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Costa Rica - Tourism and the Economy by William Clanton
Many have asked if Costa Rica is suffering
economically from decreased travel or investment and home buying
as cash-strapped foreigners deal with world-wide economies
suffering from high oil prices and other regional issues such as
the U.S. home mortgage crisis.
It should go without saying that Costa Rica is definitely
concerned - especially with fears of a full-blown economic
recession in the United States. After all, Americans accounted
for 54% of the 1.9 million visitors that traveled to Costa Rica
in 2007.
Just recently the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT)
launched an aggressive $14 million dollar U.S. marketing and
advertising campaign over the Internet and through a public
relations agency hired in New York to promote Costa Rica as an
exotic destination that is closer and less expensive than
similarly marketed destinations such as Thailand and other Asian
countries.
Europe is the second largest market for Costa Rica tourism,
accounting for 17% of the visitors. The majority of the European
travelers are from Spain, Germany, France, England, and Italy.
In addition to these countries, the ICT is intensifying
publicity in the growing markets of Russia, France and
Switzerland. Marketing Costa Rica to Asian markets is on the
agenda as well. Last year an agreement was signed with China,
adding Costa Rica as a tourist destination.
With so many different countries choosing Costa Rica as a
first-tier vacation location, the ICT predicts a tourist growth
rate of 6% in 2008. This in addition to the 10.15% increase
achieved just last year.
Costa Rica as a Destination for Entrepreneurs:
Surveys of Costa Rica tourists indicate they are well educated
and spend considerable discretionary income on travel. The
majority are adventurous with their choices of activities and
accommodations and plan their own trips versus relying on travel
agents. These primarily American tourists are; affluent, college
educated with over 90% having bachelors or graduate degrees,
middle aged, and married without children living at home. Their
education and income levels indicate they are high-end travelers
that are somewhat recession proof.
Activities in Costa Rica:
Conservative travel activities and moderate length of stay are
favored by the typical Costa Rica traveler. The majority of the
first-time travelers prefer Costa Rica more than any other Latin
American destination that they had visited based on Costa Rica's
ecotourism and its unspoiled environment. The primary activities
of these travelers are:
* Ecotourism
* Sightseeing
* Beach and Waterfront Activities
Rank of Latin American Countries:
The fact that Costa Rica was ranked as the number-one
destination among Latin American countries indicates its current
worldwide attractiveness as one of the worlds top tourist
destinations.
Rank of World-Wide Countries:
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) projects
the increase in world-wide international tourist arrivals to be
around 3 percent for 2008 ... while projecting Costa Rica's 2008
tourism increase to be around 10 percent.
Costa Rica has been a member of the United Nations World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) for three years and in October, 2008 Costa
Rica's Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, was
appointed to head the UNWTO Executive Council. "The appointment
is a high recognition of Costa Rica's efforts in sustainable
tourism. [Costa Rica] has become a model and leader in this
arena," said Minister Benavides.
According to Minister Benavides; "This position plays an
important role within the WTO as it helps to lead and approve
... important topics such as poverty eradication through tourism
in developing countries, fair economic distribution, as well as
conversation, protection and adequate use of natural resources.
Travel to Costa Rica:
Last year, seven new airlines began flying to Costa Rica; four
U.S. and three European. These new flight options represented an
increase in 675,000 available seats for a grand total of 2.7
million annual airline seats to Costa Rica - which is a 33%
increase over the last several years. Costa Rica is now working
to attract two new low-cost American airlines as well as a giant
European airline interested in adding Costa Rica as a new
destination.
Guanacaste, the Pacific Coast - Increase in Tourism in 2008
Tourism in Guanacaste reached a new high in the first three
months of 2008, as more than 150,000 people flew into the region
via the Liberia airport. These new figures confirm that
Guanacaste has become the principal tourism destination of the
country, with many tourists so satisfied with their experience
that they keep coming back for more.
Vacation and Retirement Homes in Costa Rica:
Costa Rica matured approximately five years ago into a premier
destination for vacation and retirement homes. Successful
tourism surely fueled this housing market that has caught-on
with Baby Boomers and their children, the Gen-X'ers.
Tourism and Housing Effects in Costa Rica:
* Costa Rica's economic growth continues unabated.
* Tax receipts for services and infrastructure keep increasing.
* Rundown areas are being cleaned up and modernized.
* Property values rise as new housing developments and resorts
continue construction.
* More Costa Rica residents have jobs.
* Most Costa Rican's view tourism and development projects as an
opportunity to improve their own lives.
The above information is provided as a simple overview of how
Costa Rica is doing during these current world-wide economic
times.
Bottom line: Pretty good overall ;o)
¡Pura Economía!
After many years of traveling to and from Costa Rica, Bill and
his nine year old son (a Costarricense native) made the decision
to move permanently to the wonderful country of Costa Rica.
William Clanton
THE LOCATION IS AWESOME BECAUSE...
Surrounding Bella Tierra Development Where Land is for Sale, you will
quickly realize how amazing the natural beauty and how diverse recreational
activities are! For instance, Samara Beach offers perfect surfing
conditions, romantic nightlife, sports fishing, diving, reef snorkeling,
swimming, wind surfing, horseback riding, golfing, as well as awesome
restaurants. So, come and enjoy Costa Rica's irresistible white sand beaches
lined with beautiful tropical coconut trees, and consider building a home in
Samara, Costa Rica. If you are interested, please contact Coldwell Banker
Samara and ask for Angelina (contact information is listed in the footer of
each Webpage).
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ENLARGE MAP:
Bella Tierra Map
Samara, Costa Rica
Lots for Sale
Costa Rica's Monarch Butterfly
Costa Rica's Red Eyed Frog
Monteverde's Hummingbird
Blue Jean Dart Frog with Tadpole
Costa Rica has the most exotic wildlife.
They have such a large variety of breathtaking species!
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