In the previous post I chastised the ATP for increasing the cost of entry into the country by imposing a $10 per person tourist charge. This is on top of a doubling of the airport fee to $40 per person. Miguel Lopez sent me this important article on the effect of the economy on Costa Rica tourism and how the Americans are cutting back dramatically on how much time and money they spend in the country. This is a very important article for all of us in the tourism industry to read, especially the ATP who's job it is to use the taxes collected from the tourists to attract more of them. Every additional barrier we raise costs us visitors. I say get rid of them all and put out the welcome mat.
From La Nacion
Tourists spending less time and less money in Costa Rica
Consumption decreased from $ 1,040 per visitor over 10 days to $ 855 in 9.5 days
1.9 million foreigners arrive this year, 180,000 fewer than in 2008
Hassel Fallas | hasselfallas@nacion.com
Published: 2009/10/26
Besides coming in smaller quantities, the tourists visiting Costa Rica they spend less time and money in the country.
In 2008, each visitor spent $ 1,040 in 10 days of stay, but this
year, because of the financial crisis, the amount was reduced to $ 855
in 9.5 days, according to the average figures provided by the Instituto
Costarricense de Turismo ( ICT), the National Chamber of Tourism
(Canatur) and the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels (CCH).
"The stay and consumption is lower, no doubt," said Alan Flores, Minister of ICT.
The situation will make this year the tourism foreign exchange
lose about $ 540 million (25%) over 2008, according to an estimate
of the Nation.
While last year's 2.089 million foreigners who were here left
revenue of $ 2.173 million, this year the amount will be about $ 1.632
million because the inflow of tourists to December would add 1.909
million (180,000 less).
The cumulative number of outsiders to December was determined by
projecting that the remainder of the visitation drop by 8.6%, as
happened in the 12 months ended in August.
Between September 2008 and came here last August from 1.943 million foreigners.
"The decline in consumption and the stay is entirely predictable,
the tourist cares more about their money, especially the Americans (in that
country comes 54% of our visitors). If they rented bigger cars before they now choose
economy, "said Gonzalo Vargas, president of Canatur.
Nationally, 110,000 people are directly dependent on tourism.
Until July, the sector layoffs totaled 4,100, according to the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS).
General Strike. Paul Solano, director of CCH, said the hotel industry is one of the hardest hit by the change in consumption.
Rodolfo Peña, Hotel La Siesta in Liberia, Guanacaste, confirmed
that his clients spend the night two nights now and not four as
habituated in 2008.
"Tourists are looking for savings. Where once stayed in a
hotel of four stars now stay in one of three and so on, "said Solano.
He added that five-star establishments circumvent the crisis
better because they have agreements with foreign operators that
generate them visitors continuously, though in smaller numbers.
"Small hotels, like La Fortuna and Monteverde, who have no money for marketing are the most affected," he said.
But Michael Kaye, founder of Costa Rica Expeditions, believes the
luxury segment itself is concerned. "It has fallen 25% (arrival), he
estimated.
