W Costa Rica & The Westin Reserva Conchal are situated in Reserva Conchal. This development provides an 18-hole golf course meeting international standards, direct access to Playa Conchal, hiking and mountain biking trails, along with various other amenities. Both the resort and hotels share a robust and authentic dedication to the environment, consistently undertaking actions for sustainability.
Our operational principles are grounded in an ESG strategy, which stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance—highlighting the elements that render a company sustainable through its commitment to environmental, social, and sound governance practices. Adhering to these ESG principles, we undertake initiatives, programs, and projects aimed at generating a positive impact on the environment and communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES 1. Recyclable waste recovery center: Waste collection is carried out daily inside the resort and in Playa Conchal, with containers for materials separation. Similarly, we have internal production of compost based on organic waste from restaurants and pruning of green areas. The resulting compost allows reducing the application of fertilizers and is used in garden areas and sectors of the golf course. 2. Wastewater treatment: We have two treatment plants that process 100% of the wastewater from hotel and residential operations. The result of this process is used in irrigation of green areas and golf courses. 3. Desalination Plant: We have the first seawater desalination plant in the country. The main objective of this plant is to have an alternative source of water for use in resort operations. 4. Solar panels: use of solar radiation to generate approximately 7% of the energy required for the operation of the Westin Hotel, through the installation of 1,382 panels. 5. Electric vehicle fleet: the vehicle fleet used for the internal service of transporting guests is electric. 6. Green Choice: a guest-oriented sustainability program in which guests can choose to reduce their environmental footprint by opting out of the linen washing service for up to three days. 7. Environmental Education a. Training: training processes provided to associates, talents and suppliers about environmental legislation, biodiversity, natural resources, climate change, among others. b. Symbiosis: program that promotes environmental education for boys and girls from community educational centers, through guided tours in our Wildlife Refuge for didactic and experimental learning. c. Awareness raising: specific actions to raise awareness about relevant issues such as: vector control for disease prevention (dengue, zika, chicungunya), forest fire prevention and proper management of waste during vacations, the non-extraction of wild plants and animals, among others. We provide buckets at the exit to the beach of our hotels so that guests can collect microplastics and beach litter. This initiative encourages environmental responsibility among our visitors, allowing them to actively contribute to the preservation of the beach ecosystem. By offering these buckets, we aim to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution and promote a cleaner and more sustainable coastal environment for everyone to enjoy.
8. Environmental certifications a) Carbon Neutrality Certification: We are considered the first Carbon Positive all-inclusive hotel in Latin America, which means that we offset 20% more of the emissions we generate. b) ISO 14001: international certification that guarantees that the operations are developed in accordance with the reliable and adequate protection of the environment in which we develop. c) Certification of Tourism Sustainability: Costa Rican program that differentiates tourism companies according their level of sustainability. We have the highest category in force today: the ELITE level. d) Ecological Blue Flag Program: award that rewards the effort and work carried out in the search for conservation and development. We have this certificate in the categories: Beach, Community, Protected Natural Area and Sustainable Homes. e) Sanitary Quality Seal: certificate that guarantees the potability of the water for human consumption within the resort. 9. Conchal Mixed National Wildlife Refuge: created in 2009 with a total area of 39.75 hectares. It belongs to the Tempisque Conservation Area and develops environmental education, research and ecotourism activities. There is a Meliponary (bees without sting) from the year 2020, in order to raise awareness about the importance of bees in the ecosystem and their role in pollination. 10. Research Studies: Different studies of environmental performance, biodiversity, monitoring through trap cameras, carbon removals, ecosystem states, are carried out in order to generate information for decision making. 11. Baulas-Conchal Biological Corridor: This corridor will allow the movement of wild species naturally and the proliferation of flora species, promoting the regeneration of ecosystems and the genetic enrichment of species. 12. Apiary: This project was born in alliance with the national brand Blue Zones Nicoya, in order to protect the bees, obtain a high-quality product and, at the same time, generate employment for people from neighboring communities. It houses more than 2.5 million bees distributed in 30 hives, which are responsible for pollinating hundreds hectares of forests. In 2021, product samples were sent to the London International Honey Quality Competition, obtaining the “Gold” award in the “Quality” category. 13. BEH_2 OK and stop using plastic: replacement of plastic bags with cloth, mesh and geotextile bags, installation of water dispensers to promote the reuse of bottles, substitution of plastic egg trays for reusable trays, among other actions.
SOCIAL INITIATIVES • Dual Professional Technical Training: youth training project carried out since 2014 in partnership with the National Learning Institute. It allows people from our neighboring communities to learn disciplines within the the tourism sector through theoretical-practical teaching methods. • Volunteering program: At our organization, we prioritize social responsibility and community engagement. We actively facilitate the involvement of our team members in volunteer opportunities, whether they be focused on social or environmental projects. As part of our commitment to making a positive impact, each of our collaborators is encouraged to dedicate a minimum of 8 hours annually to volunteering in activities that contribute to the well-being of our community. We believe that by collectively investing our time and efforts, we can create a meaningful and lasting difference in the world around us. • Astro Desarrollo: At Astro Desarrollo, our dedication lies in tackling the complex poverty experienced by our collaborators and their families. Through our Astro Development program, we take proactive steps to diminish social deprivations. We achieve this by offering educational aid to ensure the completion of secondary education. Furthermore, we extend targeted support to alleviate issues related to indebtedness, health challenges, and insurance. Our comprehensive approach aims to enhance overall well-being, uplift our community, and foster a future that's more sustainable and fair for everyone. • $1 dollar program: the automatic charge of one dollar per room per night of stay that can be accepted or rejected by the guest. It is transferred to a social investment account that has allowed, among other things, to build a police station in the community, donate equipment to health centers, as well as sponsor continuous English language teaching programs for children in communities vulnerable. • Garden/vegetable plot: internal agricultural production project that encourages the involvement of women and generates employability. This produce is acquired by The Westin Reserva Conchal and W Costa Rica hotel units for their preparation in drinks and food.
• Bilingualism Program: public-private alliance led by the resort through which a dynamic, continuous and natural learning of English as a second language is promoted for boys and girls in their early childhood. • Brasilito New School: In February 2023, the Brasilito community welcomed a brand-new school into its midst. After 12 years of lacking proper infrastructure, this center now accommodates nearly 200 boys and girls. Equipped with classrooms for primary, preschool, and special education, the school marks a significant improvement in educational opportunities for the community's students. Our goal with this initiative is to enhance the learning environment and offer a suitable space for the educational growth of Brasilito's youth. • Public Force: project inaugurated in 2019 that allows improving the safety conditions of the inhabitants of the communities near our project. • Code of conduct: we are part of the network of companies subscribed to the code of conduct, a Costa Rican strategy that ensures the non-commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the tourism sector. • Social projects / specific cooperation: active involvement in the development of actions in search of a better quality of life for the region, through joint work with stakeholders on issues such as public health, education, tourism-citizen safety, environment.