Costa Rica to up focus on tourist dispersal in bid to cut overtourism threat
Harry KembleCosta Rica wants to grow the number of recognised tourist destinations in the country over the next 12 months as it looks to reduce the risk of tourist overcrowding.
The Central American country currently has 33 tourism development centres, with the government hoping to identify another five to grow this to 38 in 2025.
Speaking to TTG at WTM London on Wednesday (6 November), Costa Rica’s tourism minister William Rodriguez confirmed potential new destinations include beaches and mountainous areas in the south of the country.
However, he declined to elaborate on which destinations were in the running to join the programme. Each new destination receives investment from their local government.
Outlining why the tourism development programme needed to expand, Rodriguez said: “The programme helps tourists discover new areas of Costa Rica and reduces the risk of overcrowding.
“We will develop the south of the country and remove any chance of us having the problems parts of Europe have had. We want to spread out tourism.”
On airlift, discussions are ongoing with British Airways to increase flight options. BA is currently scheduled to operate three flights a week between the end of October and April.
But Rodriguez added: “We would like BA to fly to Costa Rica all year. We would also like to see BA fly from Heathrow as well as Gatwick. We’re working on this, and we have spoken to BA this week.”
However, he revealed BA had cited a lack of aircraft as one issue preventing it from flying year-round to Costa Rica. “British Airways needs aircraft to go to Spain during the summer season,” he continued. “It seems British customers would prefer to take short-haul flights to Europe."
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