Ithaca College

José Rogelio Vargas is tour operator for the study abroad course to Costa Rica, RLS 27700 Sustainable Tourism. His presentation discusses the national policies and programs that have made Costa Rica a world leader in sustainable tourism practices. 

Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Hill Center 104

Reception to follow

Free and open to the public 

Mr. Vargas is founder of Ruta Verde Nature Tours, a family company in Costa Rica committed to practice responsible travel that benefits local communities, culture and environments. He has been Director of the Environmental Education Program at Neotrópica in the Osa Peninsula, located in the south of Costa Rica. Mr. Vargas has also implemented international projects such as the Parks in Peril Project sponsored by The Nature Conservancy and Nepenthes in Denmark.

As a partner and consultant with the Avina Foundation and MarViva Foundation, Mr. Vargas developed sustainability entrepreneurship training programs in rural and coastal areas in Costa Rica, Panama and Columbia. In 2004, he co-founded ASEDER (Entrepreneurs Association for Responsible Development) to train young people to develop small businesses with social and environmental responsibility.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Linda Heyne at lheyne@ithaca.edu or (607) 274-3050. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.