Costa Rica Tourism Report
After increasing from 2.06 million in 2006
to 2.52 million in 2008, the number of
tourism arrivals dipped to an estimated 2.27
million in 2009. Arrival numbers are
forecast to increase in 2010 and to grow at
an average rate of 8% until the end of our
forecast period in 2014.
The majority of tourists visit Costa Rica
during the peak season (January-May) and
come from the Americas.
Arrivals from the country's three most
important source markets - the US, Nicaragua
and Canada - increased steadily during 2004
to 2007. However, looking at the inbound
tourism data by region, although 2008
continued to trend upwards for North America
and Latin America, we are forecasting
arrivals numbers from both regions to
decrease by 9.45% and 9.81%, respectively,
in 2009, before climbing again in 2010.
The next most important source markets in
terms of arrivals are, in order, Panama,
Mexico and Spain.
The main growth drivers for the industry are
ecotourism and health tourism. Costa Rica
has 32 national parks, eight biological
reserves, 13 forest reserves and 51 wildlife
refuges.
The industry suffered slightly in 2009 due
to the global recession, particularly in
relation to the US, and the H1N1 virus
(swine flu), however it is forecast to
achieve a relatively quick turnaround in
2010.
The continued expansion of the Daniel Oduber
International Airport in Liberia and
the growing amount of chartered flights from
Europe all have the potential to drive
growth in the market. Furthermore, the
planned development of the Caribbean Limón
province looks set to bring more tourists to
this less developed Costa Rican province.
Indeed, already the province's port has
served as the finish line for the Transat
Jacques Vabre sailboat race in 2009 and the
race is scheduled to finish there in 2011,
2013 and 2015 as well. The port has also
been added as a port of call in 2010 to two
luxury cruise liners' schedules And there is
a concession for the development of another
port in Limón.
Costa Rica's tourism industry is a major
contributor to the economy, accounting for
7.8% of GDP in 2008 and nearly 3% of total
employment in 2006, or 49,000 individuals,
according to data from the World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO).
However, the industry's contribution to GDP
is forecast to steadily decline, from 7.2%
in 2009 to 4.7% by 2014.
Collective government expenditure on tourism
was an estimated US$28.4 million in 2009, a
slight dip from the previous year.
Collective government expenditure is
forecast to bounce back to US$28.5 million
by 2011. Expenditure is then forecast to
rise to US$32.8 million by the end of the
forecast period in 2014.
The government has added a tax on inbound
airfares. The legislation places an
additional fee of US$15 on all airfares,
replacing the 3% hotel tax.
Part of the revenue from the tax, which is
expected to be more than US$80 million per
year, will fund some activities of Instituto
Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), including
marketing, promotion and planning.
The change in taxation came about due to the
increasing amount of condominium and other
private rentals that were not included under
the umbrella of the hotel tax.
New hotel developments are ongoing in the
country, with major international companies
such as the InterContinental Hotels Group,
Marriott and Barceló Hotels & Resorts
constructing hotels near the beaches and in
urban centres. |
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