Costa Rica Tourism; Quest for Pura Vida & National Convention Center

Finally, the National Convention Center in Costa Rica is being built, which is sure to draw many tourist and business people.

Costa Rica Tourism is back on the rise after a relatively flat 2010. Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) reports that total number of visitors is up 7% or 45,000 more visitors in the first quarter of 2011.

This is great news for tourism and there are even bigger changes on the horizon. Tourism is Costa Ricas’ number one industry and if the size and scope of many projects and initiatives on the table is any indication, this sector appears to be maturing rapidly.

After 20 years of anticipation, the first large National Convention Center will become a reality thanks to an initiative headed by ICT with the support of  Costa Rica’s President, Laura Chinchilla.

Under ACOPROT   (Costa Rican Association of Professionals In Tourism)  guidelines, two key agreements were signed to make this project a reality.

One of these documents, the agreement between the ICT and the Comprehensive Agricultural Marketing Program (PIMA in Spanish), which grants the ICT possession of and full administration of 25 acres of the land reserved by PIMA to build the National Convention and Fair Center that will be used, among other things, for conventions, fairs, meeting, concerts, and expositions. There will also be potable water available, as well as a residual water treatment plant, parks, and parking. This agreement was signed by the Tourism Minister, Allan Flores, the Agriculture and Livestock Minister, Gloria Abraham, and the Minister to the Presidency, Carlos Ricardo Benavides.

“This is the start of building first class infrastructure for Costa Rican tourism. The ultimate goal will be to be able to compete internationally for adventure and ecological tourism markets, among others, and we hope to develop a new market to attract more and new tourists, generating employment and economic benefits in the country throughout the year because conferences and conventions will continue through the low season,” said Flores.

This project is expected to generate over 175,000 Hotel stays per year.

In other tourism related news Costa Rica was voted number three in the world for national ecology according to the digital magazine, Eroski Consumer, ranking third as one of the most ecological countries in the world. This release is based on studies by the Colombia and Yale universities in the United States and ultimately based on the Environmental Performance Index.

Lastly the Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) will air Adventures with a Purpose – Costa Rica: Quest for Pura Vida, as part of their innovative marketing strategies. This makes Costa Rica the only country in Central America to be promoted on this prestigious television show. Host Richard Bangs has returned to Costa Rica many times claiming a sense of peacefulness and well being unlike anywhere on earth.

You can view a trailer of the documentary at:  Costa Rica – Quest for Pura Vida

With so much positive news it is not surprising that tourism is a growth industry in Costa Rica. But seeing is believing. I have been coming to this country since 1978 and decided to move here for good five years ago. My family and I have never looked back. I now visit the states, but am always happy to ‘come home’. We encourage you to come and see for yourself why Costa Rica is truly a special place.

Article by Rebecca Clower of Blue Water Properties

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