Costa Rica Tourism Report Q4 2010

Costa Rica receives the majority of their tourist arrivals from the Americas, with the top three source markets for visitors to the country being the US, Nicaragua and Canada. Tourism arrivals, after increasing from 1.72mn in 2006 to 2.15mn in 2008, dipped to 1.93mn in 2009. Arrival numbers are forecast by BMI to pick up in 2010 and grow at an average rate of 8% until the end of our forecast period in 2014. Health tourism also brings visitors to the country and it is an area where Costa Rica can continue to develop its infrastructure to tap further into this growing market. Already known as a destination for medical tourists, Costa Rica is now competing with newer destinations such as Puerto Rico for the millions of Americans, and other nationalities, who travel abroad for medical care.

In the same vein as health tourism, Costa Rica is making retirement communities a priority to keep visitor numbers up. The country is targeting North American pensioners and is doing away with the red tape of residence permits, especially for those in good health. Tax exemptions on real estate and vehicles are also being offered. The campaign is being run by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (Instituto Costarricense de Turismo , ICT). The Ministry of Competitiveness has already identified eight locations for retirement communities, focusing on areas with natural beauty, tourist attractions and in proximity to hospitals. Another tourism draw to Costa Rica is spa and wellbeing vacations. Costa Rica has been recognised by TripAdvisor users as one of the best places in Central and South America to enjoy spa getaways. Some areas that wellbeing tourists are targeting are the hot springs near the Arenal Volcano, the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula (home of yoga retreats) and the back-to-nature settings of the Central Valley region. The planned regeneration of the province of Limón, on the less frequently visited Caribbean coast, has the potential to put upward pressure on inbound tourism numbers. Puerto Limón was once the town of the United Fruit Company (the predecessor of Chiquita Brands International) and the province has two national parks. The parks have the potential to be a large tourism driver, and a tour by Wildland Adventures has already been named one of the 25 Best New Trips for 2010 by National Geographic Adventure magazine. In our view, developing the tourism infrastructure in the region will likely unlock great potential.

Earlier in 2010, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) approved grants of US$1.1mn and US$1.5mn to support two parts of the Mesoamerica Pacific Corridor Project. The corridor runs through seven countries from Mexico to Panama. The Optimisation of Border Crossings Pacific Corridor grant will be used to improve passage over borders and the Adjustment, Maintenance and Operation of the Pacific Corridor grant will improve road infrastructure over 2015-2030. The project aims to develop a quicker route between Mexico and Panama. BMI believes that as well as fostering trade in the region, the development of infrastructure has the potential to increase tourism as travel will be much more feasible.