Tourism companies in hospitality, tour operators, and car rentals, among other sectors, traveled through three cities in Mexico to meet with 500 tourism agents to show them the charms of Costa Rica.
Tourism companies in hospitality, tour operators, and car rentals, among other sectors, traveled through three cities in Mexico to meet with 500 tourism agents to show them the charms of Costa Rica.
The tour led by the Pro Imagen Group Costa Rica included 21 national companies that traveled earlier this year to the capital of Mexico and the cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey.
Silvia Vargas, president of Pro Imagen, said that Costa Rica’s interest in Mexico is because that country is the third most important international tourist market for Costa Rica. Only last year, 106,793 Mexicans visited Costa Rica; and according to the studies of best prospects by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), there are a half-million Mexicans who would like to visit Costa Rica for tourism.
“We are really surprised by the responses in Mexico, because the presence of 500 Mexican agents exceeded our expectations. Now, it is our turn to do our work as a private company and close negotiations. It is also the mission of Pro Imagen to develop a series of educational talks to train Mexican agents, who are the ones who categorically promote the arrival of tourists to Costa Rica,” Vargas said.
Guadalajara and Monterrey
Pro Imagen Costa Rica chose Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey because they are among the largest and most developed cities in that country, have good air connections, and their residents have shown interest in knowing more about Costa Rica.
According to data from Costa Rican Immigration and the ICT, on average per month, the country receives between 7,000 and 10,000 Mexicans. Only in July of last year, 11,291 Mexicans arrived – this is, in part, because during that month they have school vacations. In 2017, 106,793 Mexicans visited Costa Rica.
On average, they stay 7.1 nights and spend US $119.60 per person per day. According to market trends from ICT, 67% like to come to Costa Rica as a couple and as a family, and 87% of those who come have a university education.
Among the activities that they enjoy the most are visiting the volcanoes, observing flora and fauna, sun and beach, local cuisine, and hot springs. They also like to purchase crafts and coffee.
A fact that draws great attention in ICT’s studies is that when you ask Mexicans who are interested in visiting Latin America the five destinations that come to mind, Costa Rica ranks second only to Argentina. Costa Rica is well above Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the Bahamas.