The hoteliers union of Costa Rica reported that the occupancy level in the mid-year holidays of 2018 is 65%, 3% less than the average figure reported in the same period in 2017.
According to a survey carried out on June 29 by the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH), in which 80 accommodation centers were consulted, between the mid-year vacations of 2017 and this year, the average occupancy rate fell from 68% to 65%.
In Costa Rica, the hotel union includes 32 registered establishments considered luxury hotels, offering accommodation options with prices ranging from $160 to $30 thousand per night.
The wide diversity of tourists that the country receives explains the existence of a wide range of hotels, according to representatives from the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH).The hotel supply caters for both tourists looking to stay in one star hotels, to other more demanding customers, seeking higher-level alternatives.
In September and October hoteliers reduce or close their operations due to the low levels of occupancy recorded at this time of year.
Many of these companies send their employees on training courses or terminate their contracts as occupancy levels in these two months are at the lowest of the year. "... The situation is even more difficult, as it is estimated that the average occupancy will fall to 35%, and less than 30% in many cases," reported Nacion.com.
At least 10% of small B & B type hotels in Costa Rica are no longer active.
It has been estimated that in San Jose alone 10 hotels have closed their doors, however, it is not known how many of these types of establishments are operating in the country. "The information comes from knowledge held by private sector authorities, including the National Network of Small Hotels of Costa Rica (Renaph) and the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH), through which it can be inferred that they have been affected by the economic situation," reported Elfinancierocr.com.
According to the Chamber of Costa Rican Hotels, homeowners and private condominiums represent unfair competition in accommodation services for tourists.
According to Flora Ayub, director of the Chamber, the cost of staying in a house or condominium is lower than in a hotel, because they do not have to pay for items such as income tax, insurance or patents.