400 tourism entrepreneurs promote the sale of "Pura Vida" experiences at the ICT Business Roundtable

With the participation of more than 400 tourism entrepreneurs and 130 travel agents, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is holding a new edition of the Business Roundtable of the Integrated Tourism Destination Management Program, a key space for consolidating commercial alliances, diversifying the national offering, and promoting sustainable tourism under the "Pura Vida" label.

The event will take place on October 14 and 15 in Alajuela and will bring together representatives from the country's various Tourism Development Centers (CDTs). They will meet with representatives from 80 tourism agencies with tourism declarations or Sustainable Tourism Certifications (CSTs).

According to Ruth Alfaro, Director of Tourism Development at the ICT, the Business Roundtable aims to "foster alliances, strengthen commercial ties, and facilitate the marketing of authentic experiences that reflect the identity and sustainability of Costa Rican tourism."

The meeting will be held through a pre-scheduled appointment system, allowing each company to coordinate at least 26 strategic meetings, with the possibility of reaching up to 50 appointments over the two days. This format guarantees a transparent, orderly, and highly productive negotiation process, facilitating exchanges between suppliers and buyers in the sector.

The tourism offerings represented cover all of the country's provinces, distributed across the seven tourism planning units: the Caribbean, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, the Middle Pacific, the South Pacific, the Northern Plains, and the Central Valley. Participants will present a wide range of products and services, from luxury accommodations and rural lodging to themed activities such as coffee and chocolate tours, hiking, canopy tours, birdwatching, cultural experiences, and wellness tourism.

The Business Roundtable is consolidating its position as a face-to-face meeting that promotes industry coordination through the Integrated Destination Management Program, a national initiative promoted by the ICT since 2018 to strengthen the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized tourism businesses. This time, the event will include pre-conference training for buyers and exhibitors, focusing on effective communication and negotiation strategies.

In parallel, a craft market will be held with the participation of groups from the Crafts with Identity Program and the Tico Treasures platform. This market will showcase products that reflect Costa Rica's cultural and artistic richness, complementing the overall tourist experience.

The 2023 edition of the Business Roundtable was rated highly successful, with 96% participant satisfaction and widespread recognition of its effectiveness in generating business opportunities. In line with these results, the ICT plans to expand the event's national and regional reach, incorporate technological innovations in event management, and continue promoting the diversification and sustainability of Costa Rican tourism.

The event takes place in a free, inclusive, and technologically-enabled space, designed to democratize opportunities for promoting and marketing the sector, strengthening Costa Rica's position as a sustainable and competitive destination internationally.