MEET ME IN COSTA RICA
The uniquely rich offerings of Costa Rica's tourism sector make it an increasingly competitive destination for the MICE segment.
Continuing to promote sustainability in tourism and growing less addressed segments of the sector such as meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) tourism remain two of the main priorities of leaders of the tourism industry in Costa Rica. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the convention industry generates roughly USD11 billion across the world every year, with 120,000 delegates.
Visits to the country for business and professional purposes have been consistently increasing over the past five years. According to figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), more than 1.9 million people entered the country in 2015 for leisure purposes, while 419,077 came for business. This figure has been increasing exponentially in recent years thanks to the joint efforts of private associations and organization like the ICT. The total number of tourists in Costa Rica for business and professional purposes in 2013 was 287,385, roughly 11.8% of the total, while the 347,004 business travelers in 2014 accounted for nearly 13.7% of overall tourist arrivals, and the 419,077 business visitors in 2015 represented 15.8% of total arrivals.
Tourists vacationing in Costa Rica spend an average of USD100 a day, while those traveling for meetings and business spend between USD200 and USD450 each day, meaning that every MICE traveler that comes to the country represents the economic equivalent of three leisure tourists on vacation.
Some initiatives, such as the future opening of the new convention center and other similar steps being taken by the government including greater participation in trade fairs and hiring international consultants in the field, should exponentially increase arrival figures within the MICE tourism segment in Costa Rica.
The National Convention Center will be a facility that hosts various types of national and regional events for a variety of different business segments. An environmentally friendly building of 15,600sqm that features the main highlights of the national culture, the National Convention Center will have a maximum capacity of 4,600 people and can be divided into 16 rooms. The estimated cost of the first phase of the project is USD32.3 million, USD23 million of which will come from the ICT, while the remainder will be financed by a loan from the National Bank and the Bank of Costa Rica. Once construction is completed, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute will choose a specialized company to manage and operate the facility.
In keeping with the pura vida way of living and working in Costa Rica, the convention center will feature numerous solar panels on its roof, a state-of-the-art LED lighting system, and a mechanism to collect 25% of rainwater intake, which will be utilized for the building's cooling systems, air conditioners, and various health services.
Despite the already high level of development in Costa Rica's MICE tourism segment, there is potential for greater diversification of offerings. Costa Rica has a successful track record of experiences in organizing, planning, marketing, and even operating of events and conferences. The main incentive travel operators, hotels, and attractions have over two decades of experience successfully implementing top-level events. As a destination, Costa Rica offers a wide range of activities that leverage the country's rich natural assets; visitors can hike one of the more than 28 national parks, climb volcanoes, explore forests, float down the whitewater rapids of a rushing river, or take in the therapeutic effects of natural hot springs. The unique offerings available in Costa Rica combined with the years of success in leveraging these local assets provide the foundation and forward momentum for continued growth and development in the country's MICE tourism segment.
MEET ME IN COSTA RICA
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: REGIONAL INTEGRATION
The Ties that Bind
Though a late partner to some of the regional alliances that are defining Central American integration, Costa Rica has been a strong and outspoken member that will continue to play a critical role in ensuring these pacts unite the region on a sound footing.
read articleGuest Speaker
Tabaré Ramón Vázquez Rosas, President , Oriental Republic of Uruguay
TBY talks to Tabaré Ramón Vázquez Rosas, President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, on the expansion of trade between the two countries and where more potential for further strengthening these connections lies.
read articleInterview
Dennis Whitelaw, President , Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM)
TBY talks to Dennis Whitelaw, President of the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), on some of the successes seen in bilateral business across a number of sectors, and what else AMCHAM can do to help develop sustainable growth.
read articleInterview
Dr. Edgar E. Gutiérrez-Espeleta, Minister, Environment, Energy, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands
TBY talks to Dr. Edgar E. Gutiérrez-Espeleta, Minister of Environment, Energy, Oceans, Coasts and Wetlands, on the highlights of the National Energy Plan and attracting FDI to the sector.
read articleFocus: Highly Skilled Workforce
Ready, steady… go!
Despite being a small country, Costa Rica tops the world in several important categories; it is considered the “greenest" country on the planet, is number one on the World Happiness Index, and has one the most qualified labor forces in the region.
read articleInterview
Marcelo Jenkins Coronas, Minister, Science, Technology and Telecommunications
TBY talks to Marcelo Jenkins Coronas, Minister of Science, Technology and Telecommunications, on enhancing the country's development, the national 2015-2021 plan, and opportunities for foreign investors.
read articleFocus: Green Housing
Green Buildings
The construction sector is one of the key sectors in a country focused on sustainability and carbon neutrality. Green buildings are in the spotlight for current and future real estate developments. A sustainable building is one that achieves a balance of financial, social, and environmental requirements.
read articleInterview
Dr. María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal, Executive President, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS)
TBY talks to Dr. María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal, Executive President of Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), on its initiatives to increase life expectancy in Costa Rica, address long patient waiting lists, and its priorities for the year.
read articleFocus: High Standards in Education
Education First
One of the first countries in the world to provide free public education, Costa Rica has the highest literacy rate in Central America and now competes with the world's most industrialized nations. Since 1970, it has invested 28% of its national budget in education, a percentage unthinkable were the military still in existence.
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