The tourism sector is one of the hardest hit by the economic crisis generated by the outbreak of covid-19, because mobility restrictions, the closure of air terminals and the fear of tourists to be infected, have influenced the drastic fall in tourism activity.

See "Interest in Travel and Tourism: No Clear Direction"

In Costa Rica, whose economy depends largely on tourism, signs of recovery are just emerging. After virtually no visitors in April and May, between October and November there have been increases in the number of U.S. tourists arriving in the country.

In this context, occupation levels are still far from those reported in 2019, and future forecasts are that it will hardly be possible to achieve income to face hotel costs.

Flora Ayub, executive director of the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH), told Nacion.com that "... between 2020 and 2021 there will be no high season. It will be a season of only slight recovery so that the companies will eventually reach the balance of their operations, without perceiving profits".

The drop in occupancy levels is combined with a drop in average rates. According to a survey conducted by the CCH in early December, the average rate in 2020 is 34% lower when compared to what was reported in 2019.

According to Ayub, this context has slowed down the re-hiring or hiring of workers, which is still at low levels.

According to research by CentralAmericaData, between July and October 2020 the number of Costa Rican consumers who explored options for renting a vacation property via the Internet increased by 400%.

Source: Nacion.com

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