 Even though a massive influx of international tourists is not expected, the government depends on local tourism, as Costa Ricans and foreign residents to reactivate the tourism sector. / A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo |
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 Published Friday, July 24, 2020 Government
bets on locals
for tourism reactivation By the A.M.
Costa Rica staff
Even though a massive influx of international tourists is not expected, the government depends on local tourism, as Costa Ricans and foreign residents to reactivate the tourism sector. On Thursday, the government announced a short list of flights allowed to arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport as for August 1. Listed are countries in the European Union, from places such as Frankfurt, Germany and Madrid, Spain. The full details on international flights authorized are explained in an article published in A.M. Costa Rica on July 24, “Government leaves the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Australia out for reopening of international flights.” The reopening does not include the arrival of flights from any airport in the United States, Latin America or another country. However, "flights from the U.K. and Canada could be allowed in the coming months," the Health Ministry said in its statement. The newly-appointed Minister of Tourism, Gustavo Segura, announced the plan for reactivating the tourism sector, among the most important strategies: • Visiting hours on the beaches located in Yellow Alert zones will be extended from 5 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Surfing is allowed. • Tours with outdoor activities will also be permitted, such as: hiking, trekking, canopy, raft rides, water activities and aerial activities. • Launching the Vamos a Turistear campaign, which in English could be translated as Let's go travel. The campaign has the goal of guaranteeing safe travel for local tourists, who represent 20% of the country's total tourism. • Offer promos and discounts to tourists, through the institute's website vamosaturistear.com. Among the promotions, people can find discounts of at least 25% off hotel rates and tourist activities. • Local banks are to offer tourist discounts with card payments. As well as offer loans to tour operators. To monitor compliance with sanitary measures, the Tourism Institute created the Covid-19 Institutional Protocol Verification Brigade, which are specialists overseeing that tour operators and their clients comply with sanitary guidelines. ---------------------- What other strategies should authorities use to reactivate the tourism sector? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com |
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