Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality

Over 200 participants from 15 different countries expected to attend the first conference of its kind in Latin America

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, October 27,2009 – The Nat ...ional Chamber of Ecotourism (CANAECO) and the Costa Rica Tourist Board will be welcoming sustainable tourism thought leaders and personalities who will... be gathered this week in San Jose, Costa Rica to initiate the First International Planet, People, Peace Conference taking place at the Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel, October 27 –29, 2009.

Many of the world’s most prominentleaders and promoters of sustainable tourism will be on hand to discuss the ways that tourism can continue to positively impact the planet and its people. Some of the conference presenters include Bruce Poon Tip, CEO, G.A.P. Adventures and Dorinda Elliott, Deputy Editor, Conde Nast Traveler, among others.

“Costa Rica is very proud to be able to welcome some of the world’s foremost thought leaders in sustainable tourism to the First International Planet, People, Peace Conference,” said Maria Amalia Revelo, Deputy Manager, Costa Rica Tourist Board. “We havehad an amazing turnout for this year’s event and we can only hope that, together, we can continue to encourage more people to take part in the ever-growing sustainable tourism movement,” she said.

Other notable presenters include Richard Bangsfrom “Adventures with Purpose,” and Rob Holmes, founder and President of Green Living Project, who will be there to talk about the role the media plays in helping to promote experiential and sustainable travel and to highlight some successful environmental and social projects in Latin America.

“Our goal was to bring together some of the top sustainable tourism thinkers to Costa Rica, to not only showcase what we have done as a country but to explore and celebrate best practices from around the world,” said Glenn Jampol, president of CANAECO. “I am confident that what we accomplish this week will establish a solid platform for Planet,People, Peace in 2011.”

Up to the minute coverage will be provided by Envirothink blogger, Debra Atlas, who will be there to blog about the event’s panel discussions and provide someone-on-one interviews with presenters. Video interviews with conference participants will also be available on the official Planet, People, Peacechannel on YouTube. Costa Rica has long been considered a pioneer in environmental conservation since the creation of its National Parks System in 1977. By declaring 26% of its land as protected territory, Costa Rica has been able to develop one of the most intense biodiverse places on Earth which, today, accounts for approximately fivepercent of the Earth’s flora and fauna.

In 1997, as a response to its booming tourism, the Costa Rica Tourist Board designed the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program to assure a healthy growth of its tourism offering without taking away from its main attraction, its environmental beauty. Today, the CST program is considered to be one of the strictest certification programs in the world and includes more than 130 operators and growing.Read More

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