costa rica With economic growth comes an improved meetings infrastructure By Rosa Laufer
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t a breakfast in New York that preceded the New York International Food Show this past June, Maykool Lopez, the Director of Procomer, Costa Rica’s official trade promotion office, joked that the country was no longer a “banana republic, but more of a pineapple republic.” As far as agricultural exports are concerned, bananas are actually the country’s second-largest export. On a more serious note, Lopez told those in attendance of the diversity of Costa Rica’s economy. He explained that while food and agricultural exports may have brought him to the gathering that morning, technology, manufacturing and tourism each play a significant role in creating an environment conducive to the country’s health and welfare. Costa Rica’s growth, explained Lopez, is rooted in its free and mandatory education system for citizens, coupled with the abolition of its armed forces in 1949. Freed from the burdens of funding a military, the country has invested a significant portion of its gross domestic product back into its citizenry, which has resulted in “the best educational system in Latin America, and a highly skilled workforce.” The workforce continues to develop the country’s economy, producing and manufacturing products for export around the globe, and expanding the service economy created by tourism. One indication of Costa Rica’s economic health is a new international airport slated for completion in 2027. Currently, the country is reached primarily via two major airports: one in Liberia, a newer airport gaining popularity with travelers visiting the Pacific Coast; and the other in the capital of San Jose. Major carriers service both airports with year-round and seasonal flights from multiple gateway cities. The meetings and events industry is also a beneficiary of the economic growth. Opening in San Jose by the end of this year
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The Arenal Volcano and denizens of the rainforest (above) are among Costa Rica’s scenic wonders
will be the country’s first major convention center, the Costa Rica Convention Center (CRCC). Construction began this past February on the facility, which will be comparable in size to convention centers found in many major European cities. Costa Rica President Luis G. Solis declared during a ceremony commemorating the construction that the “[CNCC] will benefit the entire country, and without a doubt it will invigorate the tourism industry.” He added that the CNCC “will better the image of the country as a consolidated tourism destination.” In a similar vein, Costa Rica Minister of Tourism Mauricio Ventura noted that the CNCC establishes “a precedent in the history of tourism in Costa Rica, with the hopes of competing in the global industry of meetings.” Without a doubt, the new convention center will do wonders Facilities & Destinations 2017 Summer / Fall