 The Costa Rica booth at the Tourism Institute at the Spain International Tourism Fair, Fitur, was recognized as the best presentation in the Sustainable Tourism category. - Tourism Institute photo -  |
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Published Tuesday,
May 25, 2021
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The Costa Rica booth at the Tourism Institute at the Spain International Tourism Fair, Fitur, was recognized as the best presentation in the Sustainable Tourism category. The 200-square-meter stand was made of recycled material from previous fair booths. Plus, it used QR codes to provide tourism information instead of printed information. This sustainable idea saves on paper and electrical energy. They also maintained sanitary protocols, according to the institute. "This award undoubtedly reflects the values of our country, based on sustainability and high commitment to the principles of decarbonization and respect for the environment, culture, sustainable gastronomy and application of health guidelines against covid-19," Gustavo Segura, Minister of Tourism said. During the fair, the institute presented a video for promoting the Esencial Costa Rica brand highlighting the country’s biodiversity. The short film can be seen on AM Costa Rica's YouTube channel. After 14 months of the pandemic, Fitur is the first tourism fair with in-person presentations. Representatives from 16 Costa Rican tourism companies are promoting their services to attract Spanish tourists. Fitur is classified as one of the most important business events of the tourism industry with the presence of 165 countries from the five continents, according to the institute. This is the first tourism fair in which Costa Rican companies are participating in person since the pandemic began over a year ago. The country’s latest presentations were at the WTM tourism fair in London in November 2020 and the ITB tourism fair in Germany, in March. Both were virtual.  The companies that sent representatives to Spain to participate in the fair are: Best of Costa Rica Tour Operator, Hotel Radisson San José, Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Reserva Conchal, Costa Rica Marriot Hacienda Belén, Il Viaggio Travel, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, Travel Excellence, Swiss travel, ANC Group, Cast Central America, Hotel Parador Resort & Spa, Hotel San Bada, Hotel Fiesta Resort, Costa Rica Top Tours, Cactus Tour DMC Central America and Costa Rica Sun Tours. "This fair helps Costa Rica be present in the minds of potential Spanish and European tourists," Segura said. He traveled to Madrid to participate in person at the fair where, in addition to attending meetings, he has been giving interviews to the press, the institute said. In the past, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands were the main countries generating tourists to Costa Rica from Europe. According to data from the institute, before the pandemic, more than 500,000 Europeans visited the country in one year. During the first four months of this year, from January to April, about 50,000 European tourists arrived in the country by air. Tourism authorities did not provide yet information on the budget used by the institute to participate in the fair. -------------------------- What fair should the institute participate in next to boost tourism? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com             |
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