The Zeitz Foundation, a Kenya-based non-profit organization that promotes sustainable development, chose Costa Rica’s Monte Azul resort and Tanzania’s Chumbe Island Coral Park as the first two locations in the world to receive a Global Ecosphere Retreat (GER) certification, which is the Zeitz Foundation’s award for the highest level of sustainability.
“The GER stamp of approval means that these two amazing places tick all the right boxes in the areas of conservation, community, culture and commerce,” Zeitz Foundation founder Jochen Zeitz said in a statement. Zeitz, chairman and CEO of sportswear giant PUMA, helped turn the company around and eventually launched its corporate sustainability initiative.
“During the certification process, the assessors met with various members of the community to evaluate our relationship with them,” Monte Azul co-founder Carlos Rojas said. “This was unexpected and highlights the commitment to quality, integrity and the thoroughness of the Zeitz Foundation’s certification program, of which we are honored to be the first to receive the GER certificate.”
Monte Azul is an owner-operated boutique hotel and center for contemporary art and conservation in Chimirol de Rivas, near the Southern Zone’s Mount Chirripó. For more, see: www.monteazulcr.com and www.zeitzfoundation.org.
