Has tourism decreased?

From [ http://www.nacion.com/ln_ee/2008/junio/20/weeklyreview.html ] – Tourism grows.

“The arrival of tourists in Costa Rica continues increasing, in spite of the hardships of U.S. economy and the more expensive plane tickets resulting from the upward trend of fuels.

During the first five months this year, the number of visitors increased by 133,000 (16 percent) as compared to the same period in 2007. The U.S. remains the leading source of tourists (54 percent), followed by Europe with 17 percent.”

From [ http://www.journalcr.com/ ] – The influx of passengers at Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport reached 156,028 during the first three months of 2008, according to data provided by the Civil Aviation General Administration.

This number represents a 13 percent increase compared to the first quarter in 2007, based on estimates by the Guanacaste Chamber of Tourism (CATURGUA). According to CATURGUA’s statistical analysis of passenger traffic at Daniel Oduber during the recently finished high tourist season, 58 percent of travelers were men to 42 percent women. A little over half of them (51 percent) were individuals aged 30-49 years, with a college education (47 percent), and with annual incomes between $71,000 and $300,000.

The analysis also indicated that most of these travelers were retirees, followed by educators and business managers or administrators. Most of the tourists entering Costa Rica through the Liberia terminal came from the United States (74 percent), followed by Canadian residents (26 percent).

Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.com