Saturday, October 4, 2008

Guanacaste now has a tourist information center

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

For tourists, information about the place they are visiting is a very valuable resource that maximizes time, money, interests, and more. And now there’s way to find everything tourists need in Guanacaste, with the opening of the Tourist Information Center (CIG), located two kilometers south of the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia.

Guanacaste’s Tourist Information Center provides a centralized platform to educate residents, visitors and businesses about the great variety of services and products available in the region.

Guanacaste has become the center of tourism activity in Costa Rica, which demands this kind of service, previously available only in the capital city of San Jose. At CIG, tourists can come spend a nice time, while they enjoy a refreshing beverage and, in only 10 minutes, take a visual tour of everything the country offers. All information is provided in English, allowing tourists to also ask questions and clarify any doubts they may have, thanks to the center’s personalized attention.

As you are about to land in Costa Rica, these and other questions may come to your mind: What can be done in 10 minutes? Where are the best canopy tours? Where can I find the best food? Where are the fish biting today? Where can I find a soft pillow and clean sheets at a good price? What would be the best option for investing in a property in Costa Rica? Where are the most popular real estate developments? Where can I find an honest, responsible architect and builder? Who can help me furnish or remodel my house? Where do I find local artisans?

If that’s the case, simply ask a member of CIG’s team of professionals, who will be wearing distinctive shirts with the word “Ask me.” They will be ready to provide you with answers to your many questions. Concierge services will also be available to supply you with questions that might make your dreams reality whether you are vacationing or have made Costa Rica your home.

CIG is all about helping. And so, if in addition to having your questions answered, you are interested in lending a hand, you’ll have such an opportunity here. You can join in charity activities for the community, which benefit the Salesian Ladies Association (a nonprofit that helps single mothers) and the Foundation for Assistance to Abused Children. CIG invites visitors and residents to help choose a third charity to help. You can let your voice and commitment be heard by submitting your petition at CR411.com. The Tourist Information Center will support the petition through additional votes. Your vote must be submitted through a verifiable e-mail address and must be received by Oct. 15, 2008. Encourage your friends and family to submit a vote, and look for results in this newspaper.
There’s limited space to advertise at the Tourist Information Center, so those interested in doing so please contact us ASAP. Just ask Randy. In only 10 minutes you could find out how to be a part of the Tourist Information Center of Guanacaste!

Marina Papagayo would begin operating in January 2009

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

The Marina Papagayo project, which is currently under construction in Bahia Culebra in Guanacaste’s popular Gulf of Papagayo, is expected to begin operations in January of next year, according to project director Roberto Kopper.

Construction of the marina began in January 2007, with total projected capacity for 382 boats. With an investment of $15 million, developers have said this marina would offer the best facilities to be found in the region, among them government services, storage, parking, fuel stations, watercraft repair, lodging, state-of-the-art communications technology, and much more.

The project is located in the Playa Sombrero sector and covers a total area of 44 hectares, 33 of which are occupied by the marina itself. The development is part of the Gulf of Papagayo Tourism Development Project, and thus complies with the guidelines established by the Costa Rican government for development of this tourism hotspot.

It is estimated that the current construction stage is generating a total of 470 direct jobs, with 360 more jobs to be had when the marina begins operating at full swing.

A very important step in the construction process took place last week, when the floating docks for the marina arrived from Cape Canaveral, Fla. The blocks, built by ShoreMaster, were shipped to Papagayo on the M.V. Tuxpan Reef ship. ShoreMaster has also built the floating docks for the modern Long Beach, Calif. Marina, which has capacity for 1,200 boats.

Last week, the Costa Rican press was invited to the construction site to learn more about advances in the project, and even though it’s evident that much is still to be accomplished, Kopper indicated that the marina would be ready in about six months.

In addition to placing the newly arrived floating docks, work is currently being done on the building that will house immigration, customs and other services.

Developers pointed out that by January of 2009, 180 slips will be ready, plus the above-mentioned services. In the project’s second phase, 200 more slips will be added, possibly in 2010.

Access to the marina will be public, via National Route 253, which begins at the Gulf of Papagayo intersection at Guardia. The road will be rehabbed from there to the marina.


Complying with conservation guidelines

In the process of bulding the Marina Papagayo, its developers claim that they have complied with all guidelines stipulated in the master plan, which was okayed by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the government entities charged with supervising this kind of infrastructure — including the Inter-institutional Commission on Marinas and Tourism Docks (CIMAT), the Environmental Technical Secretariat (SETENA), municipalities, and others.

The project has also received constant supervision from the National Museum and the National Archaeological Commission, due to the fact that there are archaeological remains in the construction area — specifically pre-Columbian stone ponds, which Indigenous cultures in the region used for fishing.

Archaeologist Silvia Salgado has been working as part of the marina project, coordinating work between Marina Papagayo and the National Archaeological Commission, not only for the rescue, conservation and “visualization” of these ponds — but also for conducting research on them and exhibiting them to the public.

Careful attention also had to be paid to environmental issues in the design, construction and operation of projects of this sort. And again, Marina Papagayo spokespeople indicate that the development has followed the country’s conservation policies very closely.

Proof of that is that the project’s master plan was approved by all government entities in charge of supervising this type of endeavor. Additionally, during the construction stage, the developer must file bimonthly reports to SETENA and CIMAT, among other entities.

The person in charge of environmental issues for Marina Papagayo is biologist Giovanni Bassey, who said the project is “harmonious with its surroundings.”

One key issue that has been on the table regarding this project is sedimentation and the impact on marine ecosystems of the marina.

“Currently, we are conducing work to control sedimentation and monitor ecosystems. “For example, we are using for the first time turbulence curtains in the water, and peripheral canals have been built to control and channel the water, thus avoiding the movement of soil. Also, buoys have been placed in areas of interest, and the Bahia Manzanillo coral reef in monitored daily along with the University of Costa Rica’s (UCR) Marine Research Center (CIMAR),” said Bassey, who added that the marina will also implement policies for using recycled waste in landscaped areas.

Bassey also indicated that those providing services to the marina must abide by environmental rules, and there are economic sanctions in place for those that disrespect such norms. In fact, he said, some have already been penalized, but the issues have been minor and no contracts have been rescinded.


A growing market

Despite the U.S. economic slowdown and the international crisis generated by high fuel and food prices, the marinas market continues to grow, and Marina Papagayo is seeking to capitalize on such behavior by becoming the best option for taking care of luxury yachts coming to Costa Rica to enjoy its natural treasures.

Daniel Eaffaldano, a world-class marina consultant, said that construction of high-end yachts continues to grow, especially boast larger than 80 feet.

For example, while in 1997 240 such yachts were built, in 2007 the number reached 940. Such figures appear to confirm the thought that the marina market is growing and that Costa Rica, which attracts visitors thanks to its biodiversity, surfing and famous sports fishing, seems to be well-position to benefit from these trends.

Costa Rica Masters to bring professional golf to Guanacaste

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

(Infocom) — Everything is ready for Costa Rica to re-immerse itself in the world of professional international golf, thanks to the Costa Rica Masters 2008, which will be held in Guanacaste’s Reserva Conchal Golf Club next Dec. 11-14.

The tournament was officially announced by Tour de las Americas (TLA) and the Canadian Tour, as part of a partnership between the two tours that will alos include tournaments in Chile and Argentina later this year.

In addition to being the first joint competition between TLA (the men’s professional golf tour for Latin America) and the Canadian Tour, the Costa Rica Masters will mark a new era in the country’s golf scene. With a purse of $125,000, the event will be the first at this level ever to be held in Guanacaste, which is now home to many high-quality courses that have made Costa Rica famous as a premiere golf destination.

Both TLA and the Canadian Tour, which are associate members of the International Federation of PGA Tours, published press releases last week making official the tree-country tours they will hold together.

The announcement comes at a time when golf has become an important source of foreign currency, employment and hotel occupancy for Costa Rica, which welcomes 34,000 tourists every year who come here exclusively to play golf.

Golf tourism is generating approximately $87.6 million annually in food, lodging and recreation expenses, in addition to sales of sporting equipment. Most golfers who come to Costa Rica are individuals of high purchasing power who take advantage of playing the game to do business with colleagues and new clients.

In a release issued by both tours, the director of the Costa Rica Masters, Ricardo Valdivieso, said: “We are very pleased for being able to make the new Costa Rica Masters a reality, as this tournament will proudly put the country back in the international golf scene.” He added that the tournament is proud to taking high-level professional golf for the first time to the province of Guanacaste, where golf and tourism development are growing by leaps and bounds.

“We thank Tour de las Americas and the Canadian Tour for their support, as well as Reserva Conchal Golf Club, which opened the doors of its spectacular course designed by the famous Robert Trent Jones II,” Valdivieso said.

The other two tournaments of the joint tour will be held Nov. 27-30 in Chile (50th Anniversary of the Sports Frances Open) and Dec. 4-7 in Argentina (Torneo de Maestros at Olivos Golf Club). Costa Rica will be the last leg of the trio. The tournaments will combine for a grand total of $435,000 in prize money.

The great business potential of golf and Costa Rica’s reputation as an exotic destination have contributed to the emergence in the past few years of new courses designed by internationally recognized golf stars, including Robert Trent Jones II, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer and Mike Young.

The number of golf courses is expected to climb in Costa Rica in the short term, as at least six new projects are underway, several of them in Guanacaste.

Environmental guide for construction issued

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

(Infocom) — Beginning last Aug. 11, a new Environmental Guide for Construction became effective in Costa Rica. Builders must now abide by the new rules during the process of Environmental Impact Evaluation (EIA) of their projects as part of the construction phase and permits stage.

The guide’s goal is to serve as a reference tool for orderly, systematic planning and execution of environmental measures for prevention, correction, mitigation, minimization or compensation of construction-related activities that could cause significant effects to the environment. The document will also become a way of standardizing the implementation of environmental actions as part of government efforts to achieve consensus and improvement of the EIA process. Furthermore, the guide will be applicable to any construction project in its early stages.

The guide consists of two parts: 1) environmental measures for specific actions, and 2) environmental management divided by topics, including aspects such as selection of land for development of urban infrastructure as well as the planning and design phases of a project, plus construction planning. Included in this guide are also rules regarding forest coverage and protected areas, storage of construction materials, construction equipment and machinery, quality of construction materials used in the project, and storm-water management.

Other topics addressed in the guide are worker security and occupation hygiene; installation of urban services; landscaping; social aspects of the project; waste water and air quality; preservation of cultural heritage; natural risks management; and integral environmental management and shared responsibilities.

The new guide is of great importance for regions such as Guanacaste, which currently has one of the highest rates of construction in the country. In the particular case of hotel development, a study by the Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels — entitled “Impact of the Hotel and Real Estate Growth in some Coastal Areas of Guanacaste” — found that in the case of large projects, it’s expected that more and more of these developments will combine both lodging and real estate construction (two examples being Peninsula Papagayo and Reserva Conchal, among others).

According to the Federated Association of Engineers and Architects (CFIA), Guanacaste is fourth in the country in construction permits issued, with 347,590 square meters of construction — or 15 percent of the country’s total.

In addition to the environmental guide, on April 9 an executive decree was signed that regulates construction on Guanacaste’s coastal areas. The measure was issued to establish clear guidelines regarding construction in this region and to mitigate environmental damage — such as the recent cases of wastewater being dumped into the ocean by hotels and other businesses.

Action plan for Guanacaste unveiled

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

(Inmfocom) — The province of Guanacaste will benefit from the injection of 114.7 billion colones (some $225 million) between 2009 and 2010, as outlined in an Action Plan unveiled last July 25 during the President’s Cabinet meeting in Nicoya.

According to Planning and Economic Policy Minister Roberto Gallardo, this plan seeks to solve historical problems affecting the region, such as water and environmental management, poverty and lack of proper infrastructure.

The Guanacaste Action Plan was prepared by the Ministry of National Planning and Economic Policy (MIDEPLAN) in collaboration with municipalities, government institutions and private industry representatives, as well as with presidential delegates and Guanacaste legislators. Gallardo thanked all those sectors and individuals who contributed to the plan, which seeks to energize the province’s development.

The funds earmarked as part of this initiative will go to three key areas: integrated water resources management, solid waste management and regulatory plans; production, infrastructure and energy; and access to public services, education, health, housing and security.

The first target area will receive 14.2 billion colones; some 50.5 billion colones will be allocated to the second area; and the third priority will be given almost 50 billion colones.

A commission, led by the Planning Minister, will provide follow up to the Guanacaste Action Plan’s goals. Gallardo and seven province representatives will draft and semiannual and annual reports.

The second workshop for drafting of the plan took place recently, with participation from organizations responsible for development in the province. The June 6 meeting gathered 63 representatives from 45 public entities and eight community and private organizations.

Among the players in this process are national institution such as the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA), the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the Ministry of Public Education (MEP), the Ministry of the Environment and Energy (MINAE), the Police Force, the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS), and the Costa Rican Fishing Institute (INCOPESCA). There are also regional organizations, including the Liberia Chamber of Tourism and the Abangares and La Cruz Associations Union.

Workshop participants utilized the information provided by municipal representatives in the previous meeting.

At the second workshop, attendees spoke about potential solutions to Guanacaste’s most pressing problems. Proposals were compiled by MIDEPLAN functionaries to be used in drafting the Guanacaste Action Plan, which was then presented before President Oscar Arias on the anniversary of Guanacaste’s annexation to Costa Rica.

Almost 130,000 visitors came through Liberia airport in first semester of 2008

Source: http://www.journalcr.com
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

(Infocom) — A total of 129,623 people arrived in Costa Rica via Liberia’s Daniel Oduber International Airport during the first half of 2008, 10,883 (9.16 percent) more than during the same period last year.

According to data obtained from Daniel Oduber and San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, plus visitation estimates provided by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) that include other ports of entry, Costa Rica received 1,030,000 tourists in the first semester of this year, or 89,178 more compared with the same period in 2007.

Even though these are not official numbers, CANATUR said they point to important growth in local tourism trends.

However, it is forecasted that the global crisis resulting from sky-high petroleum prices could impact the number of visitors arriving in the country during the rest of the year.

“These estimates and forecasts reveal very encouraging data for Costa Rica’s tourism, despite the difficult economic conditions of the day, both external and internal, that are affecting the growth and development of this sector,” said Gonzalo Vargas, president of CANATUR. “We can say based on the performance of this first semester, Costa Rica is still well liked by foreigners as an ideal place to enjoy their vacation time.”

The visitation estimates unveiled also underscore the fact that both the Liberia and San Jose airports saw increases in passenger influx. During the first semester of 2007, some 595,405 tourists arrived through Juan Santamaria, while during that same period this year the number jumped to 673,701, for a 13.1 percent increase.

But not all is good news. Vargas explained that the effects of some external variables — such as escalating fuel and food prices plus the U.S. economic slowdown — will possibly begin to be felt in Costa Rica during the rest of 2008. That’s why he called on business owners to be more careful during this period before the 2008-2009 high tourist season begins.

Additionally, government officials in charge of the country’s monetary policy have warned about the strong economic adjustment Costa Ricans will face during the second semester of this year, due to the impact of international markets and direct effects related to high prices of oil, steel and food.

The Costa Rican Central Bank has also informed that accumulated inflation in the past 12 months reached 13 percent in June, generating an increase in the prices of basic goods and services. The prize of the U.S. dollar compared to the colon has also gone up, while national production of goods slowed in the first quarter of 2008 to one of its lowest levels in the past two years. Meanwhile, exports were reduced considerably due to the economic crisis in the United States — Costa Rica’s main commercial partner.

“The Costa Rican tourism sector must be prepared to feel the negative effects of this situation, reflected in the reduction of purchasing power of the local population to go on vacation or make one-day trips,” Vargas said.

The CANATUR president added that the tourism industry must continually work to guarantee the sustainability of Costa Rica’s top economic activity — which generates $1.85 billion annually, or 8 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 20 percent of total exports, and 450,000 jobs.

And although Vargas acknowledged that the numbers looked good for the first semester of 2008, it’s very possible that Costa Ricans will opt for limiting their income for leisure and recreation, resulting in a slowdown of local tourism — which in 2007 represented 1.3 million citizens and foreign residents traveling around the country.
“As a priority, the local population will take care of its basic needs. We see how, as interest rates have gone up recently, the amount in colones that is paid for loans will be higher, again affecting the percentage of disposable income available for recreation,” Vargas explained. “We must add to that the already mentioned increases in fuel and food costs, which for the moment are driving up inflation. And the tourism industry is not exempt from this situation.”

CR tourism grows at three times the international rate

Source: http://www.journalcr.com

Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com

(Infocom) — Despite the adverse conditions of the world economy due to the rise of fuel prices, the economic slowdown in the United States, the international food crisis and the ever-present threat of terrorism, Costa Rica continues to perform well in terms of the number of tourists coming here.

According to the latest World Tourism Barometer issued by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Costa Rica has experienced a very positive performance in terms of tourist influx, remaining in the two-digit growth level, despite the fact that international travel only attained a 5-percent growth average during the first four months of 2008 — one percentage point above what was expected at the beginning of this year.

Costa Rica’s exceptional numbers were highlighted by UNWTO in its June report, news that Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides was glad to receive.
“It’s very satisfactory to us that as part of the positive worldwide growth that the tourism industry has posted in the first few months of this year, Costa Rica has remained among the group of countries with the most dynamic performance and the highest increases in the arrival of international tourists, in the two digits, and in our case, having three times the world median,” Benavides said. “This pushes us to continue doubling efforts to keep the current economic uncertainty due to high petroleum prices from impacting us as much as far as the tourism activity, but also allows us to see the coming months with a very positive outlook.”

As the time has gone by, Costa Rica has continued to venture into new tourism market niches with the objective of expanding its product supply and provide a wide range of options and services to visitors. The results are noteworthy: between 2003 and 2007, the country’s tourism activity posted a 56 percent growth, going from 1,238,000 to 1,926,000 visitors, which has contributed to an increase in the range of products offered by the local industry.

During the first five months of 2008, tourist arrival in Costa Rica grew by 15.6 percent, and estimates indicate some 2.1 million visitors will have arrived here by the end of the year — at least 200,000 more than in 2007, according to data from the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR). Such data also indicates that the main attractions sought by tourists are sun and beaches, nature and adventure, and ecotourism. However, rural tourism, congresses and conventions, and medical tourism and niches that have helped diversify the country’s tourism product, reaching more segments and sectors of the market.
Another factor contributing to the success of Costa Rica’s tourism in the midst of adverse conditions is that the country hasn’t faced reductions in flights, which has occurred to other nations in the region. According to the June UNWTO barometer, tourism growth was fastest in regions such as the Middle East, North-East and South Asia, and Central and South America. The report highlighted nations such as China, Japan, the United States, Costa Rica, Chile and Peru, among others, which have managed to post positive two-digit growth.
UNWTO believes that, although consumer confidence indices show an increasing degree of uncertainty, international tourism has proven to be resilient in similar circumstances in the past and able to cope with various types of shocks, including security threats, geopolitical tensions or natural and man-made crisis. Accounting for these factors, coupled with a slower but still positive economic growth, international tourism is as yet expected to keep growing at a solid pace in the mid-term, broadly in line with UNWTO’s Tourism 2020 Vision forecast long-term growth rate of about 4 percent.

Tourism market niches

One of the segments of the Costa Rican market that has experienced tremendous growth and recognition is medical tourism, in which visitors — in addition to schedule some sort of surgical procedure — also take advantage of the trip to visit various attractions the country has to offer.

Since 1995, the World Trade Organization has included Costa Rica in the list of top 20 countries with the best health systems and third with the highest life expectancy rates. This, in addition to the quality of health professionals here and the low cost of medical treatment, has helped position Costa Rica as a favorite destination for health tourism.

CANATUR President Gonzalo Vargas said this niche came about almost accidentally, as tourists who came here to relax began comparing prices for some health services and took note of the abysmal difference compared to prices in their home countries.

“Tourists have the option of coming to Costa Rica to vacation and, at the same time, have some sort of health or aesthetic treatment done. The cost of doing both activities is still less than having just the medical procedure done in their home countries,” Vargas indicated.

According to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), some 95 percent of the people coming here for medical procedures are from the United States, where costly treatments such as plastic surgery are not covered by insurance. In Costa Rica, ICT claims, they can save between 50 percent and 70 percent on the costs of such procedures.

Vargas said that among the most sough-after treatments are dentistry and orthodontic procedures, plastic surgery and other aesthetic procedures. Additionally, “Costa Rica provides the great advantage that there are already hotels specializing in the attention of patient post-operation, which undoubtedly provides for better chances of a quick and complete recovery,” Vargas said. “Together with the travel component and the excellent prices, these factors differentiate the country and allow us to have a competitive advantages over other nations (offering similar services).”

The head of CANATUR indicated Costa Rica is a privileged country, where many different options can be exploited to attract tourists and cover well the different niches of the travel market. He added that the National Tourism Development Plan 2002-2012 has set a goal of attracting 2.3 million foreign visitors and 1.6 million domestic tourists on a yearly average basis, reason why it’s essential that the different types of tourism activities be executed in a sustainable and environmentally harmonious manner.