Costa Rica
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2022-08-18 10:15:55
Costa Rica
Tourism is one of the fastest-growing service industries in the world today, and it is an industry that continues to grow with economic and social development and the improvement of people's quality of life. Costa Rica's pleasant climate, rich ecological resources, high-quality nature reserves and professional services attract tourists from all over the world, and tourism has become its main source of income and important industry， sports fitness .
1. Current Situation of Tourism Development in Costa Rica
(1) Economic pillar industries
Tourism is the pillar industry of Costa Rica's economy and has become the main source of foreign exchange for Costa Rica since 1995. From 2012 to 2016, tourism increased from 4.4% of GDP to 6.3%. In 2019, the tourism industry generated USD 4 billion in foreign exchange and created 219,000 jobs, accounting for 8.8% of all industries.
(2) Severely affected by the epidemic
Costa Rica received 3.139 million international tourists in 2019, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Office (ICT). Affected by the new crown epidemic, the number of inbound tourists in 2020 was only 1.012 million, a year-on-year decrease of 67.7%, down to the level in 1998; most of them came to Colombia in January and February. After the first case occurred in Costa Rica on March 6, 2020, the Colombian government announced on March 18 that the border was blocked, only Costa Rican citizens were allowed to enter, and shops, beaches and tourist attractions were closed to prevent the spread of the epidemic, and the tourism industry suffered a devastating blow. The number of tourists has picked up since August, with the resumption of at least 20 routes to major countries. In October 2020, the Tourism Monthly Economic Activity Index (IMAE) contracted by 53.2% from a year earlier, making it the sector hardest hit by the outbreak.
(3) The government actively adopts stimulus policies
On February 16, 2021, the Colombian Cabinet meeting approved a series of 20 measures to promote the recovery of tourism with the support of 9 ministries, 4 autonomous agencies and the National Financial System Supervisory Committee (Conassif). Measures include exempting some Chinese tourists from visas, investing 2.25 billion colones in infrastructure construction of tourist reserves, increasing public holidays (every Monday or Friday) for public officials to travel, extending the period of tourism company business licenses, and extending the period of business licenses for tourism companies in 2020. Travel companies operating at a loss will be exempted from some income taxes, and the cost of travel company health licenses will be reduced to $20. From April 5, 2021, Costa Rica will reopen its land borders to all tourists who meet the prescribed conditions to facilitate tourism recovery.
2. Challenges facing Costa Rica’s tourism recovery
Costa Rica's tourism industry is slowly recovering as major tourist source countries, such as North America and European countries, have gradually started vaccination efforts. According to estimates by the Colombian Tourism Chamber of Commerce, in 2021 the tourism industry will bring about US$1.5 billion in foreign exchange earnings, 80,000 jobs and 2.5% of GDP. Foreign tourist visits in 2021 will account for only 25% to 30% of 2019 (3.1 million international tourists). It will recover to 50% in 2022, 75% in 2023, and is expected to return to 2019 tourist volumes in 2024. However, the current recovery of Colombian tourism still faces the following challenges:
(1) Travel restrictions on the six major source countries
Colombian Tourism Minister Segura said that the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain and the United Kingdom are the main source countries of tourists to Colombia. In 2020, the total number of tourists from the above-mentioned countries to Colombia by air was 615,000, an average decrease of about two-thirds. At present, major tourist source countries still implement travel restrictions such as suspending international travel, declaring health status, submitting negative nucleic acid test certificates, and compulsory isolation, which seriously affects Colombia's tourism recovery.
(2) The vaccination rate is low
In the short term, the procurement, approval, distribution and vaccination of vaccines will be key issues to contain the epidemic and fully open borders. As of March 30, 2021, a total of 384,000 people have received the Pfizer vaccine, of which 160,000 have received the second dose, accounting for 7.44% of the total population. The authoritative medical journal The Lancet has published an article showing that the vaccination ratio must reach 60-72% to achieve herd immunity. At present, my brother is still far from this goal.
(3) Intense competition with similar countries
Costa Rica must regain the confidence of tourists as the aviation industry and tourism market are greatly affected. In dealing with the epidemic, Colombia has a better image, and tourists are still interested in it as a sustainable adventure destination. But competition with Dominica, Mexico, Jamaica and others will be fierce. The government should pay close attention to tourist incentives in competitive markets to ensure that Colombia does not lose competitiveness.
(4) Poor infrastructure construction
Overall, there are many deficiencies in Costa Rica's air, land and port transport infrastructure. The roads have been lack of maintenance for a long time, and the overall road conditions are poor; the railway network system is underdeveloped; the port throughput is small and the equipment is outdated, which cannot meet the needs of foreign trade development and transportation. These have become unfavorable factors restricting the development of tourism.
3. Highlights of Costa Rica's tourism development
(1) Rich in natural resources
Costa Rica is rich in tourism resources and has certain characteristics. Go Arenal Volcano National Park was named the sixth best national park in the world and first in Latin America in the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards 2021. In fact, Colombia's land area only accounts for 0.03% of the world's land area, but its biodiversity accounts for about 6% of the world's total. It is an eco-tourism and adventure tourism destination and enjoys a good reputation in the industry. National parks and nature reserves occupy more than 25% of the territory and include forest parks, tropical rain forests, cloud forests, marine and wetland parks. The National System of Protected Areas (SINAC) established in 1998 protects nearly 200 protected areas, including more than 50 wildlife reserves, 32 national parks, more than 10 forest reserves and a small number of biological reserves. Countless nature lovers.
(2) The construction of barrier-free facilities is perfect
Colombia's tourism industry focuses on sustainable development and is committed to building barrier-free facilities to provide wheelchair users with opportunities to enjoy the scenery at close range and facilitate travel. Examples include barrier-free trails through the rainforest, special ziplines for disabled tourists, general trails in Carrara National Park and Poas Volcano National Park, and barrier-free access to museums, markets and restaurants throughout the capital, San Jose. In January 2021, the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism, the Accessible Tourism Association and the Municipality of Carrio jointly launched an initiative to establish a 100% accessible space on Playa Hermosa, including parking, changing Handicap toilets, adaptive showers, retractable walkways, etc., and amphibious wheelchair rentals are available. The launch of the "Accessible Beach" project has greatly improved the travel experience for the disabled, providing a modern and well-equipped beach. The travel guide published by the internationally renowned travel magazine Lonely Planet recommends Costa Rica as the "Best Accessible Travel Destination for 2021". Costa Rica is full of humanistic care to welcome all travelers, even those with poor physical conditions can have a variety of options to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.
(3) Medical tourism is attractive
Costa Rica has emerged as a top medical tourism destination during the pandemic, becoming a popular destination for dental care, cosmetic surgery and prescription drugs among tourists from North America. Affected by the epidemic, the collapse of the health system in some cities in the United States, coupled with the fear of infection when visiting a local doctor, has prompted more and more Americans to cross the US-Mexico border to seek medical treatment abroad. The main reason driving Americans to seek medical care abroad is price, with medical and dental procedures 50% to 70% cheaper in Costa Rica than in the United States. In addition to this, Costa Rica fulfills a range of its more complex and urgent medical needs. Colombia also has potential as a medical tourism destination, with medical services even 40% cheaper than Costa Rica. However, Costa Rica outperforms Colombia and Mexico in terms of tourist image and safety, providing a pleasant experience for tourists.
Although medical tourism is not promoted at the national level for legal reasons, Costa Rica's national profile is enough to attract many tourists. Costa Rica has always been an important destination for medical tourism, with 70,000 tourists visiting Costa Rica every year before the outbreak. According to the relevant person of CIMA Hospital, 35% of the hospital's patients are from overseas, including foreigners and foreign travelers living in their own countries. The most popular medical programs are cardiovascular medicine, neurosurgery, cosmetic surgery, ENT and gynecology. In addition, there are dental clinics that specialize in providing dental services to international medical tourists. According to Colombian central bank data, 11% of the country's tourism revenue comes from health care services, and 13% of inbound tourism is for medical and health purposes.
(4) The best destination for retirement
In 2021, Costa Rica ranks first in International Living magazine's list of the best destinations for retirees, ahead of countries such as Panama, Mexico, Colombia and Portugal. Costa Rica is in third place in 2020, behind Portugal and Panama. This index mainly measures the living situation of retirees in various countries (accommodation, visas, benefits, entertainment, national development, climate, health, governance, opportunities and cost of living 10 indicators). At the same time, it attracts millions of foreign tourists and residents every year due to its tropical climate, low cost of living, friendly locals, affordable healthcare, abundant real estate options, and beautiful natural environment, making it the best retirement destination destination.
(5) Facilitation of visa policies for emerging countries such as China
China and Costa Rica signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the tourism sector as early as 2007. The Costa Rica Tourism Office (ICT) announced that from March 1, 2021, the tourism industry in Costa Rica will gradually open to Chinese tourists. Chinese tourists from Beijing and Shanghai do not need to apply for visas in advance, but only need to pass through any registered Costa Rica. Travel agencies can purchase travel packages to enter. Chinese tourists have high purchasing power and are interested in Costa Rica's natural beauty. In 2019, 16,847 Chinese tourists entered Costa Rica. According to Colombian Tourism Office (ICT) data, about 10% of China's population travels internationally, or about 140 million people. In order to take full advantage of this advantage, the Colombian government has decided to exempt tourists from Beijing and Shanghai from visas, and the entry application will be confirmed within 72 hours. In the future, visa processing for Chinese tourists to Colombia will be more and more convenient, which will greatly promote the development of tourism.
