Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa is committed to holistic sustainability. In March of this year the resort unveiled its official 2021 Sustainability Report, demonstrating extensive sustainability strategies across three focus areas: environmental, corporate responsibility, and culture. By turning the concept of hospitality inwards during this time of global crisis, Tabacón has been able to remain an economically responsible partner to its community, staff, and suppliers, all while continuing to protect, regenerate, and promote the benefits of natural resources at the core of the Tabacón experience.
The detailed report aligns key initiatives against the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and lays the groundwork for ambitious sustainability plans in the coming years. Over the last two years, Tabacón’s commitment to sustainability has been recognized by the resort’s inclusion in global sustainability programs. In 2020, Tabacón joined the Virtuoso Sustainability Community, which requires adherence to criteria that align with environmental, cultural, and social pillars through operational and economic responsibility, and positive impact.
Consideration for downstream water protection andnative landscaping was demonstrated during the renovation of the main pool area where Tabacón’s house nursery was able to provide 96% of the 1,036 plants used to surround the pool. The property itself consists of 353 hectares of rainforest, only 7 of which are built on, and is home to an ongoing rewilding program. Since 2009, more than 1500 trees have been planted by guests as part of Tabacón’s Plant A Tree Program and are tagged for guests to revisit.
Tabacón makes a concerted effort to serve the people of the surrounding community in La Fortuna. As a key stakeholder in the establishment of tourism within the La Fortuna region and a member of the Arenal Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, community care extends outside the immediate Tabacón family. During the pandemic, Tabacón staff launched into action to prepare and deliver 6,885 lunches to more than 850 families over a 7 month period and contributed to the #FeedFortuna online campaign which raised just shy of $20,000 feeding 500 families. In addition, the importance of sustaining and promoting Costa Rican culture is at the heart of its mission. Tabacón has been involved in countless educational and cultural projects in the area for several years, including the Communal Band of La Fortuna which supports 200 musicians of all ages playing wind and percussion instruments, a dance group dedicated to Costa Rican dance, and the Color Guard. Through the San Carlos Creativo program, Tabacón hosts artist Freddy Acuña twice a month who exhibits crafts that tell the story of Costa Rican legends.
With the recent addition of new General Manager Andrey Gomez, further developments are on the horizon. Andrey Gomez says: “Tabacón has always been a trailblazer in Costa Rica. It is the resort that put La Fortuna, now one of the most visited destinations in the country, on the map. For me, it’s a privilege to be able to join a team that has come together during the last two years like no other and be given the opportunity to evolve its legacy for the future. I look forward to exploring my own roots as we continue to regenerate both land and tradition through the Tabacón experience.”His inherent understanding of the region and proven expertise in balancing the requirements of luxury tourism with social and environmental integrity are reflected in his role as custodian of this eco-resort, with an emphasis on elevating the guest experience to the next level.