Source: http://www.journalcr.com/
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com/
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
(Infocom) — The quality and variety of its tourism products have earned Costa Rica being named the best Latin American tourist destination by readers of the prestigious magazine Travel Weekly for the third year in a row.
The award was presented to Costa Rican Tourism Minister Carlos Ricardo Benavides during the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) recently held in Madrid, Spain, where a Costa Rican delegation represented the country. The delegation included members of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUT), and the Costa Rican Tourism Professionals Association (ACOPROT).
Benavides said the award is a recognition of the Costa Rican tourism industry’s efforts to position itself among the best travel destinations worldwide.
“We are very proud to have been recognized in this category, and especially because the winners are chosen by important members of the U.S. tourism industry, which underscores the quality of Costa Rican tourism and commits us to continue improving as a destination,” Benavides said.
Benavides as well as his colleagues from CANATUR and ACOPROT agreed that the award is a challenge to maintain and improve the services the country already offers to tourists, and to incorporate others that are missing.
Patricia Duar, ACOPROT’s executive director, said that the awards the country continues to receive and its presence in tourism events of international importance show that Costa Rica can compete against destinations that have stronger market positioning and deeper pockets to promote themselves.
The Travel Weekly’s Readers Choice Award is decided through a vote among the magazine’s 180,000 readers, most of whom are part of the U.S. tourism industry —including travel agents, hotels, tour operators and supply companies.
Factors that contributed to Costa Rica’s victory included the high quality of its tourism products, the variety of activities travelers can enjoy in a single visit, the country’s exuberant natural attractions, and the warmth of its people. Costa Rica defeated top competitors in the region such as Brazil, Peru, Belize and Argentina.
The award was started five years ago, and Costa Rica previously won the Latin American category in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
Posted by Roger Vlasos
Broker/Owner
Century21 At the Beach
Playas del Coco, Guanacaste
Website: http://www.century21incostarica.com/
Email: roger@century21incostarica.com
