Sustainable tourism has long been recognized for promoting responsible travel practices that focus on minimizing negative impacts on the environment, culture, and local economies. However, while these efforts offer some benefits, they often fall short of making meaningful changes, sometimes serving as mere marketing ploys known as greenwashing. Regenerative tourism aims to elevate the concept of sustainable travel by actively enhancing the social, cultural, and environmental well-being of tourist destinations. This approach not only minimizes harm but seeks to create positive, lasting impacts on local communities and ecosystems. As Costa Rica grapples with challenges such as environmental degradation, socio-economic inequality, and cultural marginalization, regenerative tourism emerges as a crucial movement.
Shifting from Sustainable to Regenerative Tourism
Sustainable tourism emphasizes responsible travel practices such as reducing waste, conserving water, and supporting local businesses. While these initiatives have their merits and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), critics argue that they often fall short of delivering meaningful change. In some cases, sustainable tourism efforts are accused of greenwashing—superficial actions that serve as marketing strategies rather than genuine efforts to protect the environment and local communities.
Regenerative tourism, as described by experts including Dr. Brooke Hansen, surpasses the goals of sustainable travel by aiming to improve the health of tourist destinations. Unlike sustainable tourism, which seeks to minimize adverse impacts, regenerative tourism empowers local communities, restores ecosystems, and ensures that tourism activities benefit both the area and its inhabitants. This approach demands systemic change rather than mere operational adjustments and focuses on creating long-term positive impacts.
The Current State of Costa Rica’s Tourism Sector
Over recent years, Costa Rica has gained acclaim for its achievements in reversing deforestation, maintaining a 98% renewable energy rate primarily through hydropower, and supporting various eco-friendly initiatives. Despite these successes, the country’s rapid tourism growth has introduced challenges such as inequality and overdevelopment, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. Furthermore, the increasing presence of foreign investors in Costa Rica’s tourism sector exacerbates these issues and complicates efforts to achieve sustainable development.
A survey conducted by the National University of Costa Rica reveals significant local concerns regarding foreign control of beachfront properties and interior lands. Nearly 87% of respondents feel that foreign residents are acquiring substantial portions of beachfront property, often converting them into short-term rentals or luxury tourism ventures. More than two-thirds believe that land within the interior of the country is being seized in similar ways. Regenerative tourism aims to address these issues by ensuring local participation and leadership in tourism activities, thereby fostering a more equitable and sustainable tourism model.
Addressing Local Disenfranchisement
Local communities often feel disenfranchised in the current tourism model, as foreign investors control a large portion of the sector. Regenerative tourism seeks to empower residents by enabling them to play a central role in guiding tourism activities. This approach not only ensures that tourism benefits the local community but also helps preserve cultural heritage and promotes social equity.
One of the main challenges in promoting regenerative tourism is distinguishing genuine practices from greenwashing. Travelers often struggle to identify authentically eco-friendly initiatives due to vague claims and inconsistencies in certification programs. This confusion undermines efforts to encourage responsible travel and hinders the progress of regenerative tourism.
Certification and Standards in Regenerative Tourism
To address the challenge of identifying genuine regenerative practices, the Costa Rica Tourism Institute launched the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program in 1997. The CST program assesses and certifies tourism businesses based on various sustainability metrics. Businesses must meet mandatory standards to earn a “basic” certification, while those demonstrating exceptional dedication to sustainability receive an “elite” certification. This program helps travelers distinguish between superficial greenwashing efforts and authentic sustainable practices.
Hotel Belmar, located in Monteverde, stands out as a pioneer of regenerative tourism in Costa Rica and holds the highest level of CST certification. Founded in 1985 by Pedro Belmar and Vera Zeledón, the hotel has committed to sustainable practices long before the concept gained mainstream attention. Hotel Belmar’s operations prioritize local sourcing, reducing carbon footprints through eco-friendly methods, and promoting sustainable living among its guests.
Hotel Belmar’s Commitment to Regenerative Practices
Hotel Belmar exemplifies the principles of regenerative tourism through its innovative practices and dedication to sustainability. The hotel eschews modern luxuries such as swimming pools, televisions, or air conditioning in favor of panoramic views of the cloud forest and natural cooling provided by mountain breezes. Two farm-to-table restaurants and a “garden-to-glass” brewery, supported by onsite gardens and the sister property Finca Madre Tierra, also demonstrate the hotel’s commitment to regenerative practices. Finca Madre Tierra is Costa Rica’s first certified carbon-neutral farm and incorporates regenerative agricultural methods such as composting food scraps, using natural pest control, and seasonal local sourcing.
The hotel sources most of its ingredients locally and seasonally, limits meat and dairy options to reduce its carbon footprint, and ensures that animal products come in small portions from regional producers. According to General Manager Tania Castro, Hotel Belmar’s impact often continues even after guests check out, with many visitors inspired to adopt sustainable practices in their own lives, demonstrating the hotel’s influence on promoting a regenerative mindset.
Community Initiatives and Collaborations
Hotel Belmar extends its regenerative efforts beyond its premises by participating in the H4 Collective, an alliance of hotels in Monteverde dedicated to sustainability, cultural preservation, and authentic hospitality. The collective collaborates on conservation projects, shares regenerative practices, and supports community initiatives such as theater, cinema, and art classes. These collaborative efforts not only enhance the sustainability of the local tourism sector but also contribute to preserving Monteverde’s cultural heritage.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Monteverde Institute, Hotel Belmar connects tourists to local community projects that foster deeper engagement and make tangible differences. Eco-travel advocate Martha Honey supports such community involvement, known as travel philanthropy, which aims to create positive impacts through tourist participation in local initiatives.
Diverse Opportunities for Regenerative Tourism
Local communities often feel marginalized within the current tourism model, as foreign investors dominate much of the sector. Regenerative tourism aims to shift this balance by empowering residents to play a central role in guiding tourism activities. This approach not only ensures that tourism benefits the local community but also helps preserve cultural heritage and promotes social equity.
One significant challenge in advancing regenerative tourism is differentiating genuine practices from greenwashing. Travelers frequently find it difficult to identify truly eco-friendly initiatives due to ambiguous claims and inconsistencies in certification programs. This confusion undermines efforts to encourage responsible travel, thereby hindering the progress of regenerative tourism.
To foster a more authentic and beneficial model of tourism, it’s crucial to establish clear standards and transparent certification processes. Educating travelers about what to look for in sustainable tourism practices can also make a significant difference. By involving local communities and creating more stringent regulations, we can ensure that tourism serves both the environment and the people living in these destinations. This holistic approach will pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable future in travel.
