Local news and opinion reaching the communities of nosara, samarA and Nicoya
Log in |
Return to homepage
home regional community sports entertainment surf nature health en Espa�ol English
     
Archives
December 09
January 2010
February 2010
Water Edition
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 10
October 10
November 10
December 10
January 2011
February 2011
March 2011
April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 11
October 11
November 11
December 11
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
August 2012
September 12
October 12
November 12
December 12
January 13
February 13
March 13
April 13
May 13
 
Media
Partners
  El Pais
  Inside Costa Rica
  Costa Spirit
  Q Costa Rica
  Today Costa Rica
  El Sabanero
connect
FaceBook
Twitter
 
CLASSIFIEDS
 
community
  Nosara Animal Care
   
  Nosara Info
   
Esquelita de Nosara
  Friends of Nosara
   
  Nosara Civic Association
  Nosara
Wildlife

Costa Rica is Out to Conquer the Chinese Tourist

By elpais.cr
05/22/13


Photo by Giordano Ciampini

As a source of tourists that has grown exponentially during the past few years, the Chinese market has become an enticing option for Costa Rica, whose government is aiming for a fivefold increase in the number of visitors from the Asian giant in the next three years.

"Almost 10,000 Chinese tourists visited Costa Rica in the past year. We expect that in a medium term, of two or three years, we will reach 50,000 visitors. That takes work, effort and a big investment, but we are prepared to do it," Allan Flores, Costa Rican Minister of Tourism, told Efe News Agency.

Data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) shows that in 2012 world tourism grew by 4% when compared to 2011, reaching 1.035 million international tourists, with China and Russia leading the fastest-growing tourism source markets, with 42% and 31%, respectively.

Minister Flores said the Costa Rican government expects "to catch a good portion of those 80 million Chinese who are traveling" all over the world. To this end, government officials are defining marketing strategies and official agreements.

"China is a key market in terms of international promotion strategies. Therefore, we will sign an Air Transport Agreement with China in June", Flores affirmed.

This agreement will ratify a memorandum of understanding signed between the two governments last August, seeking to provide greater opportunities for large-scale Chinese airlines as well as more direct flight connections.

Another step taken by Costa Rica to become known in the Chinese tourism market was its participation, for the first time, in the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market fair (COTTM Beijing 2013), held in Beijing in April 2013.

"Ten Costa Rican companies attended the fair, following our goal of establishing a strong marketing initiative and of helping the private sector make business connections with their counterparts in the Chinese tourism industry," Flores explained.

Costa Rica plans on participating in next year’s event. 

Costa Rica and China established diplomatic relations in 2007 and have since signed several cooperation agreements in different areas such as politics, economy, sports, culture and energy.
In regards to tourism, the results of this bilateral relationship are yet to be seen.

"These issues progress at a slow pace because this is a new market. We have made additional efforts so that Chinese tourism to Costa Rica increases," Flores declared.

Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), visited Costa Rica this week to participate in a continental workshop on the application of new technologies to promote tourism, emphasizing the importance of China during his visit.

Rifai described China as a "leading performer" in world tourism and urged Latin American tourism representatives to look towards this market as an option to boost tourism growth.

Costa Rica, with a population of 4.5 million people, received 2.34 million tourists in 2012, generating 2.219 million dollars in revenue, both record numbers for the country.

The tourism industry in this Central American nation, which is home to almost 4.5% of the world’s biodiversity and whose main attraction is its natural beauty, employs approximately 150.000 people directly and about 400.000 indirectly.

 

More Regional News

CAIS Assures that Arsenic in Water Is Not the Main Cause of Death in Patients

Dehydration, prolonged exposure to sunlight, low income and hereditary diseases are all factors contributing to why the number of deaths from kidney failure has risen to eight people in the last 15 days in Cañas.

Eight dead in fifteen days in Cañas – could arsenic-contaminated water be to blame?

A 20-year-old woman who lost her two-year battle to live on Friday is the most recent victim of kidney failure in Cañas.

Costa Rica is Out to Conquer the Chinese Tourist

As a source of tourists that has grown exponentially during the past few years, the Chinese market has become an enticing option for Costa Rica, whose government is aiming for a fivefold increase in the number of visitors from the Asian giant in the next three years.

Construction Noise Could be Bad for Business

In Costa Rica, the work day begins earlier than in many countries. Instead of 8 or 9 a.m., workers often get going as early as 6 a.m.

Survey Indicates that More Tourists Seek Luxury

In a recent survey conducted by VON including19 local hotels, results show that tourists arriving are willing to pay more money for nicer hotel rooms. A study conducted by the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH- Cámara Costarricense de Hoteles) confirms VON’s survey by indicating that 4 and 5 stars hotels reported the highest levels of occupancy.

Confronting School Bullies

"I hate school," recalls Carla with pain (not her real name), who was willing to tell us her story but requested that we protect her identity. "I was 13 years old, in seventh grade in high school and all of my classmates made fun of me because of my nationality," she related.

License Holders Pay Muni Up to Three Times More Than Before

Discord and controversy… This is what the new Liquor Law that is still being implemented has brought for the majority of local governments in the country, including the Municipality of Nicoya.

Legislators Approve Coastal Territories Law

By a majority of 45 against one vote, the Legislative Assembly approved the Coastal Territories Law Project 18.148, known as Tecocos, during the first debate on Tuesday, April 30. The law is designed to regulate land tenure, including in the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge.

Pictures and News of the Month

The Voice of Nosara brings you a brief recap of April stories you might have missed

Contact us: NOSARA [email protected] / PUBLICITY and ADVERTISING [email protected]
Copyright 2012© The Voice of Nosara