Costa Rica Numero Uno in Tourism Competitiveness in Latin America
This according to the recently published Tourism and Travel Report 2009 by the World Economic Forum, where Costa Rica ranked 42nd out of 133 countries. Here is what the report says about Costa Rica…
Costa Rica is ranked 4th in the region and 42nd overall, up two places from last year. The country gets excellent marks for its natural resources (ranked 6th), with several World Heritage sites, a high percentage of nationally protected areas, and its very diverse fauna. Given the importance of the natural environment for the county’s tourism industry, it is notable that it ranks a high 27th overall for environmental sustainability, an area of measurable improvement since last year. However, safety and security remains a concern (72nd). Further, although its tourism infrastructure is well developed (33rd), with a strong presence of major car rental companies and abundant hotel rooms, ground transport infrastructure requires significant upgrading (103rd), particularly roads and ports, making travel in the country somewhat difficult.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Geneva-based non-profit foundation best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, which brings together top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world including health and the environment. It was also notable that for the region of the Americas, which also includes the U.S. and Canada, Costa Rica ranked 4th, only behind Canada (1), U.S. (2) and Barbados (3). I continue to be of the strong opinion that Costa Rica’s push for sustainable tourism development is reaping dividends that all of us who participate in the industry will enjoy for years to come. It is, for Costa Rica, the proverbial “silver lining.”