Costa Rica To Double
Promotion In The U.S. To
Offset Possible
Recession
Costa Rica will double
its investment in
promoting the country in
the United States,
reaching us$14 million
dollars this year, to
offset a possible
economic recession in
the country that
represents a little over
half of all tourism in
Costa Rica.
The ministro de Turismo
(Tourism minister),
Carlos Benavides, said
that the idea is to
promote Costa Rica as an
exotic destination,
close to the United
States and not as
expensive as other
destinations.
In 2007, the Instituto
Costarricense de Turismo
(ICT) spent us$7 million
dollars in the United
States promoting Costa
Rican tourism, which
resulted in 54% of the
1.9 million tourists
that visited Costa Rica.
The promotional campaign
will be by way of the
internet and using
public relations
agencies in New York,
said Benavides.
Although the efforts are
to double the U.S.
promotion, Costa Rica
will also, as part of
its 2008 strategy, focus
promotions in other
markets like Europe and
China.
Costa Rican tourism
officials hope to see a
growth in visitors from
countries like Russia,
France, Switzerland and
Costa Rica's newest
trading partner, China.
ICT officials believe
that tourism will grow
by 7% this year, less
than the growth of 10.5%
in 2007. But, that will
greatly depend on what
happens with the U.S.
economy.
|
|
