The door to important markets in Holland and England has been opened for more than 100 small tourism businesses - and the key is agreements signed between the Rainforest Alliance, an international conservation organization, and four European tour operators.
British tour operators Addicted to Travel and Geodyssey and Dutch tour operators Baobab Reizen and Sawadee Reizen have signed the dotted line, pledging to their clients that promoting businesses working toward sustainability - those that are concerned with conserving natural treasures and the well-being of nearby communities - will be a top priority. Similar agreements have also been signed with nine companies in the United States.
The pact proclaims that at least half the businesses that they will include in their package tours to Costa Rica have adopted sustainable practices, such as water- and energy-saving initiatives and protecting workers' rights. The company will also survey tourists about their experiences when they return from their tours and will urge them to convince friends and families to take similar trips.
The Rainforest Alliance is putting its European partners in contact with local tour operators who have also signed on to sustainability, and are providing the companies with lists of tourism businesses that are certified or have adopted sustainable practices.
The organization will also periodically organize trips to Costa Rica for representatives from Addicted to Travel, Geodyssey, Baobab Reizen and Sawadee Reizen to introduce them to new destinations and tourism businesses that could potentially be included in their tour packages.
Ecotourism and Nature 
