Costa Rica will continue playing a role in the Executive Council of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) after being elected as a head member, for one year, in the 18th General Assembly that took place in Astana, the capital of the ex-Soviet Republic of Kazakhstan.

The Minister of Tourism, Allan Flores Moya, pointed out that “the election of Costa Rica under the guise of the Executive Council of the WTO represents an important achievement to our country because of our recognized efforts in sustainability and leadership that we’ve had in the region, primarily for our position as a destination spot and for having developed responsible tourism.”

To be re-elected, Costa Rica had the acclaimed support of representatives from Iran, Spain, Morocco, Brazil, Italy, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, South Africa, El Salvador, Romania, Ghana, and France who were all in favor of Costa Rica continuing in the presidency.

Our country will share the presidency with vice-presidents from Kenya and Italy.

“This distinction allows us to continue promoting conservation, protection, and appropriate use of natural resources as well as promoting tourist activities through policies that fight poverty in developing countries and that result in a better distribution of wealth among its citizens’” said Minister Flores.

The World Tourism Organization is an offshoot of the United Nations that was created in 1975. Its headquarters is in Madrid, Spain. Its fundamental objective is to promote tourism all the while contributing to economic development, international understanding, peace, prosperity, universal respect for and observance of human rights as well as fundamental liberties for all regardless of race, sex, language, or religion.

The Executive Council of the WTO has as a mission to adopt, along with the General Secretariat, all the necessary measures to comply with the decisions and resolutions of the General Assembly.

The 18th General Assembly, which concludes tomorrow, besides electing the Executive Council members, will hold regional commission meetings, technical meetings from Budget and Finance, as well as a general meeting for all affiliated members.

The next WTO General Assembly will be held in Korea, in 2010.

With the arrival of the Island Princess to Puntarenas this morning, Costa Rica officially begins the cruise line 2009-2010 season.

With a capacity for 1947 guests and 877 crew members, the 91,000 ton, and almost 900ft. long vessel, arrived under the command of Captain Rodger Bilton, from San Francisco, California.

After docking in Puntarenas, it will continue on to Puerto Amador in Panama.

Upon their arrival, guests were received by the mayor of Puntarenas, Agnes Gómez, and participated in a ceremony on the dock. Captain Bilton, along with three passengers, one of them a Costa Rican, stepped off the vessel for this event.

It is estimated that the number of cruise ships arriving this season will be more than the 238 vessels that arrived last season. It is also estimated that the Pacific alone will see around 122 cruise ships.

On the Pacific coast, the vessels will continue to arrive until May 15, 2010 while on the Caribbean side, vessels will arrive until the end of April, 2010.

Cruise lines that will arrive to Costa Rica this season include: Carnival Corporation, Holland America Line (including Windstar Cruises, subsidiary of Holland America Line and pioneer of luxury sail boats), Cunard Line, Seabourn, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Hapag Lloyd, Fred Olsen, Sea Princess, Norwegian Pearl, Infinity, Serenade of the Seas, Millennium, Mercury and Coral Princess.

It is hoped that the country will take in revenues this cruise line season beyond what was taken in last year when 319,705 passengers on 238 cruise ships (103 to the Pacific and 135 to the Caribbean) arrived.


COSTA RICA CRUISE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (ACIC in Spanish)

Something new for this cruise line season is the creation of the Costa Rica Cruise Industry Association (CCIA). This organization was created last August and is made up of the key cruise line affiliates in Costa Rica such as the port authorities, tour operators, and tourism service operators.

The main objectives of the ACIC will be to consolidate the association and look to improve procedures for vessel operations, and services and passengers in coordination with government authorities and affiliates. It also seeks to bring together operators and cruise service providers that transport passengers for tourist and recreational endeavors. All of this will be done in order to take effective action in guaranteeing the smooth arrival of cruise ships and port operations.

In addition, the 11 members of the ACIC plan to promote tourist activity development of all kinds in various areas, including local communities, for when tourists arrive via cruise ships.

The ACIC will also establish financing and means of support for activity development in order to meet the needs and interests of various user groups, in the public as well as the private sector.

The president of the Republic, Oscar Arias Sánchez and the Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides, declared the “Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race” in Costa Rica, a “national interest” by means of an executive decree, as well as any activities and issues related to it. It is the third most important race in the world.

“All activities and issues related with the arrival of the “Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race” to Costa Rica were declared public and national interests because of their capacity to contribute to the development of Limón,” states the executive decree signed on August 26th released in the official daily newspaper La Gaceta.

The decree “facilitates and authorizes institutions in the public and private sector, within the respective legal framework, to contribute any kinds of resources or collaboration to activities and iniciatives related to the arrival of the Transat Jacques Vabre Yacht Race to Costa Rica.”

The race provides many opportunities to promote the city, in addition to providing space for improving port installations as well as maintenance and beautification of the city. It will also be part of state efforts to boost, develop, and promote tourism in Limón. These are some reasons for the decree.

The decree also reminds us that “it will encourage production chains and synergy among the businessmen in the region, and attract direct national and foreign investment. It will also boost the use of resources and national raw materials and products. In addition, it will create direct and indirect employment, increase tourism demand and other opportunities that can be turned into an important source of development and give the province of Limón international significance.”

The decree also highlights that the ninth Transat event “provides an opportunity to promote tourist wonders as well as investment opportunity in the area before the eyes of the international public who will be closely watching this event.” In addition, “it will provide many opportunities to promote the city and provide space to improve its port installations, as well as maintenance and beautification of the city.”

The ninth edition of this yacht race, which will leave Le Havre port in France November 8th, 2009, will see some 70 participants (two crews per vessel) from 8 different countries. It will also be seen by approximately 270 thousand spectators at the starting line.

The Transat course is some 5,000 miles (9,300 km) long and occurs every two years. It is the third most important yacht race in the world after Vendée Globe and the Route du Rhum. It is also the fifth international sports event held in France after the World Cup, Roland Garros, the Tour de France, and Rugby World Cup.

The Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides signed today, Monday, an agreement on tourism promotion with TACA International Airlines, S.A., as a member of the American Continent Airline Alliance (Taca Group), in order to promote the Central American region as a multi-destination tourism spot for markets in Asia and Europe. Together they are joining forces to promote, “CENTRAL AMERICA, so small…yet so big…” in the Asian and European markets.

The agreement, which will last for one calendar year, was endorsed by Minister Benavides, as president of the Central American Tourism Agency (CATA in Spanish), and Fernando Naranjo, president of TACA Costa Rica.

During the ceremony, the minister pointed out the commitment of the signing parties to promote interregional tourism, along with the support of the public and private sector.

“With the signing of this agreement, we reinforce the important role of regional efforts and the joint organization of events such as training seminars, international fairs, and the arrival of wholesale retailers and journalists to the region. This provides us with important and ample resources to strengthen our efforts in attracting more tourists,” said Benavides.

“It is also very important for our country to hold the presidency pro tempore of the Central American Tourism Agency in order to encourage and develop training activities related to sustainability and climate change, as well as search for more cooperation among countries, which would benefit all parties involved,” explained the tourism minister.

CATA is a tourism promotion agency, created in Costa Rica by presidential mandate of the 7 Central American governments during the 22nd meeting of presidents and Central American chiefs of state in 2002. The agency is in charge of proposing, leading, evaluating, and executing promotional policies and strategies in Central America as a tourism destination, and combining one or more countries as a multi-destination attraction, as well as promoting and spreading the image of Central America in terms of a tourism product within the policies outlined by the Central American Tourism Board (CCT in Spanish).

After signing the document, both parties vowed to promote and strengthen tourism initiatives by means of economic and promotional incentives geared toward making Central America an ideal tourist destination.

“It is very important for TACA to continue participating and working with the CATA initiatives, with efforts that invigorate the tourism sector thereby fomenting tourism in our region,” stated Fernando Naranjo.

As part of the agreement, CATA will grant logistical and marketing support and will organize educational seminars along with TACA in important markets.

They will be the link to organizing and following up on the CENTRAL AMERICA, so small, yet so big campaign, as well as coordinating promotional events together with the private and public sectors within Central America.

TACA will also participate in the European fairs where Central America has a stand; a TACA brochure will be included in mailings to wholesalers, travel agencies and/or journalists in the Asian and European markets and educational seminars will be organized with TACA in the main markets. CATA will provide a web link to TACA’s website on its page.

TACA, on its part, along with a $500,000 contribution, will provide special rates to promote different routes and destinations in Central America, as well as for wholesalers from Europe and Asia. They will carry out business and marketing efforts during the Travel Market (CATM) Central America Fair and other fairs and organized campaigns in Europe and Asia, along with family trips for travel agencies on those same continents.

The Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, inaugurated the remodeling of the Abelardo Lobo park, which has an estimated value of 52 million colons, as part of the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s efforts to select and help rebuild tourist public works as well as promote the construction and maintenance of recreational areas for tourists.

Others who participated in the event were Urías Ugalde, Executive President of the Costa Rica Institute for Pacific Ports (INCOP in Spanish) and the acting mayor of Puntarenas, Juan Luis Bolaños Alvarado.

During the event, those from ICT and INCOP, formally handed over park restoration efforts to the City of Puntarenas, who, as of today, will be in charge of maintenance, security, and payment of services to keep works in top conditions.

New curbs and cobblestone walkways were constructed in the park on islet No. 2. A color concrete floor was installed along with a sprinkler system, thirteen ground lights and three light posts, thirteen single benches and seven double benches, six trash cans, and street lights on islets No.1 and 3. A new lawn was also installed and landscaped on the main island in the park.

Minister Benavides, during his trip, placed the first stone at the Marañonal Park, in Esparza, as well as the public services unit in Puntarenas. Benavides also did an inspection of the efforts made in Obando Chan Park in Chacarita and the facilities of what will be the future ICT Regional office in Puntarenas. All work is meant to develop local tourism. Construction on the Marañonal Park and public bathrooms in Paseo de los Turistas is estimated to begin next week.

This construction, estimated to be $5 million, is included in the finances shared between INCOP-ICT-BNCR (Costa Rica Pacific Ports Institute-Costa Rica Tourism Board- Banco Nacional de Costa Rica). Puntarenas, Esparza, Montes de Oro, Arguirre, Garabito, Quepos, and Parrita will benefit from these new projects.

Minister Benavides highlighted that “Each one of these construction efforts represents our commitment to keep public tourist spots in top condition.” He also added that “these areas must be respected and cared for since they belong to the people of Puntarenas and to the tourists that visit Paseo de los Turistas, respecting traditions while on the road to progress.”

“The city of Puntarenas will have, as of now, the commitment and responsibility to keep this beloved park in top condition,” stated Benavides.

During the event yesterday, a public agreement was signed between INCOP and the City of Puntarenas in which the tourism minister signed as honorary witness and handed over, on behalf of the General Manager of INCOP, Withman Cruz, a check for $35 million to Alejandra Ordóñez, President of the City of Puntarenas.

With this economic investment, the ICT, as an added beneficiary to the trust, will continue to manage project recommendation and facilitating construction work through cooperation agreements with INCOP and other institutions.

The main character of the “Lost” series, Jorge García, along with Diego Mauricio Toro from Colombia, and Glaucia Dotti from Brazil, winners of the “Your ‘Lost’ Theory” competition, held a press conference for national and international journalists in La Fortuna de San Carlos.

García, who visited Costa Rica for the first time, answered questions from the media and the winners about the series, the last season, and his participation in it, as well as his personal life and the impact that being an actor on the “Lost” series has had on him personally.

The actor also made reference to the many possible theories that have come up from around the world regarding the series and that, according to him, “even university level projects” have come in. García also shared with those present that his participation in the series has radically changed his life, so much that since being part of the cast, he has moved from California to Hawaii, where the television program has been shot for the last six seasons.

The Chilean-born actor put his Spanish to use and talked about the different circumstances that the actors of the series “face on a daily basis, taping the episodes due to last minute changes in locations and the challenges they share filming the different scenes.”

“I want to enjoy all the variety and natural beauty of Costa Rica, and I would like to see the different animals species that exist in Costa Rica,” said García amidst the insect and animal noises that surround his bungalow, where he held the press conference.

The winners, who traveled to our country to enjoy the “Lost” experience for 4 days and 3 nights, all expenses paid, in San Carlos, expressed their delight in winning this prize and being able to take advantage of this opportunity to see different areas of the country, along with their partners.

The contest consisted of “Lost” fans submitting a video of their explanation of what happened on the island to AXN’s website, AXN being the channel that broadcasts the series in all of Latin America. Afterwards, television viewers voted on the videos and the video with the highest number of votes, produced by Diego and some friends, was the winner.

The Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides signed an agreement today with four municipalities in the southern zone in order to join efforts of both the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) and local municipalities to regulate tourism and develop local communities.

The ICT started this initiative and plans to include all 81 districts within the country.
It seeks to establish a cooperation network and technical assistance thereby promoting tourism within the local municipalities. The contributions of field research favor the local governments within the Jorge Manuel Dengo Obregón National Development Plan 2006-2010, due to the participation of the tourist sector in this area.

The municipalities to sign this afternoon were: Golfito, Buenos Aires, Pérez Zeledón, and Aguirre.


Therefore, the Institute is strengthening alliances by means of signing these agreements to stimulate tourism. It looks to develop tourism in these municipalities all under the umbrella of sustainable tourism. It also takes into account national landmarks, social and natural, respecting the environment as a tool to improve work opportunities, and the population’s quality of life.

It is important to highlight the importance of the municipality’s role in identifying, regulating, and classifying tourism components, both at a heritage level as well as a products and services level. According to the agreements, the municipalities will develop evaluation and monitoring mechanisms, as well as development plans and programs that will include environmental protection as a key component of tourism development in the country as a tourist destination.

Those that participated in the event along with Minister Benavides were: the ICT General Manager, Allan Flores, Representatives Olivier Jiménez and Jorge Eduardo Sánchez, as well as mayors from local districts that signed the agreements, key officials, representatives, and local business owners in the tourist sector.

“The idea behind this effort by both the ICT and the local municipalities, together with the signing of the agreements is to develop the local districts involved in the initiative,” related Minister Benavides this afternoon.

The Tourism Minister highlighted during the event the importance of the role of the institutions and businesses involved in continuing to contribute to local development and follow up that must be given to projects set up by the municipalities. “Golfito must set up very soon a terminal especially for nautical tourism, offering clients the best service available. Golfito must take advantage of its proximity to the ocean and the development of these riches; therefore, a marina in Golfito is imperative.”

Among the top initiatives and programs of the participating municipalities are: regulation programs and development of new tourist products and services, the broadening and modernization of the tourist base, sales and marketing, training of Human Resource personnel, conservation of natural and socio-cultural resources, as well as tourist information.

The agreements signed today by the ICT and the local municipalities also seek to develop a training program for local technicians in order to learn how to manage evaluation tools, classification methodologies, and tourist product inventory. The ICT will be in charge of supervising this field work and analyzing the results, along with the Development Department, and the Tourism Management Department. They will also be in charge of validating the results.

This afternoon, the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, inaugurated the “Northern Caribbean” Regional Office in Guápiles, Pococí, as a branch of the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), which will broaden the reach of its services and stimulate tourism that is already brimming over in the Northern Caribbean. Its installation will also make services more accessible to businessmen and locals in the region.

Those in attendance along with Benavides were: Representative Jorge Mendéz, ICT Manager Allan Flores, Gustavo Alvarado and Juan Carlos Borbón, as well as top officials, representatives and local business owners in the tourist sector.

With its regional office openings and in order to fulfill its goals and strategies within the National Plan for Sustainable Tourism Development 2002-2012, the Costa Rica Tourism Board is seeking to expand its institutional capabilities. This is being done in order to improve its management processes, information gathering and other requirements.
Representative Méndez pointed out the value of this government effort on “providing support in the Middle Caribbean and placing importance on an area with significant tourist potential.”

Office’s Endeavors
The new branch will work together with the General Land Plan and its implementation of planning and regulation processes to contribute to sustainable tourism. It will also act as an extension of the Help window, which was set up a few years ago in the ICT’s central office.
In addition to offering information to tourism businesses and local and international tourists by distributing promotional material, the office will receive suggestions and complaints regarding goods and services received from tourism businesses. Its other functions will consist of promoting institutional programs to improve competition like the Tourism Declarations, Certificate of Sustainable Tourism, the Blue Flag program, and establishing more efficient coordination with municipalities. It will also improve relations with local and regional tourism boards, tourism businesses, and regional public institutions, among others.

During the event, the Tourism Minister highlighted the importance of ICT’s efforts, particularly regarding its economic investment in opening its regional offices throughout the country where more than $1 million has been invested in each branch, stating “these will be very useful for those with tourism needs in every one of the country’s key regions.”

“The Northern Caribbean is an area with very important tourism potential, which makes it necessary to install a branch there, offering customers essential facilities with qualified personnel to meet those needs,” said Minister Benavides.

This recent addition makes 5 total regional branches available throughout the country. The ICT hopes to add, during the second half of the year, offices in the Southern Caribbean and the Southern Pacific.

Business hours for the new ICT regional office are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is located in the Línea Vieja Commercial Center in front of the BAC branch in downtown Guápiles. To ask about services call 2710-7516 or 2711-0098, or by email at ictguapiles@ict.go.cr

The Costa Rica Surfing Federation (FSC in Spanish) along with the support of the City of Garabito and the International Surfing Association (ISA), sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, Billabong, and the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), will hold the Billabong World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009, in Costa Rica, a first-time event for the country.

The competition will kick off next Friday, July 31st and will conclude August 9th at Hermosa Beach in Jacó, in front of the Hotel Terrazas del Pacífico. It is an ideal point to hold the championship during one of the best months when the waves are most consistent. Some 40 countries will participate in the event and it will be watched live by some 80 millions viewers around the world. Costa Rica beat out other countries like Brazil and South Africa, among other hopefuls, to host the most well-known event of this kind in the world.

The event will kick off with a parade of the contestants along the main avenue in Jacó. Then, the “Sands of the World” ceremony will be held where representatives from countries around the world will toss out sand from their respective beaches. Afterwards, the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, along with the main organizers of the event, will offer a few words.

One of the main reasons for Costa Rica having been selected to host the event is its dedication given it has participated in all the important world surfing competitions with complete teams. Its geographical location also benefits other Latin American delegations, making it easier for them to participate in the event because of its proximity.

“The fact that the world championship is being held in our country this year is beneficial to our tourism efforts since millions of people will be tuned into the competition. Also, contestants and spectators will be able to enjoy the natural beauties that Costa Rica has to offer as one of the ten best surfing destinations,” stated Carlos Ricardo Benavides.

Around 200,000 people come from other countries not only to surf, but also to vacation with their loved ones and take advantage of the hiking, flora and fauna, canopy, volcanoes, bird watching and snorkeling.

Closing day will finish off with the “Party of Nations” where live bands, DJs and fireworks on Jacó beach can be enjoyed by all.

In the presence of the President of the Republic, Dr. Oscar Arias Sánchez, the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, the Interim Housing Minister, José Luis Araya, along with the officials of the Legislative Assembly, local authorities, and members of the national tourism sector, the “Nacientes Palmichal” initiative was signed today. This Rural Community Tourism bill is a legal framework that aims to increase tourism in this sub-sector of the country.

According to the president, “As part of the government’s response to the economic crisis, I wholeheartedly signed the Rural Community Tourism law, a critical bill on a crucial topic.”

“Tourism development and rural tourism are ideas that came from the people of Costa Rica who know better than anyone what is best for them,” pointed out President Arias.

“This law represents the efforts of many and I hope that the signing of this bill marks the beginning of a new era in Costa Rican rural tourism and that it will be an important stimulus as a seed of hope for so many communities in the country,” said Arias.

Rural community tourism is made up of planned tourist experiences sustainably integrated into the rural environment and developed by organized local towns for the good of the community. They integrate the natural riches and daily life of the rural community and promote sound sustainable practices in tourism.

The rural communities manage small tourist businesses and directly benefit from the influx of tourists.

The Rural Community Tourism law seeks to encourage tourism activity within the rural community by means of promoting family and community-based businesses so that the local inhabitants have control over their own development, including the management of local tourist destinations. This effort will also allow them to plan and use local natural resources in a sustainable way in order to improve their way of life.

“In addition, the law seeks to appropriately use natural resources, keeping intact essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural resources and biological diversity. It also seeks to respect the socio-cultural authenticity of the participating communities, maintaining their lifestyle, architectural culture, traditional values, as well as contributing to awareness and intercultural tolerance,” stated the Tourism Minister.

The law aims to ensure viable long-term economic efforts that provide socio-economic benefits distributed evenly among those that have stable economic opportunities and revenues. It also seeks to ensure social services for host communities to reduce poverty, and promote a high level of satisfaction among tourists, thus providing a unique experience and making them more aware of sustainability and sustainable tourist practices.

“Rural tourism represents the essence of being Costa Rican and it is a sub-sector that has fought very hard. This law provides a concrete work and development outline that will allow Costa Rica to stay at the forefront in the tourism sector,” stressed the Tourism Minister.
The Tourism Minister thinks that “rural community tourism will be even stronger thanks to the continuous and joint effort of the public and private sector to put their ideals into action.”
Benavides also congratulated rural community tourism guides, coming from different areas of the country, who, thanks to joint training with the ICT and the National Training Institute (INA), received their official tour guide licenses hoy. Also during the event, four rural community tourism businesses were recognized for rural tourism lodging: Las Orquídeas in Miramar, Puntarenas; Curubanda in Nueva Zelandia, Liberia; Cerro Escondido in Jicaral, Puntarenas, and Naciente Palmichal in Palmichal de Acosta.
President Arias and the Minister Benavides, as part of the festivities, revealed a mural dedicated to rural community tourism, created by the Palmichal local, Carol Soto, exclusively for the occasion.

This morning, the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, participated in the event designating the Guayabo National Monument as an “International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark,” a recognition granted by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to acknowledge and raise awareness of the impact of unique engineering projects, structures, and sites with local, national, and international significance.

Along with Minister Benavides, Jorge Rodríguez, the Minister of Environment and Telecommunications, and Maria Elena Carballo, the Minister of Culture, as well as the President of the Legislative Assembly, Francisco Antonio Pacheco, and engineers Oscar Saborio, President of the Costa Rican Federated College of Engineers and Architects (CFIA in Spanish), and Wayne Klotz, President of ASCE, all participated in the event.

The Costa Rican Federated College of Engineers and Architects nominated the archeological monument as an international engineering landmark in 2007, because of its aqueducts, drainage system and cobblestone roads, structures that have lasted and still function after being unused for more than 7 centuries.

“This international homage to engineering, dating back to the Pre-Colombian Costa Rican societies, is an acknowledgement that will provide more tourist opportunities to our country and also renew the commitment of the surrounding areas to sustainable development,” emphasized Benavides during his speech.

The Tourism Minister stressed that “conserving cultural and historical national landmarks is of vital importance to the development of tourism” and that this distinction “is a clear example of how a Pre-Colombian civilization established a healthy relationship with the environment and, today, thousands of years later, we must keep our commitment to follow in their footsteps.”

In addition, the CFIA president explained that “aside from the educational value and the monument’s recognition, it is a channel for funds to support the upkeep and research at Guayabo."

Saborío also emphasized that the acknowledgement “is a unique contribution to tourist interests in the area, which, within the framework of appropriate management, entails incentive for the economic sustainability of the monument, thus directly benefiting the community.”
The ASCE president explained that, “ASCE is proud to recognize the Guayabo National Monument as an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark since this impressive site is a shining example of past civil engineering practices and suggests that this historic culture possessed a vast knowledge of civil engineering development and urban planning.”

Klotz recollects on when “Guayabo was, at one point, a city with 10 to 25 thousand inhabitants, the most populated center at that time uniting the indigenous cultures of South America with those of the North. The majority of its infrastructure still exists today, providing a valuable vision of a culture with an advanced system to control flooding, and to retain and distribute water with a network of underground canals and an extensive network of paved roads.”

The Guayabo National Monument was created on August 13th, 1973 by means of Law 5300. It measures some 573 acres. The goal of its creation is to protect and conserve one of the most important archeological resources in the country, as well as the flora and fauna and water systems.

This untamed area is located on the skirts of the Turrialba Volcano, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) northeast of the city with the same name. The two main rivers found within the monument are the Guayabo and Lajitas rivers.

• The Belgium airline, Jetair Flight Holidays, will begin flights to Costa Rica in November.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) announced the arrival of a new charter route from Brussels, which is expected to bring some 2,655 Europeans within the span of four months.

Jetair Flight Holidays is the airline that will charter the weekly Brussels-Liberia-Brussels flight, and also make a stop in the Caribbean, whose exact location has yet to be revealed.

According to María Amalia Revelo, ICT Marketing Director, operations will run from November to March 2010.

It is estimated that some 120 new tourists will arrive weekly at Daniel Oduber Airport, which will occupy half the available seats on the flight.

“This is very good news for Costa Rica. Belgium represents interesting market for us, which, from what we’ve been able to see, is providing us with more and more tourists every year,” stated María Amalia Revelo.

In order to support the opening of this new route, a joint campaign has been established between JETAIR NV, the Jetair Flight Holidays tour operator, and ICT, with each contributing $46,000.

The joint campaign is a promotional effort that requires equal investment by all parties, including ICT as well as wholesale agencies, airlines, or national and international business partners.

In the Brussels case, the total investment amount equals $93,200, which will be used for color advertising in the most established Belgium newspapers like Corelio and De Persroep, whose readership is around a million.

Additionally, the investment will cover tourism fairs, which are attended by almost a thousand travel agencies, news releases to over 185,000 contacts, advertising in trade magazines, bringing hard-to-find production materials to Costa Rica to be sent out to 2,500 travel agencies, as well as advertising on the web page and Jetair Flight Holiday’s own trade magazine.

For more information on Jetair Flight Holidays, go to www.jetairfly.com; for information on Belgium, go to www.diplomatie.be/sanjosees, and on the ICT, visit www.visitecostarica.com

The Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Taleb Rifai, opened today, along with the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, as well as the WTO’s president, Dawid de Villiers, the 8th meeting of the Ethics Committee on World Tourism.
Representative members from the Committee were also present at the meeting. This is the first time that the independent organization convenes in the Americas.
“The Ethics Code establishes a reference point for responsible development and sustainable world tourism by strengthening values with respect to the environment, the peaceful co-existence of ethnic groups, and increasing measures toward peace. Tourism, mutual understanding, and peace, are inseparable realities. The World Code seeks to strengthen peace, which is essential for the development of the world tourism sector,” pointed out Minister Benavides.
According to the Costa Rican Tourism Minister and the President of the WTO’s Executive Committee, “In Costa Rica, a country dedicated to peace, environmental protection and respect for human rights, principles of the Ethics Code, are absolutely integral to our model for national development. They have also been the driving force behind our vision for tourism development.”
During the meeting this morning, Rifai pointed out the importance of involving Costa Rica “for being an active member of the WTO and a shining example of how to implement proper responsible tourism policies, which in turn have made it a strong leader in sustainability and environment initiatives.”
“The topic of ethics, as practiced in Costa Rica, goes beyond philosophy and is based on a responsible way of life and taking effective working measures to apply the Ethics Code,” said Villiers.


According to Rifai, “The implementation of responsible practices, like sustainable tourism, for more than 10 years, places Costa Rica at a prestigious worldwide level, and allows them to more capably face challenges in the tourism sector.”
“Other countries ought to apply tourism principles like that done in Costa Rica to strengthen their world position as a tourist destination, thus offering added value as well as promoting tourism investment, which in turn allows them to offer new attractions to tourists," emphasized the Secretary General, reinforcing the importance of the tourism sector as a vehicle for the recovery of the world economy.
Regarding the working session of the independent entity of the WTO, the highest representative of the organization emphasized the importance of these sessions, “to monitor the application and fulfillment of the Ethics Code and to analyze important themes related to economic, financial, and environmental ethics.”
With respect to the situation within the Americas, Carlos Vogeler, the WTO’s representative in the Americas, thinks that “a consciousness must be created within our countries about the need to work together, governments hand in hand with the private sector, keeping in mind the importance of group work which allows for specific products to be offered in surrounding markets.”

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), along with the Mixed ICT Marketing Committee, CANATUR, will launch a campaign today in “Costa Rica Plus” to bolster reservation in the short term, beginning this month in Costa Rica Plus.
“This is a new and relevant campaign that will encourage North American tourists to make last minute reservations for their trips during a time of changing travel patterns,” commented María Amalia Revelo, Assistant Manager and ICT Marketing Director. “We are developing an innovative and aggressive sales campaign in the United States by means of an extra value offer.

“The Costa Rican private sector ought to see this new promotional effort as a great opportunity, along with a willingness to make interesting value-added offers so that potential tourists will take us into consideration as an alternative to the competitors,” said William Rodríguez of the National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR).

According to Gustavo Segura, of the Costa Rican Hotel Chamber (CCH in Spanish), “the main objective of the Costa Rica Plus campaign is to clearly and precisely communicate to the North American tourist the additional benefits that Costa Rica has to offer at this time with all its natural beauty, which makes it an extremely attractive destination spot.”

“The main objective of the campaign is to sell and reposition our country in a fresh and practical way through promotional offers that, instead of cheapen Costa Rica, show our country as a place full of great values that can be enjoyed by everyone immediately by simply checking out our micro site within our web page, designed specifically for the promotion,” stated the Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides.

The micro site shows alluring coupons that consumers can present in hotels, tourists attractions, rent-a-car companies, and other services offered by more than 100 companies that are taking part in this joint effort. These benefits have no restrictions based on the manner of reservation, whether it be directly by the tourist or through travel agencies.

“There is some US$500,000 invested in this campaign and it is specifically targeting media in the United States as well as this micro-site, which maintains a fresh image of the country. No other country is currently offering these types of incentives, which adds value to what the country already offers.” emphasized Revelo.

The publicity campaign will appear in The New York Times, USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, and the magazine Travel Weekly. It seeks to reach those potential clients that fit the profile of our best prospects, specifically in the Travel section on Sundays.

This initiative will last eight weeks, beginning June 19th and ending August 9th.

The ICT ads, measuring 2 inches high and 15 centimeters wide, will invite people to participate in the promotion located on the micro-site in order to get special coupons to be used upon arrival to the company.

Here is a preliminary example of the ad:

Participation is easy

Tourist companies that participate in this campaign are offering the consumer extra value that will be effective, by reservation and by the company, for reservations made between June 19th and August 31st applicable for trips made between June 19th and December 15th.

Examples of extra value for hotels: “Print this coupon and you will receive one of the following extra values:”

• If you stay three nights, the fourth is free
• If you stay 5 nights, you will receive two additional nights
You will receive a $25 coupon per night, per room, for Food and Beverages
• Free thirty minute message per guest, per stay
• A room upgrade

Examples of extra value for Rent-a-Car companies: “Print this coupon and you will receive one of the following extra values”:

• Fourth day free rental
• If you rent a car for five days, you will receive a week free.
• Free GPS
• Vehicle upgrade

Examples of extra value for Tour Operators: “Print this coupon and you will receive one of the following extra values”:

• 4 for 3. When three people pay, the fourth is free.

• 5 for 4. When 4 people pay, the fifth is free.

Channel AXN will give four people the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica where the winner of the “Your Lost Theory” contest and three guests will visit the country, all expenses paid, thanks to the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT).

This contest is part of the promotional efforts by the Tourism Minister’s Office, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, and the ICT Marketing Department, together with Sony Entertainment Television, AXN, the History Channel, and Nat Geo.

“As part of the country’s promotional efforts, more than 300 30-second commercials and 4 daily 60-second commercials will air in prime time on various international channels, advertising the beauty of Costa Rica.

It is estimated that the end audience will reach 125,000,000 people who will witness the many attractions the country has to offer, “ stated Minister Benavides.

More than 30% of international tourists to Costa Rica come from this market, where the ICT seeks to increase the number of tourists, thus promoting the connectedness of the region and cooperative promotional campaigns.

According to the rules of the contest, the contestants must make a video, at least 3 minutes long, that explains their own theory about Lost, the series with the largest viewership on AXN. The winner of “Your Lost Theory” will experience a mystical adventure like that seen on the series, only this time it will be a safe location in Costa Rica with all expenses covered.

The contestant to receive the highest number of votes for their video will win a trip to a little nook in paradise within Costa Rica for 4 days and 3 nights, along with three guests, to share a completely unique experience with nature. The trip will be filmed by the producers and later aired 90 times on AXN programming.

The radio station chain “Los 40 Principales” will also promote the contest throughout Latin America and Brazil, and there will be two winners chosen from their listeners.

In order to decentralize service and boost tourist destinations that abound in the Northern zone, as well as make services more accessible to the region’s businesses and clients, the Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, inaugurated the Regional Plains Office in Cuidad Quesada on May 25.

Benavides was accompanied by Fernando Valverde, Regional Forum Director of the Northern Zone (FORETUR), the mayor of San Carlos, Alfredo Córdoba, and mayors of the northern zone. Authorities and business representatives of the local tourism sector were also present during the inauguration.
By opening its Regional Offices throughout the country, the Costa Rica Tourism Board seeks to improve the institutional capacity to implement directives, obtain information and fulfill other requirements, objectives and strategies outlined in the National Sustainable Tourism Development Plan 2002-2012.

The Scope of the Office
Besides offering information to tourism businesses, national and international tourists by means of circulating and distributing promotional materials, the office will act as reference point where those interested can offer suggestions and complaints about goods and services received from tourism companies. Among its other functions, it will seek to promote institutional programs that improve its competitiveness such as Tourism Declarations, Sustainable Tourism Certification, and Blue Flag programs in the area, as well as establish coordination among municipalities, local or regional tourism boards, and regional public institutions, among others.

The branch will collaborate with implementing procedures and organizational processes of the General Groundwork Plans in order to contribute to sustainable tourism. Furthermore, it will also be an extension of the help window process implemented a few years ago in the ICT’s Central Valley headquarters.

The office will be in charge of a team of professionals in areas such as Tourist Services, Sustainability, Management and Consulting, Coordination, Tourism, and the Secretariat.

The Tourism Minister, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, emphasized the importance of decentralizing ICT services and added that this office is a show of support that the Government is offering to the country’s northern region.

"In the eyes of the ICT, this office is a very important initiative. It is an extension of the ICT that seeks to directly support the entire tourism sector in the northern region with respect to administrative aspects, management, and promotion,” stated Benavides.

Benavides also referred to the efforts that the ICT has undertaken to face the world economic crisis “with better measures and resources, hand-in-hand with private business.” The minister pointed out the investment in marketing and promotion of the country at an international level that the institution is currently undertaking, where, for the period between May and November of this year, $2.5 million will be invested in advertising in magazines specifically in the United States, our primary market.

“If we intend to be successful in the region as a consolidated destination, it must be through the joint effort of our many tourism organizations, as well as through business leaders and with the participation of other organizations and institutions contributing to ICT’s technical and economic support, making it a fortress for sustainable development in the area that also aspires to offer economically fair tourism choices for people and communities where local cultures are respected and concern is shown for environmental and social issues. At the same time, high quality tourism services, innovative products, and security in the region can be offered to visitors or tourists,” said the FORETUR director.

The office, measuring some 582 sq. ft. will be an addition to the two already existing regional ICT offices in the Guanacaste region. In mid-June, a Central Pacific office is expected to be opened and, during the second quarter of this year, an office will be established in the northern and southern Caribbean as well as the southern Pacific.

Office hours of the new ICT branch, located 225 ft. north of the Catholic University in Barrio Hogar de Ancianos in Cuidad Quesada, are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and inquiries regarding services can be directed to a customer service representative at 2461-9102, fax 2461-9107 or by email ictsancarlos@ict.go.cr

The regional ICT office in Liberia is located 1500 ft. west, facing the Plaza de Ferias, Tierra Liberiana office complex. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Telephone number 2666-2976, fax 2666-2978 or by email ictliberia@ict.go.cr

The regional Nicoya office is located in front of UNA, on the way to Nosara. Hours are also 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. The office can be reached at 2685-3269 or by email at ictnicoya@ict.go.cr.

No deaths or major injuries among tourists have been reported as a result of the earthquake affecting a small area in the province of Heredia, north of the capital city of San José, on Thursday, January 8.

On January 8 and 9, The Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) relocated a group of tourists who had been stranded at a hotel in Vara Blanca due to damage to its main access road. The tourists were transported free of charge to the capital city of San José and provided complimentary accommodations, meals, medical services and long-distance phone access at a tourist assistance center located at the Herradura Hotel and manned by bilingual tourism officials. The tourists also received support in arranging rental cars, contacting their embassies and rescheduling return flights.

All the tourists who arrived at the tourist assistance center left the hotel by January 11 to either continue their vacations or return home. The Costa Rica Tourist Board moved the tourist assistance center to the ICT headquarters at Costado Este del Puente Juan Pablo II, Autopista General Cañas in San José, where it continues to offer support services to all tourists who require them. The center's phone, +506-2299-5800, extension 432, is being manned by multilingual tourism executives.

No tourists are officially reported missing at this time, but the ICT encourages visitors in Costa Rica to report to its tourist assistance center in the event they require any assistance, including communication with their families back home.

All three of Costa Rica's international airports, the country's major roadways and tourism resort areas are functioning normally, with electricity and other services restored in all areas of the country except those in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter. All tourism services, destinations and attractions are functioning normally.

The ICT deeply regrets any inconveniences caused to its visitors and appreciates their patience as it works to assist them in continuing their vacation or returning home.

For more information, please contact 1-888-600-6806 within the United States and Canada or +1-305-347-4396 from elsewhere

No deaths or major injuries among tourists have been reported as a result of the earthquake affecting a small area in the province of Heredia, north of the capital city of San José, on Thursday, January 8.

On January 8 and 9, The Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) relocated a group of tourists who had been stranded at a hotel in Vara Blanca due to damage to its main access road. The tourists were transported free of charge to the capital city of San José and provided complimentary accommodations, meals, medical services and long-distance phone access at a tourist assistance center located at the Herradura Hotel and manned by bilingual tourism officials. The tourists also received support in arranging rental cars, contacting their embassies and rescheduling return flights.

All the tourists who arrived at the tourist assistance center left the hotel by January 11 to either continue their vacations or return home. The Costa Rica Tourist Board has moved the tourist assistance center to the ICT headquarters at Costado Este del Puente Juan Pablo II, Autopista General Cañas in San José, where it continues to offer support services to all tourists who require them. The center's phone, +506-2299-5800, extension 432, is being manned by multilingual tourism executives.

No tourists are officially reported missing at this time, but the ICT encourages visitors in Costa Rica to report to its tourist assistance center in the event they require any assistance, including communication with their families back home.

All three of Costa Rica's international airports, the country's major roadways and tourism resort areas are functioning normally, with electricity and other services restored in all areas of the country except those in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter.

The ICT deeply regrets any inconveniences caused to its visitors and appreciates their patience as it works to assist them in continuing their vacation or returning home.

For more information, please contact 1-888-600-6806 within the United States and Canada or +1-305-347-4396 from elsewhere.

As of 18:00 local time (19:00EST) on Saturday, January 10, no deaths or major injuries among tourists had been reported as a result of the earthquake affecting a small area in the province of Heredia, north of the capital city of San José, on Thursday, January 8.

On January 8 and 9, The Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT) relocated a group of tourists who had been stranded at a hotel in Vara Blanca due to damage to its main access road. The tourists were taken to the capital city of San José and provided complimentary accommodations, meals, medical services and long-distance phone access at a tourist assistance center located at the Herradura Hotel and manned by bilingual tourism officials. The tourists also received support in arranging rental cars, contacting their embassies and rescheduling return flights.

The tourist assistance center will remain operational through Sunday, January 11. The phone number of the center is +506-2209-7800, extensions 7402 and 7403.

All three of Costa Rica’s international airports, the country’s major roadways and tourism resort areas are functioning normally, with electricity and other services restored in all areas of the country except those in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter. The only tourism activities that were temporarily suspended due to the earthquake were rafting trips on the Sarapiquí River.

The ICT deeply regrets any inconveniences caused to its visitors and appreciates their patience as it works to assist them in continuing their vacation or returning home.

For more information, please contact 1-888-600-6806 within the United States and Canada or +1 305-347-4396 from elsewhere.

Tourists successfully rescued

All tourists who were stranded at a hotel in Vara Blanca in Heredia due to damage to its access road were relocated by helicopter or ground transportation to San José, where complimentary accommodations and medical services were arranged by the Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT).

ICT created a Support Tourism Committee in coordination with CNE, embassies and the private tourist organizations: CCH, CANATUR and ACOT, for monitoring the situation, coordinating operative issues and bringing all the support required.

ICT has a Help Desk for all tourists in Ramada Herradura Hotel, where orientation, medical assistance, international calls, meals and accommodations are being offered. They are also coordinating with airlines to schedule return trips for tourists who missed their regularly-scheduled flights.

All three of Costa Rica’s international airports, the country’s major roadways and tourism resort areas are functioning normally, with electricity and other services restored in all areas of the country except those in the immediate vicinity of the epicenter in the province of Heredia.

An earthquake affected a small area located in Vara Blanca in Heredia north of the capital city of San José, at 1:21 local time (2:21EST) on Thursday, January 8. No deaths or major injuries among tourists were reported.

For more information, please contact 1-888-600-6806 within the United States and Canada or +1 305-347-4396 from elsewhere.