The Journal
“It’s very satisfactory to us that as part of the positive worldwide
growth that the tourism industry has posted in the first few months of
this year, Costa Rica has remained among the group of countries with
the most dynamic performance and the highest increases in the arrival
of international tourists, in the two digits, and in our case, having
three times the world median,” Benavides said. “This pushes us to
continue doubling efforts to keep the current economic uncertainty due
to high petroleum prices from impacting us as much as far as the
tourism activity, but also allows us to see the coming months with a
very positive outlook.”
Another factor contributing to the success of Costa Rica’s tourism in
the midst of adverse conditions is that the country hasn’t faced
reductions in flights, which has occurred to other nations in the
region. According to the June UNWTO barometer, tourism growth was
fastest in regions such as the Middle East, North-East and South Asia,
and Central and South America. The report highlighted nations such as
China, Japan, the United States, Costa Rica, Chile and Peru, among
others, which have managed to post positive two-digit growth.
UNWTO believes that, although consumer confidence indices show an
increasing degree of uncertainty, international tourism has proven to
be resilient in similar circumstances in the past and able to cope with
various types of shocks, including security threats, geopolitical
tensions or natural and man-made crisis. Accounting for these factors,
coupled with a slower but still positive economic growth, international
tourism is as yet expected to keep growing at a solid pace in the
mid-term, broadly in line with UNWTO’s Tourism 2020 Vision forecast
long-term growth rate of about 4 percent.
CR tourism grows at three times the international rate
(Infocom)
— Despite the adverse conditions of the world economy due to the rise
of fuel prices, the economic slowdown in the United States, the
international food crisis and the ever-present threat of terrorism,
Costa Rica continues to perform well in terms of the number of tourists
coming here.
— Despite the adverse conditions of the world economy due to the rise
of fuel prices, the economic slowdown in the United States, the
international food crisis and the ever-present threat of terrorism,
Costa Rica continues to perform well in terms of the number of tourists
coming here.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer issued by the
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Costa Rica has experienced a very
positive performance in terms of tourist influx, remaining in the
two-digit growth level, despite the fact that international travel only
attained a 5-percent growth average during the first four months of
2008 — one percentage point above what was expected at the beginning of
this year.
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Costa Rica has experienced a very
positive performance in terms of tourist influx, remaining in the
two-digit growth level, despite the fact that international travel only
attained a 5-percent growth average during the first four months of
2008 — one percentage point above what was expected at the beginning of
this year.
Costa Rica’s exceptional numbers were highlighted by UNWTO in its
June report, news that Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides was
glad to receive.
June report, news that Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides was
glad to receive.
“It’s very satisfactory to us that as part of the positive worldwide
growth that the tourism industry has posted in the first few months of
this year, Costa Rica has remained among the group of countries with
the most dynamic performance and the highest increases in the arrival
of international tourists, in the two digits, and in our case, having
three times the world median,” Benavides said. “This pushes us to
continue doubling efforts to keep the current economic uncertainty due
to high petroleum prices from impacting us as much as far as the
tourism activity, but also allows us to see the coming months with a
very positive outlook.”
As the time has gone by, Costa Rica has continued to venture into
new tourism market niches with the objective of expanding its product
supply and provide a wide range of options and services to visitors.
The results are noteworthy: between 2003 and 2007, the country’s
tourism activity posted a 56 percent growth, going from 1,238,000 to
1,926,000 visitors, which has contributed to an increase in the range
of products offered by the local industry.
new tourism market niches with the objective of expanding its product
supply and provide a wide range of options and services to visitors.
The results are noteworthy: between 2003 and 2007, the country’s
tourism activity posted a 56 percent growth, going from 1,238,000 to
1,926,000 visitors, which has contributed to an increase in the range
of products offered by the local industry.
During the first five months of 2008, tourist arrival in Costa
Rica grew by 15.6 percent, and estimates indicate some 2.1 million
visitors will have arrived here by the end of the year — at least
200,000 more than in 2007, according to data from the National Chamber
of Tourism (CANATUR). Such data also indicates that the main
attractions sought by tourists are sun and beaches, nature and
adventure, and ecotourism. However, rural tourism, congresses and
conventions, and medical tourism and niches that have helped diversify
the country’s tourism product, reaching more segments and sectors of
the market.
Rica grew by 15.6 percent, and estimates indicate some 2.1 million
visitors will have arrived here by the end of the year — at least
200,000 more than in 2007, according to data from the National Chamber
of Tourism (CANATUR). Such data also indicates that the main
attractions sought by tourists are sun and beaches, nature and
adventure, and ecotourism. However, rural tourism, congresses and
conventions, and medical tourism and niches that have helped diversify
the country’s tourism product, reaching more segments and sectors of
the market.
Another factor contributing to the success of Costa Rica’s tourism in
the midst of adverse conditions is that the country hasn’t faced
reductions in flights, which has occurred to other nations in the
region. According to the June UNWTO barometer, tourism growth was
fastest in regions such as the Middle East, North-East and South Asia,
and Central and South America. The report highlighted nations such as
China, Japan, the United States, Costa Rica, Chile and Peru, among
others, which have managed to post positive two-digit growth.
UNWTO believes that, although consumer confidence indices show an
increasing degree of uncertainty, international tourism has proven to
be resilient in similar circumstances in the past and able to cope with
various types of shocks, including security threats, geopolitical
tensions or natural and man-made crisis. Accounting for these factors,
coupled with a slower but still positive economic growth, international
tourism is as yet expected to keep growing at a solid pace in the
mid-term, broadly in line with UNWTO’s Tourism 2020 Vision forecast
long-term growth rate of about 4 percent.
Tourism market niches
One of the segments of the Costa Rican market that has experienced
tremendous growth and recognition is medical tourism, in which visitors
— in addition to schedule some sort of surgical procedure — also take
advantage of the trip to visit various attractions the country has to
offer.
tremendous growth and recognition is medical tourism, in which visitors
— in addition to schedule some sort of surgical procedure — also take
advantage of the trip to visit various attractions the country has to
offer.
Since 1995, the World Trade Organization has included Costa Rica
in the list of top 20 countries with the best health systems and third
with the highest life expectancy rates. This, in addition to the
quality of health professionals here and the low cost of medical
treatment, has helped position Costa Rica as a favorite destination for
health tourism.
in the list of top 20 countries with the best health systems and third
with the highest life expectancy rates. This, in addition to the
quality of health professionals here and the low cost of medical
treatment, has helped position Costa Rica as a favorite destination for
health tourism.
CANATUR President Gonzalo Vargas said this niche came about almost
accidentally, as tourists who came here to relax began comparing prices
for some health services and took note of the abysmal difference
compared to prices in their home countries.
accidentally, as tourists who came here to relax began comparing prices
for some health services and took note of the abysmal difference
compared to prices in their home countries.
“Tourists have the option of coming to Costa Rica to vacation and,
at the same time, have some sort of health or aesthetic treatment done.
The cost of doing both activities is still less than having just the
medical procedure done in their home countries,” Vargas indicated.
at the same time, have some sort of health or aesthetic treatment done.
The cost of doing both activities is still less than having just the
medical procedure done in their home countries,” Vargas indicated.
According to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), some 95
percent of the people coming here for medical procedures are from the
United States, where costly treatments such as plastic surgery are not
covered by insurance. In Costa Rica, ICT claims, they can save between
50 percent and 70 percent on the costs of such procedures.
percent of the people coming here for medical procedures are from the
United States, where costly treatments such as plastic surgery are not
covered by insurance. In Costa Rica, ICT claims, they can save between
50 percent and 70 percent on the costs of such procedures.
Vargas said that among the most sough-after treatments are
dentistry and orthodontic procedures, plastic surgery and other
aesthetic procedures. Additionally, “Costa Rica provides the great
advantage that there are already hotels specializing in the attention
of patient post-operation, which undoubtedly provides for better
chances of a quick and complete recovery,” Vargas said. “Together with
the travel component and the excellent prices, these factors
differentiate the country and allow us to have a competitive advantages
over other nations (offering similar services).”
dentistry and orthodontic procedures, plastic surgery and other
aesthetic procedures. Additionally, “Costa Rica provides the great
advantage that there are already hotels specializing in the attention
of patient post-operation, which undoubtedly provides for better
chances of a quick and complete recovery,” Vargas said. “Together with
the travel component and the excellent prices, these factors
differentiate the country and allow us to have a competitive advantages
over other nations (offering similar services).”
The head of CANATUR indicated Costa Rica is a privileged country,
where many different options can be exploited to attract tourists and
cover well the different niches of the travel market. He added that the
National Tourism Development Plan 2002-2012 has set a goal of
attracting 2.3 million foreign visitors and 1.6 million domestic
tourists on a yearly average basis, reason why it’s essential that the
different types of tourism activities be executed in a sustainable and
environmentally harmonious manner.
where many different options can be exploited to attract tourists and
cover well the different niches of the travel market. He added that the
National Tourism Development Plan 2002-2012 has set a goal of
attracting 2.3 million foreign visitors and 1.6 million domestic
tourists on a yearly average basis, reason why it’s essential that the
different types of tourism activities be executed in a sustainable and
environmentally harmonious manner.
1 comment:
Se están viviendo tiempos difícles a nivel mundial, no hay duda, no obstante no debemos de dejar de ver el gran atenuante que el turismo representa para la economía y sociedad costarricenses. Este fruto de la tenacidad, visión, fé y buena volunntad de el costarricense en conjunción con un sector inversionista extranjero bien intencionado y con deseos de hacer de Costa Rica una motor de desarrollo en la región van a ser verdaderas bendiciones para enfrentar los tiempos difíciles que se pudieran presentar en un corto plazo. Dios mediante con esfuerzo, fe y solidaridad saldremos adelante.Ánimo ticos y visitantes! Salgamos adelante con ingenio. visión y austeridad.
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