By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

On the eve of his speech at the 74th General Assembly of the United Nations, President Carlos Alvarado along with the First Lady, Claudia Dobles visited the site of the recreation of the rain forest from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute being held at Brookfield Place in New York, U.S.

“Costa Rica is a country that stands out for the nature that abounds within the national borders," said President Alvarado during his visit to the opening of the tourism advertising campaign promoting Costa Rica. "Its flora and fauna and the concentration of 6.5 percent of the world's biodiversity make it unique in the eyes of visitors who enjoy our forests and beaches. Those who live to experience the essential things in life."

According to María Amalia Revelo, Minister of Tourism, the advertising campaign has the goal of promoting the rain forests of Costa Rica.

"Through live images of our country, atmospheric elements, sound effects, lush flora, lighting and wind," the Costa Rican Tourism Institute recreates Costa Rica's humid rain forest for 10 hours at Brookfield Place.

Brookfield Place is a commercial area adjacent to the One World Observatory and has a high-traffic area in the plaza with a daily average of 72,000 visitors.

Inside a bus, there are a series of effects to illustrate the tropical forest which is used to promote Costa Rica as an ideal destination. Access to the presentation will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

On October 1st, the Institute will offer a tasting of Costa Rican coffee in Union Square, distributing 2,500 recyclable cups of coffee free to passersby.

The activities being carried out in New York are part of the campaign launched by the Tourism Institute in the United States and Canada. Entitled "Only the Essentials", the program promotes the idea that Costa Rica can provide experiences that reconnect people with nature.

"The campaign offers an opportunity to connect with nature, well-being, culture, and adventure," said Minister Revelo.


As A.M. Costa Rica reported on Sept 1st, the campaign will last two years.


It will take place in U.S. cities such as New York, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Tampa-Orlando, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas-Houston, Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago. And in Canada, in Toronto, Montreal, and Calgary.

In the U.S. ads will be displayed in public places, buses, taxis, and the subway station in Chicago.

According to the Ministry, the campaign will also be published in online travel agencies, organizations specializing in tourism such as Trip Advisor, the AFAR travel magazine, and the New York Times newspaper, among others.

This international campaign was produced by the international MMGY agency and the local agency Luz Marina, at the request of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, this is the fourth international campaign to promote Costa Rica in North America. The first was called "No Artificial Ingredients" in 1997, followed by "Gift of Happiness," "Save the Americans" and "My Natural Decision."

According to the Tourism Satellite Account of the Central Bank of Costa Rica, the tourism industry contributes 6.3 percent directly and 1.9 percent indirectly to the national economy, adding 8.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Also, 8.8 percent of all jobs in the country come directly from tourism.

From January to June of this year, the country accounted for 1,549,812 tourist arrivals by air, which is the main port of entry for international tourism. Of that total, 65 percent came from the United States and Canada.

President Carlos Alvarado said the tourism industry contributes 8.2 percent of Gross Domestic Product and is the main source of income for thousands of families. "It is an engine of the Costa Rican economy the government wishes to promote to continue generating jobs, growth, and well-being in the country."



---------------------
What motivated you to come to Costa Rica for the first time?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com

---

---

---

---