To this end, this Ministry shall organize training programs for local residents on the subject of sea turtles and sustainable tourism. For residents who pass the training programs, the National System of Conservation Areas (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación) of MINAE shall provide them with an official ID card accrediting them as guides for tourist groups on beaches of ecotourism interest. Likewise, persons conducting group activities for turtle observation outside the areas of MINAE's competence must obtain the respective tourism guide license issued by the ICT, in accordance with Law No. 7472, Promotion of Competition and Effective Consumer Defense, of December 20, 1994.
Lodging companies, as well as tour operator agencies for tourist groups located in the zones where the beaches declared to be of ecotourism interest are found, or that carry out activities in said zones, shall have priority for the ICT to affiliate them with the Certification Program for Tourism Sustainability (Programa de Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turística).
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