The international chain began to operate in the Santa Ana district of the country's capital a hotel that has 143 rooms and halls for social events.
The new Hilton Garden Inn Santa Ana, will focus on attracting clients from the international and local corporate sector, since the meeting rooms are equipped with the most advanced technology to hold meetings, trainings, seminars, among other activities.
Due to Costa Rica's estimated average hotel occupancy rate of 52% by 2020, well below the 95% recorded at the end of 2019, businessmen in the sector expect that in this context of crisis there will be no peak seasons next year.
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.
Following the reactivation of air transportation and the easing of restrictions on foreign visitors, the Marriott chain announced the reopening of four hotels operating in the country and the Four Seasons will also reopen its resort in Guanacaste.
The year 2020 has been a complex one for the tourism sector in general, since due to the outbreak of covid-19 since March the hotels began a period in which they did not receive income.
Arguing that they will be able to maintain social distance in the common areas, the hotel guild in Costa Rica is asking the government to authorize them to operate at 100% of their capacity, and not at 50% as they are currently allowed.
According to the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH) the total use of hotel rooms does not represent a disadvantage since these spaces are used in family, social bubbles or individually.
Disinfection of the room keys, deep cleaning of the facilities and the guests' luggage are some of the protocols that will be applied by the hotels in Costa Rica at the time of opening.
After being closed for two months due to the health crisis resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, since May 16 the country's hotels with less than 20 rooms were allowed to open their doors to the public, but with the condition that they only occupy 50% of their capacity.
Because of the restriction measures decreed in the country due to the covid-19 outbreak, between March and April of this year the average hotel rate for two people decreased from $160 to $120.
According to the "Monetary Policy Report" prepared by the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR), in the face of the health crisis, hotel occupancy in the country has plummeted in the first four months of the year, from 90% in January to 15% in April.
Adapting spaces in the restaurant area, selling themselves to tourists as a clean and safe establishment, are some of the strategies that hotel sector businessmen plan to apply in order to adjust to the new commercial reality resulting from the health emergency.
The spread of covid-19 has forced health authorities to restrict the mobility of people and to close several establishments, with hotels being one of the most affected.
Hoteliers believe that the government's recommendation to return the full amount to guests who had rooms reserved, who for the moment will not be able to enjoy the service because of the health crisis, is unworkable.
A report by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) details that consumers have the right to a refund or rescheduling without penalty, as opposed to cancellation of reservations at the national or international level.
The group formed by Garnier & Garnier Desarrollos and Enjoy Group acquired 100% of the shares of Hotel Punta Islita, which is located in Guanacaste and was previously owned by Grupo Islita.
The companies participating in the transaction informed through a statement dated November 1, that after the sale of the hotel, the enclosure will undergo a process of improvement and expansion.
In the last decade, the number of hotel rooms in Costa Rica has increased at a 4% average annual rate, and in 2018 Guanacaste was the area that concentrated a quarter of the hotel offer, monopolizing about 26% of the total.
Figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) detail that between 2008 and 2018 the number of rooms dedicated to lodging increased by 15,474, from 41,759 to 57,233.
With the legal framework approved in Costa Rica, which regulates the provision of tourist rental services in housing through digital platforms, Airbnb executives anticipate a considerable drop in the number of hosts in the country.
On September 5, the Legislative Assembly reported that file 20865, the framework law for the regulation of non-traditional hosting and its intermediation through digital platforms, was approved for the second debate.
In Costa Rica, the bill to regulate the provision of tourist rental services in housing through digital platforms, which includes a 13% tax and would require suppliers to register, which would make this accommodation option more expensive.
The deputies approved in their first debate, file No. 20,865 Framework Law for the regulation of non-traditional hosting and its intermediation through digital platforms, reported the Assembly on August 28.
From 11 to 13 June, more than 150 companies will be exhibiting their products and services at the Expo Hotels and Restaurants, which will be held at the Pedregal Events Centre.
Businessmen, chefs and collaborators from hotels, bars, restaurants, butchers, cafes, bakeries, supermarkets, catering service, spa, canteens and other businesses in the sector will come together to address issues related to market trends and new products.
In Costa Rica, the Executive Branch urges deputies to move forward with the discussion of the project to regulate non-traditional hosting and its intermediation through digital platforms.
The project suggests that non-traditional hosting companies be required to register with the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), pay taxes and be registered with the General Directorate of Direct Taxation.
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%.