Costa Rica received two awards for “responsible tourism” at the closing of WTM LATAM 2026

Costa Rica stood out at the 2026 Responsible Tourism Awards, winning with two initiatives considered the best in Latin America. These awards were presented during the WTM Latin America tourism fair, held from April 14-16 at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, Brazil.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve – Tropical Science Center – won gold in the “Regenerative Tourism” category. This reserve protects more than 1,500 hectares of pristine cloud forest with exceptionally high biodiversity, making it an ecological and tourism landmark that has boosted the local economy.

For its part, the Raíces Program was awarded the bronze in the category of “Indigenous Tourism”, thanks to a pioneering incubation program that encourages sustainable tourism ventures in indigenous territories.

“Receiving these awards at WTM Latin America validates Costa Rica’s ongoing efforts in its sustainability projects. Both the gold award for the Monteverde Reserve in Regenerative Tourism and the recognition of the Raíces project in Indigenous Tourism demonstrate that our development model focuses not only on environmental conservation, but also on deep integration with local communities, well-being, and greater social progress,” stated Oscar Saborío, Marketing Director of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), who was present at the awards ceremony.

The ICT and 23 companies from the Costa Rican tourism sector made a prominent participation this week in WTM Latin America 2026, the most important trade fair in Latin America.

This scenario reinforced the commitment to strengthen promotional actions and forge closer ties with the professional tourism sector in Brazil and other South American markets of interest within the framework of WTM LATAM 2026.

Positive Results in São Paulo, Brazil.
According to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), business owners reported that the trade fair was a success, with productive business meetings with Brazilian travel agents and wholesalers, as well as South Americans with strong interest in Costa Rica. Costa Rica also showcased new additions to its tourism offerings related to luxury and adventure experiences, while maintaining its commitment to sustainable tourism and biodiversity.

At the same time, the ICT Marketing area developed 40 strategic meetings and gatherings to generate alliances to improve the destination's connectivity, media relations, among other things.

The program of activities included training for professionals in the sector in Brazil, organized with the objective of providing travel agents with updated information about the destination, highlighting the country's competitive advantages and consumption trends for the Brazilian traveler.

“Our goal is to deepen our presence in this market and continue working with the Brazilian tourism industry. Costa Rica has significant growth potential in this market. Brazil is a market with ample opportunities, and we will continue working to serve more tourists,” Saborío concluded.

According to data from the organizers, WTM LATAM 2026 brought together nearly 32,000 travel professionals and 837 exhibiting companies from dozens of countries.

Based on the most recent tourism figures published by the ICT, during the first quarter of 2026, 43,452 South American tourists entered the country by air. 

Source: ICT.