May 2014
Costa Rica's natural wealth makes it an attendee favorite
Had Christopher Columbus been a naturalist instead of a treasure
hunter for Spain, he would have scored the ultimate prize in the “Rich
Coast,” as he named his discovery of Costa Rica in 1502.
While less abundant in precious metals than Columbus expected, this Eden is the heart of Central America, with coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, is an ecological gold mine.
In fact, within its 31,600 square miles, Costa Rica has 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity—an extraordinary concentration—making this peaceful nation one of the world’s premier adventure and ecotourism destinations. As Costa Rica CVB Executive Director Pablo Solano explains, this is just one facet of the appeal for groups.
“When choosing Costa Rica, you can also be sure that you have selected a destination with experience in successfully organizing, planning, marketing and realizing events,” Solano says. “Along with excellent services and infrastructure and myriad options for groups, we offer exceptional value, especially for meetings organized by U.S. companies. Under IRS rules, Costa Rica is considered part of the ‘North American Area,’ which allows U.S. delegates to deduct event-related expenses as they would back home.”
Investing in the Future
According to Solano, most meetings and conventions business comes from the pharmaceutical, automotive and insurance industries.
“Also active but less frequent are banking, medical, food industry,
industrial products and scientific and conservation groups, along with
universities and sport associations,” he says.
Raising its profile internationally is a strategic priority. Last year, Costa Rica concentrated its promotional and positioning efforts in the MICE arena, participating in five leading industry shows, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX Las Vegas and ICOMEX Mexico.
With tourism rising—Costa Rica expects 2.5 million visitors for 2014, an increase of 5 percent over 2013—the nation continues to bolster its competitive standing in the Central American and global markets with investment in new hotels and MICE facilities.
Central Stage
Bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica currently counts three major MICE zones: Central Valley, North Pacific and Central Pacific. As Costa Rica’s business and administrative center and most populous region, the fertile Central Valley, with the nation’s capital of San Jose at its heart, is the center of congressional action.
With airlift into busy Juan Santamaria International Airport, about 20 minutes west of downtown, historic San Jose is Costa Rica’s largest city. Backed by mountains, this bustling center, established in 1738 and capital since 1823, offers several quality conference hotels close to downtown and the airport.
The largest and most versatile property is the 230-room Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center. The hotel’s International Conference Center offers more than 28,300 square feet of event space.
With other leading properties including the 372-room Real InterContinental San Jose Costa Rica, offering 13 meeting rooms, and the luxurious Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose, with 290 guest rooms, nine suites and more than 11,350 square feet of space, San Jose’s inventory keeps growing. At least seven new hotels opened over the last two years, including a 121-room Hyatt Place and the 172-room Sheraton San Jose.
While less abundant in precious metals than Columbus expected, this Eden is the heart of Central America, with coastlines on the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, is an ecological gold mine.
In fact, within its 31,600 square miles, Costa Rica has 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity—an extraordinary concentration—making this peaceful nation one of the world’s premier adventure and ecotourism destinations. As Costa Rica CVB Executive Director Pablo Solano explains, this is just one facet of the appeal for groups.
“When choosing Costa Rica, you can also be sure that you have selected a destination with experience in successfully organizing, planning, marketing and realizing events,” Solano says. “Along with excellent services and infrastructure and myriad options for groups, we offer exceptional value, especially for meetings organized by U.S. companies. Under IRS rules, Costa Rica is considered part of the ‘North American Area,’ which allows U.S. delegates to deduct event-related expenses as they would back home.”
Investing in the Future
According to Solano, most meetings and conventions business comes from the pharmaceutical, automotive and insurance industries.
Raising its profile internationally is a strategic priority. Last year, Costa Rica concentrated its promotional and positioning efforts in the MICE arena, participating in five leading industry shows, including IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX Las Vegas and ICOMEX Mexico.
With tourism rising—Costa Rica expects 2.5 million visitors for 2014, an increase of 5 percent over 2013—the nation continues to bolster its competitive standing in the Central American and global markets with investment in new hotels and MICE facilities.
Central Stage
Bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the south, Costa Rica currently counts three major MICE zones: Central Valley, North Pacific and Central Pacific. As Costa Rica’s business and administrative center and most populous region, the fertile Central Valley, with the nation’s capital of San Jose at its heart, is the center of congressional action.
With airlift into busy Juan Santamaria International Airport, about 20 minutes west of downtown, historic San Jose is Costa Rica’s largest city. Backed by mountains, this bustling center, established in 1738 and capital since 1823, offers several quality conference hotels close to downtown and the airport.
The largest and most versatile property is the 230-room Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel & Convention Center. The hotel’s International Conference Center offers more than 28,300 square feet of event space.
With other leading properties including the 372-room Real InterContinental San Jose Costa Rica, offering 13 meeting rooms, and the luxurious Costa Rica Marriott Hotel San Jose, with 290 guest rooms, nine suites and more than 11,350 square feet of space, San Jose’s inventory keeps growing. At least seven new hotels opened over the last two years, including a 121-room Hyatt Place and the 172-room Sheraton San Jose.
Renowned for its museums and historic theaters, San Jose is a hotbed
of Costa Rican culture, with standouts such as the National Theatre of
Costa Rica, National Museum of Costa Rica and Museum of Pre-Columbian
Gold.
Certain to elevate Costa Rica’s MICE appeal, construction plans are being finalized for The National Center for Meetings and Conventions of Costa Rica. Targeting a late 2015 opening, the 140,000-square-foot facility will be built about 20 minutes northwest of San Jose.
“With Costa Rica already well positioned for ecotourism, this project will expand our MICE services and offerings and help us compete internationally, while boosting the local economy and taking advantage of our high-quality hotel infrastructure,” Solano says.
As the Central Valley solidifies its MICE prowess, Costa Rica’s other main group destinations are also boosting their appeal.
Natural Exuberance
According to Solano, the North Pacific region, with fast-growing Liberia International Airport as its gateway, is a magnet for incentive groups. The main destination of Guanacaste literally bubbles with ecotourism and adventure opportunities.
Known as Costa Rica’s “sunny side” for its near-uninterrupted sunshine, Guanacaste is renowned for volcanos, hot springs and geysers.
Rich in flora, fauna and folklore, the region’s national parks, ranches, picturesque towns and golden beaches such as Papagayo create a true departure from the ordinary for groups.
Guanacaste’s hotel scene is also thriving. Joining local favorites such as Ocotal Beach Resort and international brands Four Seasons, Hilton, Westin and JW Marriott, the new 153-room Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is one of three openings over the past 18 months. Four more hotels slated for the region include the 447-room Dreams Las Mareas Resort & Spa Hotel, part of the massive Santa Elena Preserve tourism complex.
Around 90 minutes west of San Jose, the Central Pacific region is a haven of palm tree-lined beaches, clear blue waters and roaring rivers. Popular group activities include crocodile tours, sea kayaking, white-water rafting and tours of Tortuga (Turtle) Island.
Along with waterfront choices such as DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Central Pacific and Marriott Los Suenos, the area is home to the spectacular Villa Caletas, a lush and luxurious boutique property perched 1,100 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Long time Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman dreams in Costa Rican eco-green.
Certain to elevate Costa Rica’s MICE appeal, construction plans are being finalized for The National Center for Meetings and Conventions of Costa Rica. Targeting a late 2015 opening, the 140,000-square-foot facility will be built about 20 minutes northwest of San Jose.
“With Costa Rica already well positioned for ecotourism, this project will expand our MICE services and offerings and help us compete internationally, while boosting the local economy and taking advantage of our high-quality hotel infrastructure,” Solano says.
As the Central Valley solidifies its MICE prowess, Costa Rica’s other main group destinations are also boosting their appeal.
Natural Exuberance
According to Solano, the North Pacific region, with fast-growing Liberia International Airport as its gateway, is a magnet for incentive groups. The main destination of Guanacaste literally bubbles with ecotourism and adventure opportunities.
Known as Costa Rica’s “sunny side” for its near-uninterrupted sunshine, Guanacaste is renowned for volcanos, hot springs and geysers.
Rich in flora, fauna and folklore, the region’s national parks, ranches, picturesque towns and golden beaches such as Papagayo create a true departure from the ordinary for groups.
Guanacaste’s hotel scene is also thriving. Joining local favorites such as Ocotal Beach Resort and international brands Four Seasons, Hilton, Westin and JW Marriott, the new 153-room Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is one of three openings over the past 18 months. Four more hotels slated for the region include the 447-room Dreams Las Mareas Resort & Spa Hotel, part of the massive Santa Elena Preserve tourism complex.
Around 90 minutes west of San Jose, the Central Pacific region is a haven of palm tree-lined beaches, clear blue waters and roaring rivers. Popular group activities include crocodile tours, sea kayaking, white-water rafting and tours of Tortuga (Turtle) Island.
Along with waterfront choices such as DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Central Pacific and Marriott Los Suenos, the area is home to the spectacular Villa Caletas, a lush and luxurious boutique property perched 1,100 feet above the Pacific Ocean.
Long time Meetings Focus contributor Jeff Heilman dreams in Costa Rican eco-green.
