Central America is promoting Sustainable Tourism next year with the purpose of increasing the number of tourists coming to the region.

The declaration of 2012 as the year of sustainable tourism is part of the strategy of the Governments of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama to increase the number of European tourists in the region, which currently represent 10% of the annual visitors.

Allan Flores, Minister of Tourism of Costa Rica, stated that the country might offer its experience in the development of “green” products, like the Certificates of Tourism Sustainability, which more than 200 local companies have, according to information from Elnuevodiario.com.ni

In order to increase the benefits of the program, several actions will be reinforced, like the management of natural disasters, climate changes, public safety and the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

One of the priorities of the projects for the upcoming months is to boost regional tourism, which corresponds to 50% of the activity in the zone.

The Hotel Parque del Lago is a true example of sustainable tourism, where Costa Rican culture is represented all over its facilities.