Costa Rica participates from March 7 to 9 in the ITB Berlin tourism fair, in Germany, the first face-to-face edition since 2019, to be held at the Messe Berlin exhibition center, in the German capital.
The German ITB fair is considered the largest travel and tourism event in the world, it was created in 1966, this year its motto is "Open for change" and it will have 4,500 exhibitors from 150 countries.
The last participation of Costa Rica in said event took place in the first virtual edition of the fair in 2021. The 2020 edition was canceled days before its inauguration due to the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our promotional work in 2023 focuses on the priority tourist markets for Costa Rica and, in the case of Europe, Germany is of enormous importance for the country. This fair will allow us to reinforce the excellent image of Costa Rica, highlight our pioneering role in the issue of sustainability, put ourselves in the spotlight as a destination to visit on the travel list of German tourists, and refresh key relationships with strategic partners in the sector.” , said William Rodríguez, Minister of Tourism.
Among the promotional actions that Costa Rica implements during the fair and in agreement with its sustainable tourism development model, the carbon footprint of the transfer of stand materials from Spain to Germany will be offset and visitors will be invited to join to this action, compensating for the transfer from their workplaces or home to the place of the event.
On the other hand, since yesterday March 6 and during the dates of the ITB fair, a van will transport the image of Costa Rica and the idea of Pura Vida in temporary projections through the streets of Berlin, with the aim of having a presence branding around the fairgrounds. In addition, two portable projectors will be placed in the fair area to create maximum visibility for Costa Rica and strengthen an extra presence, reach ITB visitors and people from the sector who will see them on their way to the fair and back. of the activity.
The projections will be visible four hours a day, during the time of greatest influx of visitors.
Precisely today, March 7, the start day of the ITB, Costa Rica will be the organizing country and protagonist of the press breakfast with the association VDRJ Vereinigung Deutsche Reisejournalisten (VDRJ, Association of German travel journalists), which was attended by between 25 and 30 of the most important journalists from the tourism sector where they exchanged opinions and were informed about the news about the tourist product of Costa Rica and that they take the destination into account in future publications.
For tomorrow, Wednesday, March 8, Costa Rica will offer a press conference with the media to highlight the news of the destination, the sustainable development model and the travel trends of 2023, among other topics, with the presence of William Rodríguez, minister of Tourism and Ireth Rodríguez, head of promotion of the ICT.
To continue with the promotion of the country, the head of Tourism; ICT representatives and businessmen will attend interviews with specialized media, as well as appointments with airlines, as well as German, European and international tourism professionals, with the goal of reinforcing the good image of Costa Rica, highlighting its pioneering role in ecotourism, its natural and variety, its commitment to climate change and being the destination that should not be missed on the travel list.
During the three days of the fair, the German radio Holiday will broadcast live from the Costa Rica stand to all of Germany, with a technical reach of 7.3 million people and with special programs focused on “travel destinations”. An hourly interview will be held, lasting a minute and a half, between 10 am and 4 pm (German time) to invite people to travel to Costa Rica and learn more about the country, which will also be published on the website of the station.
Participating Costa Rican companies: Amadeus Travel Agency, ARA Tours, Destination Services, Ecole Travel, Travel Excellence, Swiss Travel, Costa Rica Dream Travel Corporation, Localista Travel, Green World Adventures, Tropical Images, Hover Tours Costa Rica DMC, Aventuras Tierra Verde, Amazilia Travel, Condor Verde Travel, Bella Aventura Costa Rica, Armotours, Costa Rica Trails, Finca Rosa Blanca SA, Hotel Parador Nature Resort & Spa, Amigo Rent a car Costa Rica, Grupo ANC, EC Rent a car, Adobe Rent a car, Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín, Costa Rent a car, Studio Hotel Boutique, Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, Pachira Lodge, Hotel Fiesta Resort and Hotel San Bada.