According to National Geographic´s Center for Sustainable Destinations, “geotourism is defined as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. Geotourism incorporates the concept of sustainable tourism—that destinations should remain unspoiled for future generations—while allowing for ways to protect a place's character. Geotourism also takes a principle from its ecotourism cousin,—that tourism revenue should promote conservation—and extends it to culture and history as well, that is, all distinctive assets of a place.”

In an effort to promote those organizations that have worked to incorporate the principles of geotourism into their operation, National Geographic and Ashonka´s Changemakers have introduced the Geotourism Challenge 2009:  Power of Place-Sustaining the Future of Destinations (visit here for more information). 

Read the Harmony Hotel’s 2009 application below:

• 1. What is the goal of your innovation? Please describe in one sentence the kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.

Harmony Hotel seeks to showcase innovative sustainability initiatives (including environmental stewardship and community development) in an effortlessly stylish setting.

• 2. Please write an overview of your project. Include how your approach supports or embodies geotourism or destination stewardship. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the map located on the competition homepage.

The Harmony Hotel works diligently to preserve and showcase the pristine natural areas surrounding the property in an effortlessly stylish and attractive manner, proving that sustainability and style truly can go hand-in-hand.  It is the first hotel in the northern Pacific region of Costa Rica (an area known for overdevelopment and destructive tourism practices) to receive a five-leaf rating from the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (a national certification program which awards hotels for their social and environmental policies)-the highest rating available to hotel operators. 

Environmental initiatives on property include an onsite sustainability coordinator to oversee environmental projects, organic food production, a commitment to native plants in its gardens, vermiculture-based composting systems, solar panels to heat hot water, non-chlorinated pool cleaning systems and much more.   Community projects include educational workshops given by prominent nonprofit organizations and universities on varying topics (waste management, native plants, sustainable development and more), financial assistance to local schools in environmental education and infrastructure, and more.

It is, however, the Harmony Hotel´s ability to possess such a high level of sustainability, and to communicate it effortless to its guests in a stylish and “cool” way, that truly sets it apart from its competition.

• 3. Explain in detail why your approach is innovat tainable development is a viable, and desirable, option for future development projects worldwide.ive.

The Harmony Hotel is a working example of how sustainability can be applied in a truly stylish and modern way, supporting local communities and embracing environmental building techniques, while simultaneously attracting (and thereby influencing) a crowd of individuals who may not normally be interested in supporting traditional ecotourism projects (consisting of camping, hiking, etc).  The key to the Harmony Hotel’s success as a sustainable tourism operation is the way that sustainability and community development seamlessly blend in with the hotel’s smart and tasteful design and operation; guests who come away from the Harmony Hotel leave more aware of sustainability issues and, as a result, more willing to make smarter, more responsible travel decisions and more apt to contribute to the sustainable development in their own communities back home.

Tell us about yourself

• 1. What is the origin of your innovation? Tell the Changemakers and media communities what prompted you to start this initiative.

Seeking the perfect wave, Susan first happened upon Costa Rica in '93 and eight years later, Nosara. Little did she know then just how often she would heed the sirens' call to return. While she lived fulltime in Miami, Nosara took up residence in her heart as the sacred place where she could regroup, reconnect, recharge, and surf away.

John discovered himself under Nosara's spell for the first time in 2001. Originally seduced by the waves and raw charm, John trekked here from Manhattan so often that he decided to make it his official second home. He also found in Nosara a source of inspiration for his then newly founded organization Eyebeam, an NYC based atelier for arts and technology.
When the timing was just right, Susan and John's paths crossed here on Playa Guiones. Their undeniable connection to one another, like their connection to Nosara, was immediately apparent. Just over a year later, they privately exchanged rings and vows on cliffs overlooking the Pacific and Playa Guiones.

When the property in which the Harmony Hotel is currently situated went for sale, it made perfect sense (even if they didn't realize it at the time) that John and Susan decided to purchase and transform it into their personal love letter to Nosara. As a true expression of themselves and their deep commitment to the land and community, the Harmony is a real life labor of love and its beauty, seeking to showcase high standards of style, environmental stewardship and commitment to support and enhance the local community. 

• 2. Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.

John Johnson and Susan Short, owners of the Harmony Hotel, are environmentalists, surfers and, above all else, truly committed to the sustainable development of Nosara, Costa Rica and the world in general.  After only three years of owning and operating the Harmony Hotel, they have proven to be innovators and leaders in the community of Nosara and in the field of sustainable tourism worldwide.

• 3. Describe some unique tourist experiences that your approach provides. Be specific; give illustrative examples.

Unique tourist experiences include:

• - A “sustainability tour” offered by an onsite sustainability coordinator for guests who are interested in sustainability initiatives at the hotel.

• - The chance to dine sustainably in the Harmony Hotel´s “green restaurant” (featuring healthy organic cuisine, a raw food and smoothie bar, the use of biodegradable cleaning products, and more).

• - A tour of the hotel’s organic garden project, where guests can get a hands-on experience smelling and tasting various fruits, vegetables and herbs produced on property (and used in the hotel’s restaurant operations).

• - The chance to watch sea turtles laying their eggs on the nearby Ostional beach and to contribute to the conservation and production of these endangered species.

• - The opportunity to read up on sustainability topics and support environmentally responsible goods (including reusable Sigg Water bottles, biodegradable surf wax, and more) at the hotel´s popular La Tiendita bookstore.

• - Tours of local primary schools (so that guests may participate in traveler’s philanthropy projects).

• - Opportunities to participate in weekly beach clean ups.

• - And much more!

4. What types of partnerships or professional development would be most beneficial in spreading your innovation?

To spread the Harmony Hotel’s vision, partnerships that move down the hotel’s supply chain would be most helpful in spreading the lodge’s innovation to other tourism operators and businesses not necessarily related to tourism worldwide.  For while the Harmony Hotel has worked significantly with local community members and international companies to provide supplies necessary for the hotel’s operation (including organic food suppliers, biodegradable cleaning products, etc) we believe that until these products are available for everyone, at a price that everyone can afford, many of these goods will remain luxury items available only for those who have the means to afford them, and will not become mainstream or common place in the business world.

Impact

• 1. Describe the degree of success you have had to date. How do you measure, both quantitatively and qualitatively, the impact on sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How has it transformed or contributed to the power of place or demonstrated the sustainability of tourism? How does your approach minimize negative impacts?

While the Harmony Hotel has only been operating for three years; we believe the hotel has achieved considerable success in its efforts towards sustainability and community development.  As a baseline to measure the quantitative and qualitative impacts of the hotel’s operations on the surrounding community, the Harmony Hotel works with Costa Rica’s Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a renowned certification scheme that awards tourism operators in Costa Rica leaves for their efforts in conservation, sustainable development and community development.  The CST is a rigorous approach to sustainable tourism, causing one to implement and systematize sustainable business practices at all level of the operation, from monitoring and reducing energy usage to showcasing and highlighting local culture and customs.  The Harmony Hotel is the first hotel in the northern Pacific region of Costa Rica  to receive a five-leaf rating from the CST-the highest rating available to hotel operators. 

The Harmony Hotel also looks at other factors to determine its success, including employee satisfaction and sense of purpose in their work, reductions in energy and water usage, the amount of money being invested in local community projects, and more.

• 2. In what ways are local residents actively involved in your work, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?

Since its opening, local residents have taken an active and participative role in the lodge’s operations.  The Harmony Hotel focuses on training locals in sustainable business and development and maintaining a policy of hiring locals for all hotel positions, thereby improving not only the socio-economic condition of its employees, but also the surrounding community as well.  Over the years, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the local community, who are grateful for the opportunities offered by the hotel, as well as our work in improving public education, waste management and an overall sense of environmental responsibility in Nosara.

• 3. How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?

Guests who visit the Harmony Hotel are exposed to sustainability in an innovative way that seamlessly blends in with the hotel´s low-key ambiance.  The hotel offers a number of tours to local areas of Nosara (including primary schools), sustainability tours that explore the sustainability program of the hotel, and also brings in sustainable products that are either locally made or that guests can purchase in their own homes (thereby further spreading the concept of sustainability).  In particular, the Harmony Hotel´s giftshop features tools for a sustainable lifestyle, including everything from books on permaculture to biodegradable yoga mats. 

4. Describe how your work helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area's cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues.

The Harmony Hotel works extensively to promote the interaction between guest, nature and the community.  Through this exposure and communication (by means of locally guided tours, exhibitions of local art and dance, and tours of local schools) employees, members of the community and guests realize how special and unique both the cultural and natural heritage of the Nosara truly is.  Additionally, through our website, sustainability tour and promotional material given before, during and after the guest´s stay, the Harmony Hotel encourages guests to make their travel decisions wisely, choosing hotels and tourism operators that follow a similar model for sustainable development.

Sustainability and Replicability

• 1. How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.

The Harmony Hotel is privately funded.  The hotel itself is made up of 25 rooms and 60 full time employees. 

• 2. Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? Is there a potential demand for your innovation?

We believe that the fact that the Harmony Hotel is both financially and organizationally stable, and can do so in a stylish and modern way, is just another testament to its success.  This unique ability to combine style and sustainability is one that we believe will draw considerable attention and demand in the years to come.    Additionally, we believe that as the concept of green travel and sustainability continues to spread among travelers, the more successful our project will continue to be.

3. What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having a greater impact.

One of the main challenges that we face here in Costa Rica is the fact that the country is still in a developing stage and that many programs (such as basic solid waste programs or enforcement of environmental regulations) are still not organized or properly in place.  While we as a hotel may be separating and recycling our trash, for example, some of the employees who live in the nearby community do not even have a proper landfill or trash recollection service to dispose their solid waste.  As we try to teach our employees and community about the importance of recycling, and they do not have the means of disposing of solid waste properly in their own communities, it becomes increasingly difficult to complete the educational cycle.  While the Harmony Hotel has embarked on several projects to work with government officials, we at the hotel often feel as though we could use some more government assistance.  Additionally, many of the products and technologies that we have, or would like to implement, at the hotel are very costly (either due to a costly import tax or the high cost of the products themselves), making the usage of these products financially impossible. 

4. What is your plan to expand or further develop your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.

Future plans include:

• Increasing our presence in the local Nosara community and funding/helping to organize more projects that support environmental education and stewardship, the arts, general education and more.

• Forming stronger strategic alliances with nonprofit organizations and universities worldwide to further research and investigation in topics related to sustainable tourism.

• Serving as a testing ground for innovative and upcoming technological developments that enhance sustainability initiatives..

• Working with locals to provide more of the hotel’s necessities (including organic food, hotel linens, and more) and providing micro-financing when possible.