COSTA RICAN RESORT HONORED IN CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER WORLD SAVERS AWARDS

08-28-2010

THE TABACÓN GRAND SPA THERMAL RESORT HONORED IN THE 4^th ANNUAL CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER WORLD SAVERS AWARDS

La Fortuna, COSTA RICA (August 2010) – A newcomer to the Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Awards, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort in Costa Rica has earned an honorable mention in the poverty relief category. The resort’s Poverty Relief Program, which matches each optional $3 per-room, per-night guest donation to support schools and a shelter for orphans, scored the highest rating in the competition among large resorts worldwide.

 

The Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Awards recognize resorts worldwide that are dedicated to social responsibility. A team of 22 expert judges and seven editors chose the honorees for the awards from a record-breaking 164 applicants. The awards were announced in the September issue, currently available on newsstands. A ceremony will be held in Singapore on October 19-20, 2010 as a part of the annual Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Congress to formally announce the award winners.

 

This new social responsibility honor directly follows Tabacón’s recent achievement of the Luxury Eco Certification Standards (LECS) from Sustainable Travel International (STI) in association with The Leading Hotels of the World. Standing out among hospitality giants and long-established hotel groups, the individually owned Tabacón is a consistent world leader in responsible travel and sustainability efforts and is a 100% carbon neutral resort recognized by the Government of Costa Rica. Tabacón’s Green Brigade ensures that the resort continues to conserve energy and water, as well as recycle, which helps to protect the natural treasures and resources that inhabit the resort’s 872 acres. The brigade, comprised of staff members, focuses on community service to proactively preserve Costa Rica’s wildlife, rainforest and the Arenal Volcano.

 

Costa Rica has long been a pioneer in ecotourism.  This year, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort joins three other Costa Rican World Savers Awards honorees: Nature Air, an overall winner in the airline section based on its education programs and wildlife conservation and the world’s first carbon-neutral airline; Pacuare Lodge, receiving an honorable mention for environment preservation by using non fossil fuels and generating electricity via water-driven turbine; and Cayuga, the overall winner among small hotel chains, a hotel group that invests two to five percent of their revenue in social-responsibility projects. Through their extensive “green” programs, these Costa Rican hospitality companies continue to make a positive impact on the local community and work to help Costa Rica achieve its goal of becoming the World’s first carbon-neutral country by 2021.

 

About Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort

Certified a 100% carbon neutral resort as of May 2009 and the first hotel in the world to receive the Seven Stars and Stripes’ Green World Award, Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort is at the forefront of Costa Rica’s sustainability efforts. The resort has a rainforest-set spa and views of the “live” Arenal volcano. Tabacón is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Leading Spas of the World, and Healing Hotels of the World and the recipient of Certification for Sustainable Tourism. The award-winning Grand Spa has 11 outdoor treatment bungalows, Yoga Studio, a three-unit Temazcal Center and a menu of indigenous treatments. Surrounded by the energy of the volcano, the resort offers a wellness vacation where guests can consult with nutrition and spa staff to develop a healthy living plan and assist with weight management. The 114-room resort’s cuisine is an unusual blend of Ayurveda, Tandoor, Spa, Mexican and Costa Rican influences. The signature Gala Dinner is served in a private rainforest bungalow with private chef and server. Nearby activities include nature tours, hanging bridges, ziplining, canyoning, and hiking to the volcano.  www.tabacon.com, ++506-2519-1999 or toll free 1-877-277-8291.

 

About The Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards

The Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Awards are given annually to travel companies from around the world that promote social responsibility in one or more of the following areas: cultural and environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation, poverty relief and health initiatives. An independent panel of 22 judges, leaders from the travel industry and non-governmental organizations, rated airlines, small hotel chains, large hotel chains, city hotels, small lodges and resorts, large lodges and resorts, tour operators and cruise lines against their peers.  Full results are available at http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/articles/502974. 

 

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