This boost is a response to the effective promotion strategy that has been possible thanks to the tours organized by Proimagen Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), which have strengthened ties with key markets in the sector.
Notably, 99 tourism agents from the United States, Europe, the United Kingdom and Canada visited the country, consolidating commercial relations and opening new opportunities for Costa Rican companies in those markets.
In the first half of the year, Proimagen Costa Rica, the ICT and 25 tourism companies held more than 400 business meetings in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States and Mexico. These meetings helped position Costa Rica as an attractive destination for both high-net-worth travelers and those who value sustainability and ecotourism.
Europeans, known for their passion for well-planned vacations and their high purchasing power, are especially interested in direct flights and experiences that combine nature, adventure and sustainability.
In the United States, the 2024 tour focused on promoting outdoor activities, nature experiences and non-traditional destinations. This strategy takes advantage of the growing environmental awareness of American tourists and their interest in living new experiences in less conventional places.
Mexico, for its part, is presented as an emerging market with great potential. Mexican tourists, who were previously limited to visiting San José, are now exploring various regions of the country, such as Tortuguero, Arenal and Monteverde.
Strategic Actions for the Second Semester of 2024
In the second half of 2024, Costa Rica reaffirmed its place as a preferred destination for international tourists by hosting 30 tourism experts from Canada. This event represented an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the Costa Rican presence in that market, the second most important for the country. The agents participated in business spaces and Fam Trips, which allowed them to learn about Costa Rican biodiversity and culture firsthand, in order to facilitate their promotional work in cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
At the same time, a group of experts from the United States toured new and traditional tourist areas, with the aim of attracting more tourists to Costa Rica.
In the same period, Proimagen Costa Rica and the ICT carried out a trade mission to Denmark, Sweden, and Scotland. Costa Rican tourism companies met with more than 100 potential partners to position the country as a destination for ecotourism, sustainability, and authentic experiences.
“We congratulate the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) for the strategic work of its entire professional team that positions Costa Rica as a leading and beloved destination for tourists from around the world. According to ICT estimates for 2024, the country could reach 2.6 million visitors, exceed $5 billion in revenue and generate more than 189,000 direct jobs. These results reflect the positive impact of tourism on the economy and the well-being of thousands of Costa Rican families. At Proimagen Costa Rica, we are convinced that strategic promotional actions, in collaboration with the ICT, will continue to boost the country's positioning in the main international markets. We reiterate our recognition and support for the ICT for its leadership in promoting our country, which guarantees a prosperous future full of opportunities for all those involved in the Costa Rican tourism industry,” said Christian Doñas, president of Proimagen Costa Rica.
“At the Costa Rican Tourism Institute we pride ourselves on working together with many organizations in the private sector, but I want to highlight the work done by the PROIMAGEN organization, which is a group of professionals in the private tourism sector that has done a commendable job for Costa Rica in the area of promotion, helping us to contact more than 1,000 professionals in the tourism sector by visiting them in the main markets and also receiving a good number of them here in Costa Rica. Sectors and organizations like PROIMAGEN make tourism great in Costa Rica,” said the Minister of Tourism, William Rodríguez.
With these actions, Costa Rica continues its path towards consolidation as a global tourist destination, boosting the local economy and strengthening its competitiveness in key markets. Thanks to the joint strategy between Proimagen Costa Rica and the ICT, the country is increasingly positioned as a preferred option for international travelers, committed to sustainability and Costa Rica's rich biodiversity.
Source: Proimagen Costa Rica / ICT.