sale". This rather interested her- partly as a fantasy, partly as she had recognized that Nicaragua was a developing Central American country with a lot to offer. A short boat ride later with the owners, followed by a relaxing week at an astounding eco lodge on the Nicaraguan coast, an idea had started developing in her head.

After arriving back home to the bleak London winter, she got out the back of an envelope and scribbled down a few figures. Within a few weeks she had wired a deposit for the Island over to the owners.

Two years later, with the help of architect Matthew Falkiner and team from Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality the dream has become a reality and the resort is about to open in early 2010. Jicaro Island Ecolodge - a secluded island getaway. Has it been easy? Of course not, but it was the right thing to do.

Read more about Jicaro Island Ecolodge here.

Cayuga at the Latin America Travel Mart in Chile

2009-09-27T09:16:00.001-07:00

In September, Cayuga takes part in the Latin American Travel Mart that is held in different locations in South and Central America each year.We consider this the only Trade show worth attending other than Expoturin Costa Rica. This year the event was held in Frutillar (south of Chile). Maria Jose Castro represents Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality and has been meeting with companies such as Cox & Kings, Pagona Travel, and more. Listening to the wholesalers attending Travel Mart Latin America, we expect next year to be a good year for tourism although, we will not get back to pre crisis levels of 2008. The Latin AmericanTravel Mart 2010 will be held in Peru.

Cayuga's strategic communications and media relations are now managed by Tartan Group

2009-09-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality is pleased to announce that the Tartan Group now handles all of its strategic communications and media relations. Founded in 2001, The Tartan Group has built a reputation as a leading PR firm specializing in travel and tourism, real estate and resort development. From this well defined niche in the tourism and real estate industry, their client list has grown to include some of the top destinations and developments in North America. With offices in Vancouver and Victoria, BC, CANADA, The Tartan Group was founded on a commitment to represent organizations that share its values for leading positive change and building healthier communities. Whether it’s through cutting edge renewable energy projects or starting a new path towards greater sustainable development and operations, their clients rank their success on how they do against social (people), environmental (planet),economic (profit) and cultural (place) commitments. Through Tartan's newtwork of international media relationships, Cayuga will be able to get even more exposure and profile for its collection of leading sustainable resorts and vacation experiences.

Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality Adds Spectacular & Intimate Beach Resort to Its Central America Portfolio

2009-09-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

San Jose, Costa Rica, September 1, 2009 – Enhancing its portfolio of award winning and internationally recognized sustainable resorts, Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality has taken on the management of Latitude 10 Resort, in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica.

Set on seven acres of private beach front property, Latitude 10 Beach Resort offers guests a very personalized and intimate experience, and was originally built to be a private second home. With room rates that range from US$195.00 - US$295.00 in the Green Season (June – October) and US$245.00 -US$395.00 in High Season , the resort consists of five spacious free standing, individually decorated and private casitas. Each casita has its own décor, private open air bathrooms and rainforest showers. The heart of the resort is the Clubhouse, an open-air ranchito which overlooks the infinity pool and over 100 meters of private white sand beach. This is where guests can relax, enjoy breakfast, cocktails and light meals, and have their private chef create meals if they book the whole resort. An open air studio offers personalized yoga, massage and spa services.

“Latitude 10 is the perfect complement to our portfolio because the owners already have a commitment to sustainability and the level of service and hospitality experience is on par with all of our properties”, says Cayuga’s President , Hans Pfister. “Our goal is to raise awareness of the amazing experience Latitude 10 offers while helping it to reach even higher sustainability goals in its operations.”

As part of its commitment to the quadruple bottom line of people, planet, profit an place, Latitude 10 hires almost exclusively from the local community and encourages guests to explore Santa Teresa, set on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. It provides bicycles to guests so they can discover the surrounding area that offers an abundance of local culture, restaurants and a reputation for ecological consciousness that has awarded the community a "blue flag” since 2001.

Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality develops and manages hotels, lodges and other tourism related projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that are committed to the four “P”s of sustainability - people, planet, profit and place. It offers solutions and expertise to tourism operators looking to enhance their performance in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. As well, Cayuga will provide expert responsible travel advice including full itinerary suggestions for families, adventurers and honeymooners. Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality also manages Lapa Rios Rainforest Ecolodge, Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn as well as Harmony Hotel, all based in Costa Rica.

Interesting news on green travel from Trip Advisor

2009-04-27T09:05:00.000-07:00

Survey Finds Travelers Mostly Skeptical of Hotels’ Green Programs
By Glenn Hasek
04/24/2009

TripAdvisor just released the results of its recent environmentally-friendly travel survey of more than 1,200 U.S. respondents. For anyone running and marketing a green establishment, the survey includes some results worth noting, including this alarming finding: Seventy-two percent of travelers think hotels are more interested in marketing themselves as environmentally-friendly than actually being green (72 percent!), while just 10 percent think hotels are genuinely interested in being environmentally-friendly. Yikes!

What has our industry done to create such skepticism? Has greenwashing—defined as deceptive marketing—been that prevalent in our industry? What is at the root of this mistrust? Is it the towel and linen reuse programs that properties often promote but do not always carry out? Are people just skeptical by nature? What do you think?
Sometimes surveys will draw conclusions based on a sample size that is statistically insignificant but TripAdvisor’s survey included a reasonable sample number. Let’s assume that most of you are not doing a good enough job convincing your customers that your green efforts are sincere. What can you do differently? You certainly should not “shout” about your initiatives. Be subtle with your messaging. Back up what you “talk about” with facts. Thanks to the Internet, every guest who stays at your property has the potential to instantly convey their disappointment to their friends and countless others.

Focus on Internal Matters First
Do all of these things and more before even thinking about bragging about your property’s green efforts:
1. Concentrate on the value going green brings to your bottom line.
2. Set goals and focus on continuous improvement.
3. Create a mission statement and form a green team.
4. Implement the products, technologies and processes that will result in measurable impact.
5. Establish a culture of leadership and empowerment.
6. When you are ready to create your message, work with a marketing expert who understands the behavior of today’s consumers.

More TripAdvisor Survey Results

Are travelers willing to spend more to travel green? According to TripAdvisor, 45 percent of travelers won’t go green if it means spending more green. I am sure the current recession did not help that number. The good news is that twenty-seven percent of respondents said they are willing to spend $50 or more to be environmentally-friendly when traveling.

Thirty-three percent of travelers said they would pay more for a hotel with an environmental certification. For those of you who run establishments that have been certified green by a third party, have you thought of charging more simply because your property is green certified? You probably have not but you may want to think about how you could do that. Think about the different packages you could put together. Are there local businesses (restaurants, parks, zoos, museums, gardens, etc.) that would be willing to partner with you?

Seventeen percent of travelers reported staying at a hotel that didn’t live up to its eco-friendly promises. No surprise here.

The survey found that seventy-six percent of travelers sometimes incorporate green choices in their travel plans and 27 percent of respondents intentionally made environmentally-friendly travel choices in the past year. Fifty-two percent regularly find it challenging to incorporate green choices into their travel plans and 44 percent of travelers find that environmentally-friendly options are not readily available when traveling. This last finding amazes me, given the prevalence of available online green travel and lodging websites.
Most Participate in Linen/Towel Programs

In the past 12 months, 77 percent of respondents participated in a hotel’s linen/towel reuse program, 45 percent walked, biked, or took public transportation as much as possible during a trip to be greener, and 17 percent took their eco-friendly actions to the skies and paid more for a direct flight to reduce carbon emissions. Twelve percent of travelers have stayed at a hotel specifically because of its green policies. Thirty-seven percent believe that hotels with eco-friendly policies are making a difference.

The top five most important green hotel practices, according to survey respondents: recycling program, 74 percent; linen/towel reuse option, 73 percent; energy-efficient light bulbs, 71 percent; environmentally-friendly cleaning products, 60 percent; and low-flow toilets/showerheads, 59 percent.

Twenty percent of respondents said they don’t worry about eco-friendly options when traveling because they believe vacation is a time to indulge. Fifty-eight percent of travelers admit to being more eco-conscious at home, compared to when traveling. Of the environmentally-unfriendly actions committed during their travels, 41 percent of travelers own up to leaving on the heat or air-conditioning when not in their hotel room, 37 percent indulged in long showers, and 24 percent confessed to not recycling and/or reusing plastic bottles and cans.

Growing our own lettuce!

2009-04-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

We´re growing our own lettuce at Lapa Rios Ecolodge: http://blog.laparios.com/

5 leaves at the Harmony Hotel

2009-03-31T09:21:00.000-07:00

We have just been informed that the Harmony Hotel in Nosara (www.harmonynosara.com) is the first hotel in Costa Rica to have received a rating of five leaves from the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST) on its first evaluation.

The CST is a complete, and rigorous, certification system, which is the only certification endorsed by the Costa Rican government, awards hotels “leaves” on a scale of one to five based on their sustainability achievements (much like the Mobile star rating which evaluate hotel services). The CST bases its judgements on four factors:

1. Biological-physical: How does a property impact and/or protect its surrounding environment?

2. Services and Infrastructure: How does the property’s operations (including product use and disposal, water and energy management, etc.) affect the environment?

3. Social-Economic environment: What impact does the property have on nearby communities to promote/provide education to its staff and community and to work with community service providers.

4. External client: How does the property promote and teach responsible tourism with guests who visit?

Currently, the CST is not mandatory for all properties in Costa Rica. For this reason, it is imperative that the consumer take an active role in looking for properties that are indeed participating in the certification process. By supporting organizations that are CST certified, you not only know where your money is being spent, but are showing your support for fair, honest and, above all, truly sustainable business practices. When you travel in Costa Rica, inquire about CST certification, ask questions and demand answers. Your travel decisions, and your “colones”, can truly make a difference.

To learn more about Costa Rica´s Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), visit: www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr for more information.

The Harmony Hotel Works to Green Its Restaurant...

2009-03-29T15:35:00.001-07:00

In an effort to push our sustainability program to the next level, we at the Harmony Hotel have decided to focus on “greening” our restaurant. According to the Green Restaurant Organization (www.dinegreen.com), which certifies restaurants for their efforts to incorporate sustainability into their operations, a sustainable restaurant should work to:

o Implement energy efficiency and conservation practices;
o Reduce water usage;
o Participate actively in recycling programs and work diligently to reduce food waste which can be composted to create rich soil;
o Eliminate all toxic and environmentally hazardous chemicals from restaurant operations;
o Purchase organic and/or sustainably produced fruits, vegetables and meats;
o Incorporate “green” materials and design into its architecture and building.

One of our first steps towards building a sustainable restaurant at Harmony was the creation of an onsite huerta (garden), which produces a number of fruits, vegetables an herbs that we have recently begun to incorporate into our menu. We are now growing: yuca (a starchy tuber grown in the tropics), cilantro de cayote (cilantro), papaya, zacate de limón (lemon grass), tilo and hierba buena (herbs used by locals to make teas). According to our executive chef Marco Leiva, “these products not only help us to lower our environmental impact by reducing the carbon emissions caused by transport, but are also of superior quality and taste”.

Our pajillas (straws) are also made from one of the “greenest” materials on earth: bamboo. These bamboo sticks are grown locally by Don Tino, the head of our gardening staff, and have been dried and cured for use in our freshly squeezed fruit juices and cocktails. In fact, two other hotels in Costa Rica have also caught on to the bamboo straw trend and have begun to buy straws from Don Tino as well.

Future plans for our sustainable restaurant include training local farmers on organic agriculture techniques in order to source more local produce and meat and to incorporate more traditional Costa Rican dishes with local ingredients on the menu. For more information on sustainable dining developments, check out our website at: http://www.harmonynosara.com/en/features.html