The government has announced the opening of a consulate in Shanghai and other efforts to open others in cities where there is high purchasing power in an effort to attract people to the Costa Rican tourism sector.
From a statement issued by the Government of Costa Rica:
Tourism is one of the axes that form part of the strategic partnership relations between Costa Rica and China, with concrete actions leading to an increase in visits by tourists , the beginning of efforts to establish a direct flight and contact made by tour operators.
As the nation with the greatest potential visitors, the U.S. has chosen Costa Rica as the site of an Advisory Council to promote the northern country as a tourist destination throughout Central America.
After receiving complaints about the amount of paperwork that has to be filled out and visa requirements needed in order to visit the country for tourism as well as the slow speed of processing, the government has decided to implement the Brand USA Act, to streamline procedures and facilitate the promotion of the country as a tourist destination.
The effects are being felt from the pressures of regional competition where there are new low-cost flights to Costa Rica and declining hotel rates in Mexico, combined with a decreased performance of international promotional campaigns.
In the first quarter of the year the number of tourists increased by 2.5%, the smallest increase reported in the last four years.
What is needed is simple and effective governments that put an end to the bureaucracy that limits the integration of tourism in the region.
So says Epaminondas Marinakys, president of the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America (FEDECATUR). The official believes that the governments of the region must adjust their border rules in order to expedite the passage of tourists from one place to another.
From September 6th to 8th the first exhibition to promote tourism in El Salvador will be held, directed mainly at the U.S. market.
The event will be held at the International Center for Fairs and Conventions (Cifco). "This will be a meeting point for Salvadoran and international wholesale businesses with those who want to strengthen trade ties to boost sales of Salvadoran destinations in Canada, the United States and Mexico", reported Elmundo.com.sv.
On 13 May, Costa Rican businessmen will meet at a business forum in which they will study strategies to position Costa Rica as a destination for the European market.
From a press release by the National Chamber of Tourism of Costa Rica (CANATUR):
The European region represents one of the main markets for attracting tourists to Costa Rica, which, according to figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), received 284,996 visitors from Europe, which means about 12% of total reported income in 2012.
The natural revitalization in preserved areas such as Mombacho Volcano, Granada islets and the archaeological park on Zapatera Island are part of the recovery plan.
From a press release issued by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur):
Through means of more than fifty of activities to be held this year, INTUR will be united with tourism businesses, the Alcaldías del Poder Ciudadano de Granada, as well as other government institutions, as part of the relaunch of Granada as a tourism destination.
The Guatemalan Tourism Institute is attempting to attract new tourists to the country, through its participation in the 20th International Tourism Fair in Russia.
"We discovered that Russian tourists have a special interest in learning about Guatemala, attracted by the theme of the ancient Mayan culture and their living culture," says Peter Duchez, director of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (Inguat).
The largest and wildest of the Panamanian provinces holds promise for the development of ecotourism and attracting investor interest.
Well known as a jungle barrier which makes the border between Panama and Colombia virtually impassable, Darien is a protected area and a national park that was globally recognized as a World Heritage site in 1981.
UNESCO declared the park a Biosphere Reserve for Humanity and in 1983, it was named in the reserve category of biodiversity due to its extraordinary biodiversity and genetic value and because it is home to indigenous tribes that still live there and practice their ancestral customs.
With an investment of one million dollars the authorities have set a goal of attracting 72,000 foreign tourists during Easter week.
The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (CORSATUR) have joined forces to launch advertising campaigns, both inside and outside of El Salvador, to encourage foreign tourists to come and stay in the country during Easter week.
Using new strategies and promotions abroad, the sector is trying to consolidate the slow recent recovery.
Although slow, the tourism industry in Guatemala has recovered from the decline suffered in 2008, in the context of the international financial crisis.
So far this year, the amount of foreign currency that has come into the country from this sector totals $681 million, an optimistic figure when compared with the $700 million revenue in 2010.
The Guatemalan Tourism Institute has launched its “Chapín, orgulloso anfitrión” ("Guatemala, proud host") campaign to promote local tourism.
The campaign, to be developed through September, comprises a series of activities with the aim of encouraging Guatemalans to appreciate what the country has to offer in respect of natural wealth, regional customs and traditions.