Los Sueños Marriott takes home IAGTO Sustainability Award
Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica was named the 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 – a large red, yellow, and blue South American parrot 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 Robinson-designed layout situated alongside a rainforest. The rich landscape is lined with more than 150 species of birds and local wildlife including native plants, banana trees, orchids and monkeys.
Photo: Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
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I have playes the course twice and it is absolutely, amazingly beautiful. We saw a abundance of wildlife including the Macaws and monkeys. If you are ever in. Costa Rica this is the place to stay!!! Golf was unbelievable and the resort has a casino and amazing Marina and resturants!