Certifications of Sustainable Tourism: Cases of Costa Rica and Spain

Abstract

The objective is focused in the most important Sustainable Certifications in Costa Rica and Spain, since it is important to know how these two countries work about this topic and show a balance between each certification. The item is conducted based on fieldwork and research, as well as interviews with experts in the subject. An special emphasis of the Sustainable Tourism model in Costa Rica is describe, as well as the operating system of each country, in order to understand the composition of the protected areas, both in Costa Rica and Spain. The Certifications I investigate in Costa Rica are: Certification for Sustainable Tourism and Ecological Blue Flag Program; regarding Spain, the “Q” Quality Tourism and Blue Flag, as well as the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism. It was concluded in the balance-conclusion that both countries have similarities regarding the Blue Flag Program, likewise have a similar certification such as the Certification for Sustainable Tourism in the case of Costa Rica and “Q “Quality Tourism for Spain. It also displays information from the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, which is a strength that should be included in the certification system in Costa Rica, since this will be a plus for the organization of this country regarding this topic.