One of the most relevant sectors for the Costa Rican economy is declared in "Total Emergency and State of Calamity", as it is the first time in the "zero" season that total income ceases.
The Board of Directors of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) stated that all State institutions, Powers of the Republic, Autonomous and Semi-Autonomous Institutions, as well as Municipalities throughout the country, are required to collaborate in the broadest and most expeditious manner within the framework that the serious reality demands, in order to alleviate the situation of the Private Tourism Sector.
During 2018, hotels in Panama City reported an average daily occupancy of 4,602 rooms, 7% less than in 2017.
The latest data from the General Comptroller of the Republic detail that only in December the daily average of occupied rooms registered a 5% drop compared to the same month last year, falling from 4,544 to 4,307.
In 2018, the number of international tourists who arrived in the countries of the region fell 2% compared to 2017, in contrast to the increases of 4% and 3% recorded in North and South America, respectively.
According to the report of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) presented on January 21, the results recorded last year in Central America are partly because of behavior in some countries, as in the cases of Panama and Nicaragua were recorded declines in tourism.
Tour operators report the cancellation of almost 100% of the reserves for this year, and foresee that this situation will extend until 2019.
The crisis in which the country has been submerged since April 14 has brought a lot of negative consequences to the tourism sector.One of them is the one presented by representatives of the Nicaraguan Association of Receptive Tourism (Antur), since tour operators are registering cancellation levels of between 90% and 100%.
From January to October 2017, tourist spending grew by only 1.6% compared to the same period in 2016, significantly lower than the 13% recorded between 2015 and 2016.
According to figures from the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, during the first ten months of the year tourists who arrived in the country spent $3.798 billion, an amount that exceeds by $60 million the $3.738 billion registered in the same period in 2016.
Despite recovery since the years immediately following the crisis of 2008, the average hotel occupancy rate for 2013 stands at only 55%.
From a report by the Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES):
"... In Guatemala, the average age of a hotel is ten years old. However, there are several hotel companies over 30 years old, denoting their ability to transcend time. "
Among the causes identified are high operating costs and poor terminal infrastructure for tourists.
For the cruise season which begins on October 16 and ends on May 30, 2014 only 60 boats are expected to arrive at the port. Data provided by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), reveals that while in the 2008-09 season 127 cruise ships arrived, in the 2011-12 season only 71 came.
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.
Insecurity and the economic crisis in Europe are the reasons that only the site of Tikal is maintaining its usual flow of visitors.
Even though from June to August is the peak season for tourism in Europe and North America, operators in the sector have reported a decrease in the number of visitors, especially in the regions of Tikal, Peten, Guatemala Antigua, Sacatepequez, and Panajachel, Solola.
A survey of 355 tourism companies and hotels points to the cost of power and insecurity as the main obstacles for the tourism sector.
Hotel occupancy in 2012 was 52%, down 3% compared to the figures reported in 2011. The survey conducted by the Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES) reveals that 71% of operators did not have their expectations met last year regarding the number of tourists expected for Oxlajuj Baktun.
During the mid-year holiday demand for accommodation decreased by 12% compared to the holidays in 2012, recording only 45.52% in occupancy by Costa Ricans.
From a statement issued by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR):
Drop in hotel occupancy during mid-year holidays
• Demand decreased by 12 percentage points over the 2012 holiday.
• Occupation of domestic tourism was 45.52%.
The collection of the Fund for Victims of Traffic Accidents has caused tourism in the country to fall by 6% between January and May.
According to the Minister of Tourism, Jose Napoleon Duarte there was a reduction of 6,865 Guatemalan tourists. "If you take into account that the average daily spend by a Guatemalan tourist is $39.40 and the average stay is 2.2 days, foreign exchange losses amounted to $595,000," said the official.
Monteverde is a renowned destination for eco-tourism and adventure holidays which is home to more than 200 companies specialising in lodging, tours, entertainment, food and souvenir sales.
A statement from the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) reads:
In light of the poor condition of the road to Monteverde
• Hotels in the area are already seeing a significant drop in occupancy rates.
The cancellation of the FIFA U-17 Women's Football World Cup is a serious loss in many senses, but especially for the country's image and for the tourism sector in Costa Rica.
A statement from the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) reads:
Country loses showcase opportunity with the change of venue for the Under 17 Women's World Cup
Cruise tourist arrivals declined 28.1% in 2012 compared to 2011, totalling only 235,792.
In the opinion of Fidel Reyes, Director of Panamanian company FR Consulting, the situation was influenced by strikes in the province of Colon on the Atlantic.
For the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), the rising cost of fuel and the rerouting of several lines also contributed to the decline.