The Eco Luxury concept in the tourism sector
The concept of ‘EcoLuxury’ started mainly in Luxury Resorts and the Real Estate Sector in pioneering places like Costa Rica and the Caribbean Islands. It is a quick and easy formula to identify the two most characteristic features of the building and services - ecological and luxurious. For some reason, in the last 30 years or more, the definition of luxury has lost its intrinsic characteristic of ‘genuine’ or ‘unique’, or that carries an authentic bonus, and became a word that often refers to 'superfluous', 'ostentatious', or ambiguous characteristics such as 'exclusive', or ‘'class'...
Contrary to the origins of the word ‘luxury’ when it meant goods or services were truly important: The products had a provenance (Corinthian raisins, Cararra marble. etc.) that divulged an exquisite manufacturing system, in wise artisan hands with years and years of knowledge. On the other hand, the word 'ecological' came to mean 'simple’, ‘humble’, even ‘uncomfortable’. I remember asking an interior designer at a meeting of very popular hoteliers, Do you work with eco-friendly interior design? His answer, after looking very surprised, was, No, we put in air conditioning.
In summary, the word 'EcoLuxury' is perfectly defined as New Times. Therefore, relevant development complexes such as Santa Lucia Freedom Bay or Real Estate developments in Costa Rica use this concept and define its characteristics as sustainable and innovative architectural designs, resulting in great beauty and visual impact. Creative solutions are appropriate to today's lifestyles, much less rigid than traditional hotel concepts and more open to traveler experiences.
The use of genuine, natural materials from each area - stone, wood, bamboo - innovative technology solutions such as grass on the decks, water architecture in the gardens, bio or natural pools, holistic wellness spas and feng shui design; using cotton, linen, silk and local handicrafts, combined with non-toxic paints and varnishes, all are undeniable signs of luxury. As one famous London journalist used to say, ‘A luxury that is genuine tells a story, unique and unrepeatable. EcoLuxury conveys a philosophy of life, beauty and respect for nature that today’s traveler, with a high level of expectation and cultural level, searches for, appreciates and admires.
The excellence of the 'EcoLuxury' concept, however, goes much further: Using the most innovative green technologies and concepts of zero impact recycling gives an extraordinary value to the concept, respect for the environment along with genuine beauty.
