|
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Food |
|
 The Institute
international arrivals statistics were based on data
provided by the General Directorate of Immigration. /
Costa Rican Tourism Institute courtesy
photo
Arrivals in the country have increased, say specialists |
|
 By the A.M. Costa Rica
staff
The Costa Rican Tourism Institute reported that the number of arrivals in the country during January and February was 499,693 people, which is equivalent to 7.8 percent more than the same period of 2018. The number of people arriving through airports does not necessarily mean that they are tourists since the statistics do not specify how many were tourists how many were Costa Ricans and how many were foreign residents returning to the country. Statistics show that, in January 2019, 248,754 people arrived at the two main international airports, Juan Santamaría* in the province of Alajuela and Daniel Oduber* in the province of Guanacaste. During the same period in 2018, there were 227, 694 arrivals. In February, 250, 939 people arrived in the country topping last year’s total of 235,830 arrivals. María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism, said, "the statistics of international arrivals has big importance for the country. Based on these figures, is planned the promotion of Costa Rica." According to Revelo, the managers of seven European airlines are surprised by the good results on flights they are offering to Costa Rica. "This growing connectivity with Europe, improves our ability to attract best prospects from the old continent," said Revelo. The Institute also reports that in 2006 there was only one flight to Europe. Now the country has eight European destinations, seven direct and one with a stop. |
The Institute international arrivals statistics were based on data provided by the General Directorate of Immigration. The Institute continues to work on creating a more complete index of tourist arrivals. From the new index they will be able to determine the real number of travelers for tourism and work and how many of the travelers are Costa Rica, residents or foreigners. Minister Revelo requested the collaboration of the World Tourism Organization in establishing this index, "to establish the type and form of the new indicators that could be used to measure our tourist activity on the demand side." According to the Central Bank of Costa Rica, in 2016 the tourism industry generated 6.3 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. ----------
What improvements should the Institute make to increase the appeal of the country as a tourist destination? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Link to reach the place. |
      |
