Costa Rica – Dec. 12, 2017 – Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica is the proud winner of the 2018 IAGTO Sustainability Award in the Nature Protection category for its reforestation and naturalization projects.
Each year global golf tourism industry body IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), in partnership with the GEO Foundation (formerly Golf Environment Organization), celebrates the outstanding sustainability achievements of golf facilities, resorts and destinations around the world.
As part of the property’s commitment to the environment, Los Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort started a sustainability initiative that aims to reinsert the Scarlet Macaw – whose presence has diminished in the Central Pacific Area of Costa Rica – into its natural habitat. This has been done by acquiring and planting Tonka Bean trees (Dipteryx panamensis) which are used by the macaws for nesting and as a source of food.
The property partners with local school children to assist in establishing the native tree plantations, providing a valuable educational and hands-on community experience, while also protecting soil and watersheds, increasing habitat areas for wildlife, and reducing course maintenance expenses. The trees are planted in the green areas of Los Sueños Marriott and in the adjacent areas of the golf course.
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized with this prestigious award for our golf course and environmental efforts,” said Jose Torres, General Manager at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort. “The surrounding rainforest is very important to our community in helping to preserve the environment. Awards like the IAGTO Sustainability Award in Nature Protection show that our efforts are making an impact.”
The 6,698-yard, 18-hole championship La Iguana Golf Course offers a 73.4 course rating and par-72, Ted Robinsondesigned layout situated alongside an exotic rainforest. PGA-qualified golf professionals, a vast driving range, putting green and TaylorMade rental equipment provide members with the finest of Costa Rica golf facilities and services. The rich landscape is lined with more than 150 species of birds and local wildlife including native plants, banana trees, orchids and monkeys.
Forming part of the prestigious IAGTO Awards, the sixth annual IAGTO Sustainability Awards were announced at the opening of the International Golf Travel Market in Cannes, France. They recognize the high performance and commitment across three core areas of sustainability – nature, resources, and community. The awards are open to all IAGTO members and have been designed so that achievements and results from the past 12 months are taken into strongest consideration. With three key areas of sustainability recognized each year – Nature, Resources, Community – the awards spotlight actions and activities of different golf facilities from year to year.
In its citation for the Nature Protection Award, GEO state: “Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, in Costa Rica, recognized as a ‘Marriott Top Property’, wins the 2018 Nature Protection category for its reforestation and naturalization projects. Native tree plantations are established with the help of local school children to create habitat for the iconic parrot species, the Scarlet Macaw. Not only does this provide a valuable educational and hands-on community experience, it also protects soil and watersheds, increases habitat areas for wildlife, and reduces course maintenance expenses.”
For more information about the 2018 IAGTO Sustainability Awards and to download high resolution photos and logos, please visit: www.iagto.com/awards.
About Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Set on a 1,100-acre rainforest, Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort overlooks the Pacific Ocean adjacent to Herradura Beach. The Spanish colonial-style property offers up 201 guest rooms and suites, frequently recognized as a top resort with accolades to the likes of Condè Nast Traveler’s Top Resort in Central and South America, Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards and the World Travel Awards’ Leading Golf Resort in Costa Rica. The resort’s prime location amidst the beach and the rainforest embraces a variety of adventurous activities from zip lining to horseback riding in addition to canopy tours and deep-sea fishing. On-site, guests can indulge in the Ted Robinson championship golf course, five unique dining venues, and a network of pools complete with canals, islands and swim-up bars.
About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is the world’s largest hotel company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 5,700 properties in over 110 countries. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts. The company’s 30 leading brands include: Bulgari®, The Ritz-Carlton® and The Ritz-Carlton Reserve®, St. Regis®, W®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, The Luxury Collection®, Marriott Hotels®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Renaissance® Hotels, Sheraton®, Delta Hotels by MarriottSM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Tribute Portfolio™, Design Hotels™, Gaylord Hotels®, Courtyard®, Four Points® by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, Residence Inn®, TownePlace Suites®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Aloft®, Element®, Moxy® Hotels, and Protea Hotels by Marriott®. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com and @MarriottIntl.
Contact:
Brenda Obando - Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort - Brenda.Obando@marriotthotels.com
Lauren Josey - Quinn PR - ljosey@quinn.pr
