Devaluation Complicates Tourism in Costa Rica

Two thirds of the country's tourism businesses have been negatively affected by the 15% increase in the value of the Colon.

Friday, November 5, 2010

The tourism industry in Costa Rica, which represents 7% of the GDP, receives most of its revenue in Dollars and pays most expenses in Colones. This puts them as one of the sectors most affected by the sharp appreciation of the Colon.

A year ago, if a tourist paid $ 1,500 in a hotel for a stay, the establishment received C 862,500 Colones to cover their costs. That same tourist generates today C 757,500 Colones, a decrease of about $ 200, explains in an article the Tico Times.

Juan Carlos Ramos, president of the National Chamber of Tourism, said many hotels are in a precarious situation and may have to close their doors if the situation does not improve.

More on this topic

Costa Rican Tourism Affected by Volatility and the Fall of the Dollar

September 2010

Volatility in the foreign exchange market and a dollar priced under 500 colones are strongly affecting the Costa Rican tourism industry.

For example, lack of stability in the currency exchange rate is preventing tourism companies from evaluating how profitable an investment could be.

Costa Rica´s Choice: Low Dollar or High Inflation

November 2010

The loss of competitiveness in exports and tourism generates unemployment, but intervening in the exchange rate will generate inflation.

There seems no good solution to the problem Costa Rica has with the appreciation of its currency, which has meant a loss of competitiveness of its exports, especially agricultural, by about 5% annually over the past 4 years.

Exporters Less Competitive Due to Colon Appreciation

May 2010

CINDE stated that the increase in the value of the Costa Rican colon versus the U.S. dollar is negatively affecting the country’s exporters and diverting foreign direct investment.

Alberto Trejos, president of the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE), stated that the recent strong increase in the price of the Costa Rican currency is making exporters less competitive.

Exchange Rate Affects Costa Rican Tourism

October 2010

The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) explained the negative effects of exchange rate in the tourism sector.

CANATUR's analysis determined that current exchange rate generates negative effects on the sector in four main areas: drastic changes in the rules of the exchange rate regime, loss of competitiveness in the tourism industry, planning difficulty due to high volatility and tariffs to exchange rate benefits.

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