QCOSTARICA – For the first time Costa Rica has recorded one million American visitors, admitted at all ports, representing almost 40% of all international arrivals.
Mauricio Ventura, minister of Tourism, said the United States is still the main source of tourists to Costa Rica, registering a continuous growth in the past five years.
“Recording a million tourists from our primary market is impressive and very positive for the private sector and the country in general. This figure reflects the competitiveness of our destination, the quality of the tourist product we offer and authentic experience that we provide to all those Americans who visit us and recommend us,” said Ventura.
According to the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) – tourism board, 95% of all Americans arriving in Costa Rica did so by air at the Juan Santamaria (San Jose) and Daniel Oduber (Liberia) airports, and on average staying 10.7 nights and spending US$1,251 dollars.
In order to highlight the importance of receiving the million American tourists, the ICT coordinated with tour operators and United Airlines to select the millionth among the passengers of the Houston-San Jose flight.
The Kratchovil family was chosen as the representative millionth U.S. tourist.
“Today we make history by receiving a million tourists from a market with a potential of about 50 million, so the work continues to ensure the sustained growth, with the goal of consolidating ourselves as a major destination preference for vacationing,” concluded Ventura.
Carlos Granados, United Airlines manager in Costa Rica, said “United Airlines is honored to be part of this celebration, which reinforces the commitment of the airline for more than 25 years of flying to Costa Rica, promoting tourism and trade from its main distribution centers flight in Houston, Newark, Chicago, Washington and Denver. ”
Source: Ministry of Tourism, Casa Presidencial
