Jeff_Costa_Rica

The Costa Rican Tourism Institute released its projections for the year at a press event event last week. They always do this just before Christmas.

For 2010, it's expected that 2.08 million visitors will have arrived by the time the year ends tomorrow night. That is approximately equal to 2008, but up from 2009, which saw a decline over the previous year. (Thank the worldwide economic recession for 2009's decline in numbers.)

More than 60 percent of the visitors come from the United States.

Visitors stay on average 9.8 days and spend and average $954 each. That is down from previous years, when the figure was 11.4 days and $1,112 per visitor. It's a troubling trend, but not unexpected in the light of the recession.

volcanogirl

Thanks for posting this Jeff - it's interesting to see the numbers. Everyone on the board has certainly done their share!

tully

Thanks Jeff. The spending average seems really low, what does that account for? Just hotel, or everything - hotel, food, activities, taxis etc?

Jeff_Costa_Rica

In theory, the figure accounts for everything spent in Costa Rica, tully. Remember, it's an average. It goes a lot higher for many people or a lot lower too.

What's worrying the tourism industry is that the two numbers are going down. I think they're still respectable figures, but visitors are spending fewer days and less money in Costa Rica.

Percy

Thanks for the information Jeff

Happy New Year everyone

Deb15July

We're trying to do our part by returning in May 2011!!! Just wish the non-stop air fare would go down. Spirit has a really good price with a layover, but I've heard they are absolutely awful!!!

qwovadis

great info Jeff hope 2011 will bring better

business and revenue for all our CR tourism friends...

Happy New Year!

qwovadis

Deb so not buy all the negative hype on www.spiritair.com

they are a great econo carrier for me as a rule and I fly

them a lot.

For $25-50 you can upgrade to the big front seat fly

first class for a less than coach price.

Had a wonderful flight with them to South America

about a month ago.

Unlike CO/United which delayed me 2 hours finding a

flight crew without a comp or even an apology.

Now that is truly awful...

Deb15July

I flew to CR back in May on Delta non-stop for just over $400. Same flight now is over $800. Delta doesn't have the reputation it used to, and the Spirit price is currently around $300. I guess I should look into them.

Thanks qw.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Deb, we would all love to be able to fly nonstop everywhere, but if you're willing to do a connection, it'll open up a lot more options for you. I'd sure consider it.

Deb15July

Thanks Jeff...I will definitely consider the connection option. I usually get lucky and can get nonstop flights most places, since I live in a major hub. My nonstop last year to SJO was around the same price as flights with connections.