Bird-watching tourism promoted in Spain

Published Monday, March 2,2020

Bird-watching tourism promoted in Spain

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

This weekend the Tourism Institute participated in the 15th edition of the FIO 2020 International Ornithological Tourism Fair that took place in the City of Extremadura, Spain.

According to the institute, the sample of some of the 924 species of birds that Costa Rica possesses will be the focus of the attention of this European fair.

This fair receives exhibitors and visitors from all over the world aimed at the bird watchers segment of the European market, said the institute.

“The geographical position, the presence of two coasts, the mountainous areas, the microclimates, altitudinal floors and areas of life of ample natural wealth, as well as the multiple ecosystems, allow the ideal natural conditions for the existence of a bird of great diversity with more than 900 species grouped into 89 different families, with 220 to migratory species," said Rafael Soto, a specialist at the institute.

According to Soto, Costa Rica is considered by experts as one of the most important observation destinations in the world.

According to data provided by the institute, it is estimated that the fair receives between 2,500 to 3,000 experts in bird watching.

In the fair there were different activities such as presentations of the participants, the exhibition of photographs and sale of equipment for bird watching, among others.

According to the organizers during the weekend the visit of a more specialized public is expected: ornithologists and bird and nature photographers.

Among the attractions offered at the stand of the institute, the storyteller and author Rodolfo González, is presenting the story of his book “The Blackbird that migrated,” as well as, speaking about the actions of our country to protect the environment.

According to the institute, Spain is the fourth most important European market for Costa Rica. In 2019, more than 62,000 Spaniards arrived by air.

With respect to the bird-watching tourists, the majority are men, with ages between 36 and 50 years. Tourists spend an average of $3,221 for an average of 18 nights in Costa Rica.

The bird-watching tourism strategy so-called National Bird Route started since 2016. The institute announced the participation in upcoming bird watching fairs at Birdfair in Rutland, England, in August and at the Naturcyl Ecotourism Fair in Castilla, Spain, in September.

Related to tourism industry in Costa Rica, in February the government through the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, CINDE, said that the country has been recognized as the second-best destination for foreign investment in tourism.

"Having 6.5% of the world's biodiversity amazes more than one from the moment you set foot on Costa Rican soil," CINDE said in its statement. "Precisely, natural resources are one of the aspects that most impressed the jury that evaluated Costa Rica among 51 countries, ranking it as the second-best global destination for attracting foreign direct investment in tourism, preceded only by Australia."

According to CINDE, the results come from the most recent ranking published in “The tourist destinations of the future of FDI 2019-2020” of the FDI Intelligence magazine of the Financial Times. The rankings were published in the December-January edition.

The evaluation also recognizes Costa Rica's sustainability practices, training schemes, as well as the work of the Costa Rican investment promotion agency, to attract investment to the country.

Costa Rica also stands out in the specialization and customized awards, a series of awards in different categories.

The country shines in nine of the categories: activity tourism, wildlife, connectivity, education and training, incentives, hotel development and investment, accelerated growth, sustainability, incentive tourism, conferences and exhibitions.

"Those who visit Costa Rica can enjoy horse riding, river rafting and parachuting," the magazine said in its activity tourism review. "They can also cross the forests through the Monteverde suspension bridges and the cable car."

“We are honored to recognize that the country has been making coordinated and efficient efforts to promote itself as a suitable destination for foreign tourism investment with respect to the authenticity, values and cultural tradition of cultural traditions,” said María Amalia Revelo, minister of Tourism.

According to Jorge Sequeira, of CINDE, recognition reinforces the image of Costa Rica.

Regarding the education and training category, the ranking noted that CINDE works closely with academics and communities to develop talent. "The agency develops working groups and forums to identify gaps in the market, helps foster academic alliances between local and international universities and drives the creation of personalized training programs."

In the category of incentive tourism, conferences and exhibitions, Costa Rica shares this recognition together with The Ukraine and Colombia.

The publication highlights the construction of the Costa Rica Convention Center, which has been operating since 2018, with an investment of $35 million and that "boosts the country's competitiveness as an international destination for business tourism."

The sustainability award highlights the work of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute, through sustainability certification, which distinguishes the work of companies in this field.

In February of last year, the institute signed an agreement with CINDE as part of a five-year strategy for the search and promotion of tourism infrastructure investment projects, which include hotels, entertainment, corporate sites, thematic or sports properties, and port or airport infrastructure supporting the tourism sector, the agency said in its statement.

The FDI Intelligence ranking methodology was measured based on data from 51 destinations, with statistics from the FDI Benchmark and FDI Markets instruments. The 51 sites were required to have a minimum Gross Domestic Product of 10% generated by tourism and countries with at least 10% tourism projects.

According to CINDE, the ranking also used data from the U. N. World Tourism Organization.

The complete tourism location ranking can be reached at FDI site.

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What another type of tourism should the institute promote? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com