This page was last updated April 29, 2010
Related Organizations of Interest
CREST SupportorsSupport CREST
The Center for Resposible Travel (CREST) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charity, and the majority of our work is funded by donations and grants. To make a secure, tax-deductible donation to CREST, please click here.
Our Partners
African Safari Lodge Foundation
The African Safari Lodge Foundation (ASLF) and members of its team, have many years of experience in conservation, development, tourism and land reform through its activities as the ASLF and its predecessor, Mafisa Planning and Research. The company’s mission to facilitate economic growth, ownership, skills development and job-creation through responsible forms of tourism and related land uses following a “rights-based” approach.
Basecamp Foundation
The Basecamp Foundation is a not-for-profit foundation that funds and supports initiatives that develop and promote responsible tourism. The 'mother' unit, and advisory board, is based in Oslo, Norway. As of May 2009 the Basecamp Foundation also consists of two other linked, but separate foundations: Basecamp Foundation Kenya, which hosts and operates the resources for implementing projects and developing programs, and Basecamp Foundation USA, which manages contacts in the US and administers our fundraising and project development operations in the USA and Canada.
Basecamp Foundation and their for-profit associated company, Basecamp Explorer partnered previously with CREST for the Travelers' Philanthropy Conference held December 3 - 5, 2008 in Arusha, Tanzania. Basecamp Foundation and CREST are working currently on producing the Travelers' Philanthropy Handbook.
Fundación Corcovado
The Corcovado Foundation is a non profit organization, created by concerned neighbors of Corcovado National Park to lead the fight to stop illegal hunting and logging. It is a hands-on, down to earth local leader in conservation, who works closely with the National Park Service to protect the wild heritage and the future of protected areas. The foundation advances the cause of environmental education and champions the rights of the local communities, while encouraging responsible tourism as a tool to help protect this incredible gift that we have been left, the Osa Peninsula.
Greentique
Greentique Hotels is Costa Rica’s acknowledged leader in environmental and responsible tourism for over 17 years. Operating 3 boutique properties within Costa Rica’s most environmentally distinct and biologically diverse regions, respect for environment, community and employees are the core elements that guide managements operations. Greentique Hotels has been internationally recognized for its world-class levels of environmental and social responsibility. The management group are recipients of Costa Rica/CST 5 green leaves for sustainability excellence as well as the UN World Heritage Alliance and Rainforest Alliance awards for best sustainable practices in tourism. Greentique Hotels is committed to providing guests their unique brand of up-scale sustainable hospitality, which includes experiences and opportunities for community program participation, environmental education and nature based activities that fulfill its philosophy and commitment to providing “exceptional Costa Rican experiences”.
INCAE
INCAE is a private, non-profit, multinational, higher-education organization devoted to teaching and research endeavors in the fields of business and economics aimed at training and instructing, from a worldwide perspective, individuals capable of successfully holding top management positions in Latin America. In 1964, the business community and the governments of the Central American nations founded INCAE as an initiative. Since its inception it has had the technical supervision of the Harvard Business School. INCAE is presently focused on three key activities:
- Masters programs in areas critical for Latin American development.
- Executive training programs and seminars.
- Research projects on competitiveness in the region.
INCAE has an applied approach combining the best practice and the world frontier of knowledge with the realities in Latin America.
Maliasili Initiatives
Maliasili Initiatives Ltd. is a consulting firm based in northern Tanzania that works to develop innovative strategies for sustainable natural resource management that bridge interests in rural development, governance, and biodiversity conservation. We work with local communities, collaborating non‐government organizations, and public and private entities to develop new livelihood opportunities from enterprises related to tourism, forestry, livestock production, and other resources. We work with both researchers and field practitioners to tackle challenges relating to natural resource rights and tenure by developing more effective strategies for governance reforms.
fnelson@habari.co.tzMonteverde Institute 
The Monteverde Institute (MVI) is an international research and educational center committed to providing education for a sustainable future. A non-profit association founded in 1986, MVI is located high in the Tilaran Mountains of Costa Rica. Its 38-acre campus forms part of the famous Monteverde Reserve Complex, an area of natural preserves that protect more than 65,000 acres of endangered tropical forest. This location underlines the importance of MVI’s commitment to sustainability. The institute’s programs are based on the belief that in order to achieve sustainability—both locally and globally—a combination of environmental, social, cultural, economic, and technological factors must be carefully considered. To that end, MVI fosters a synergistic approach that blends international study, applied research and community engagement. Its programs focus on ecotourism, conservation biology, community health, land use and sustainable development, anthropology, social development, and Spanish language and culture.
Rainforest Alliance
The Rainforest Alliance is a leading international conservation organization. Our mission is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that live within them by implementing better business practices for biodiversity conservation and sustainability. Companies, cooperatives, and landowners that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards for protecting the environment, wildlife, workers, and local communities. The Rainforest Alliance boasts more than 17,000 supporters, with an annual budget of nearly $9 million (2002). The Rainforest Alliance runs the Adopt-a-Rainforest Program, Sustainable Agriculture Network, and the SmartWood and SmartVoyager programs.
Sostenible Por Naturaleza
Sustainable by Nature is a specialized, highly experienced, bilingual (English/Spanish) consultancy firm, conducting research, assessments, field projects, and public presentations in sustainable tourism and ecotourism, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity, local communities, and sustainable development issues. While Sustainable by Nature is based in Santa Ana, Costa Rica, the organization has the flexibility to work in other locations around the world. Sustainable by Nature frequently works for private companies, development agencies, non governmental organizations, local community organizations and municipality governments.
www.corporardis.com/sustainablebynaturecr
United Nations Environment Programme
CREST Media Partner
WORLD FOOTPRINTS
WORLD FOOTPRINTS (formerly Travel'n On) is an Award-Winning broadcast company that celebrates responsible travel, culture and heritage through its educational, entertaining and eclectic weekly travel radio shows and multi-media programs. Travelers learn about voluntourism, geotourism, travel philanthropy, the preservation of our cultural heritage and protecting the eco-balance of our planet. World Footprints offers fascinating interviews with celebrities, authors and newsmakers about their transformative travel experiences. World Footprints explores unique destinations and travel niches and provides the latest information about legislation impacting travel.
Related Organizations of Interest
Ecotourism Portal, part of EcoClub: http://www.ecotourism.cc
Sustainable Travel International: http://www.sustainabletravelinternational.org
The International Ecotourism Society: http://www.ecotourism.org
United Nations Division for Sustainable Development: http://www.un.org/esa/sustdev
World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD): http://www.wbcsd.org