Mid Year School Break
Approaching, High
Gasoline Prices May Have
Negative Impact On Hotel
And Tour Industry
Notwithstanding the high
cost of living and high
price of gasoline, some
150.000 Costa Ricans are
getting ready for the
mid year school break
vacation.
The mid year school
break begins on July 7,
when students leave the
classroom and schoolwork
behind for two weeks,
returning to classes on
July 21.
The mid year school
break is a tradition for
Costa Ricans to head for
the beaches and resorts.
However, this year, with
the cost of a litre of
super, gasoline at ¢656,
regular ¢655 and diesel
¢622, many say that they
will not go too far this
year.
According to the Cámara
Nacional de Turismo (Canatur),
some 150.000 are
expected to vacation in
their country, which
will mean a boom for
beach and mountain
hotels, especially the
areas of Jacóm La
Fortuna, Monteverde and
Puntarenas, all within
two hours driving
distance of San José.
Tony Benavides, director
of the Cámara
Costarricense de Hoteles
(hotel chamber),
however, feels that the
high price of gasoline
will have a negative
impact on hotels as
vacationers will stay
closer to home this year
and that hotel operators
will be banking more on
foreign tourists.
The mid year school
break traditionally has
meant higher prices at
hotels and little
vacancy. However, this
year the situation may
be totally different.
The Instituto
Costarricense de Turismo
(ICT) has been
evaluating some of the
deals being offered to
nationals, like Banco
Nacional discount of
between 20% and 35% at
hotels and tours if paid
with one of their credit
card products. During
the coming week many
deals are expected to be
published in the local
print media.
For some, however, the
mid year vacation means
work or stay at home, as
some cannot take time
from work and others
travel will all depend
on their budget.
According to Benavides,
hotels report a 10% drop
in business during the
first quarter of the
year and all due to high
gasoline costs. "If
gasoline prices continue
to rise and the roads
continue to be in poor
condition, many Ticos
will decide to stay
home", said Benavides.
For the ministro de
Turismo, Carlos
Benavides, he insists
that there is no
official report saying
such and that hotel and
tour operators should
take into account the
"mood" of the country
when setting their rates
and discounts.
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