eTN News Hotel Punta Islita is thrilled to announce its selection as the winner of the 2006 Investor in People Award sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council. As part of the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, this accolade celebrates industry initiatives that have resulted in tangible benefits to local communities.

Accepting the award at the presentation ceremony during the Travel & Tourism Summit in Washington DC, Executive Vice President and Director Mr. Eduardo Villafranca thanked the judging panel adding, ?We are honored to belong to an industry that is embracing a commitment toward human development by actively pursuing and encouraging the highest corporate responsibility standards. We would also like to convey special thanks on behalf of our local partners, the rural communities neighboring Hotel Punta Islita that have embraced opportunity with bold enthusiasm. Their drive has provided fertile ground for Responsible Tourism policies and programs, gradually transforming an impoverished isolated region into a thriving collective of artists, entrepreneurs, and travel professionals.?

Hotel Punta Islita has pioneered a Responsible Tourism program that encourages the preservation of local culture, equitable development, and the rational stewardship of natural resources. Community, Art, Responsibility, and Environment are the underpinnings of the We Care program of the Punta Islita Model and have effectively consolidated the Hotel?s unique charm and character. A strong focus on artistic expression has been the most innovative feature because the creative avenues provided to local populations have propelled a collective sense of possibility, hope, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Inaugurated in 1994, Hotel Punta Islita is a luxury boutique hotel located in a secluded cove along the coastline of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Trimmed by rugged mountains, rural villages, and the Pacific Ocean, it features spectacular views, charming luxury, exciting activities, and cultural authenticity. Currently, the Hotel features over 45 accommodation options including Deluxe Rooms, Suites, and Villas, hosting over 6500 annual visitors from all over the globe.