Gisele Bundchen Presents Award to Green Hotels President Jim Damalas
Green Hotels of Costa Rica, a leading certified hotel group in Sustainable Hospitality, received the 2009 Corporate Sustainable Trend Setters Award from the Rainforest Alliance at its annual gala, held this year on May 6th at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The award, presented by event Honorary Chair, model Gisele Bundchen to Green Hotels of Costa Rica president Jim Damalas, is in recognition of the hotel group's "on-going dedication, innovation and leadership in environmental conservation." Previous honorees included the Prince of Wales, Walter Cronkite, Ted Turner, Kraft Foods, Chiquita Brands, FedExKinko's, HSBC and Nature Air of Costa Rica.
Brazilian Model Gisele Caroline Bündchen presented the award
Said Damalas, "We are really quite honored by this recognition, particularly since we are a relatively small group of 'greentique' hotels in Costa Rica, quite modest in comparison to some of the giant hotel chains," said Damalas. "But we recognize and embrace our responsibility, regardless of our size."
Green Hotels of Costa Rica's commitment to ecological and economic sustainability is world-class, certified by CST (Certification of Sustainable Tourism) as well as Rainforest Alliance Best Practices and the World Heritage Alliance with the UN and host the research of INBio (The Institute of Biodiversity). Renown for exceptional service, quality accommodations and delivering authentic Costa Rican experiences for its guests, Green Hotels of Costa Rica include Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge, Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel & Nature Reserve and the Aguila de Osa Inn.
Achievements of the 2009 gala honorees:
Green Hotels of Costa Rica
Propelled by founder Jim Damalas' vision for a collection of sustainably designed, developed and managed properties, Green Hotels of Costa Rica created Si Como No Resort and Spa in 1993. The group expanded ten years later with Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel and Nature Reserve and Aguila de Osa Inn. Green Hotels are a model of social, environmental and economic responsibility, boasting some of the lowest hotel employee turnover rates in Costa Rica. All employees receive full benefits and the eco-responsible properties abide by strict water usage and treatment guidelines, recycle waste and have installed units to produce solar energy.
"The honorees we've selected have made solid commitments that benefit ecosystems, workers and wildlife worldwide," said Tensie Whelan, president of the Rainforest Alliance, who was named one of the 100 most influential people in business ethics for the second year in a row by Ethisphere magazine. "By making sustainability a priority in their business decisions, they demonstrate its importance not only for the longevity of their businesses but also for the well-being of the entire planet."
