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CANATUR
The investigation stems from a periodic survey carried out by the Chamber’s Department of Research and Statistics.
It is conducted under the assumption that real tourism activity and the short-term perception of said economic activity affect confidence in the business environment and, as a result, have an effect on decisions made by entrepreneurs. Greater confidence and optimism presupposes an increase in the desire to make expenditures and investments and to obtain loans. On the other hand, lower confidence or pessimism presupposes an increased desire for less spending and investment as well as new budget constraints and organizational restructuring decisions at a business level.
"It is considered that when many entrepreneurs change their perspective at the same time, there is a widespread change in corporate behavior that positively or negatively affects tourism in the country and thereby the national economy. Therefore, what was perceived as a perspective becomes a reality in the medium term," noted Gonzalo Vargas, president of CANATUR.
The business sector survey during the First Quarter of 2009 showed a generally bleak picture, with the exception of the supply and services sector, which displayed positive numbers. Hotels and travel agencies are the ones hardest hit by the crisis.
Source: Cámara Nacional de Turismo Costa Rica
More on this topic
April 2009
In Costa Rica, the business sector expected a greater drop in the level of reservations for this past Easter.
The study "Perceptions of Costa Rican Tourism Entrepreneurs on the Effects of the Economic Crisis on the Tourism Industry" conducted by the National Chamber of Tourism shows that 71.2% of the entrepreneurs in the sector who in March had projected a decrease in reservations for Easter Week with respect to 2008, only 51.7% still believe that reservations were lower."
January 2010
In 2009, the arrival of international tourists dropped 9%, while domestic ones 15%. 2010 should be better.
The recovery will only be felt in the second half of the year, even though since November 2009 most statistics are showing a trend shift from negative to positive.
An article in Elfinancierocr.com analyzes the subject, with opinions from tourism entrepreneurs and institutions.
December 2009
The National Tourism Chamber expects Costa Rican tourism to grow between 3% and 4% in 2010.
This industry will close 2009 with a 10% reduction, the worst since 2002, when it fell 1.6%.
"Juan Carlos Ramos, president of the chamber of tourism, sees positive signals, such as improvement in the U.S. economy", reported Elfinancierocr.com.
November 2010
Roads closed, reservations canceled, passenger diverted to other regions, disruption of water, electricity and telephone services and damage to infrastructure.
Tourism was one of the most affected by the passage of Tropical Storm Tomas, leaving 6 out of 10 companies with some damage, according to a survey done by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) to 80 companies and tour operators in all tourist regions.
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