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Canada-Costa Rica tourism a hot topic this winter
Costa Rica and Canada are looking to help each other out.
In response to a visit of the Governor General of Canada last week, the Canadian government has expressed interest in creating a consulate in Costa Rica and the National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR) of Costa Rica is looking to attract more Canadian tourists.
During Governor General Michaëlle Jean’s visit, she promised to take steps to remove the visa complications for Costa Ricans hoping to move to Canada. Without a Canadian consulate in Costa Rica, Ticos currently have to send their documentation to the consulate in Guatemala in order to have their visas approved.
“Part of my work here in Costa Rica involves simplifying the visa issues for the Costa Ricans hoping to come to our country,” Jean said. “We are, after all, friends and need to develop opportunities between the two countries.”
President Arias nodded in agreement and suggested a Canadian consulate should be opened in Costa Rica.
Other matters discussed by Canada’s highest-ranking representative of the head-of-state and President Arias included: maximizing the trading relationship in light of the 2002 Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement, improving the flow of tourism between the two countries, as well as working together on cultural and education exchange projects.
This week, CANATUR has defined how Costa Rica is looking to improve tourism between the two countries, indicating that there has been some exploration into establishing direct airline flights to and from Canada.
In his comments regarding the push for Canadian tourism, CANATUR President Juan Carlos Ramos said, “The year 2010 will be a period to make national tourism more convenient, and to promote activities to attract tourists from destinations like Canada, which represents an opportunity to help us recover in the tourism sector.”
Information from CANATUR reveals that, from January to September 2009, 75,790 tourists from Canada visited Costa Rica, accounting for more than 5 percent of the total visitors during that period. CANATUR also revealed that 287,705 Canadian tourists have come to Costa Rica from 2007 through September 2009. Canadian tourists are found to spend approximately $1,425 per person and have the longest average stay of any visiting population, at 18.7 nights.
“The Canadian visitor is relatively young, as 60 percent are younger than 44 years old,” Ramos said. “They find Costa Rica to be a destination with different options for the purpose of entertainment, beaches, mountains, diverse eco-systems and a place committed to the development of sustainable tourism.”
At the conference for Jean, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias had the following words to say about Canada: “I was once asked by a reporter what country I would like to belong to if I hadn’t been born in Costa Rica. The answer was Canada because of its sense of responsibility, solidarity and diversity. We can learn a lot from Canada.”
