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World Tourism Day was celebrated on the 27th September. On this day the world tourism organization announced that there have been over 440 million worldwide tourist visits in the first six months of 2011.
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This number of worldwide tourist arrivals reflects a 5% increase and has set a new record. Many tourism experts agree that the industry shows great resilience despite economic uncertainty in the Western World.
Tourism Linking Cultures
This year World Tourism Day focused on the theme “Tourism linking cultures,” a celebration of tourism’s role in bringing together cultures through world travel. With millions of people travelling the world every day never before have people visited so many places and so many different cultures. As Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed, “World Tourism Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of tourism to global well-being. As we travel, let us engage with other cultures and celebrate human diversity. On this observance, let us recognize tourism as a force for a more tolerant, open and united world. ”
Costa Rica Tourism is flourishing
Allan Flores, The Costa Rican Tourism Minister said, “The celebration of the world tourism day encourages us to protect our culture as the principal differentiating element. Reinforcing our traditions will ensure more people fall in love with Costa Rica and our new
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tourism model.”
The President of the Association of Tourism Professionals, Yadira Simon believes that Costa Rica must concentrate on developing niche markets through innovation as well as eco tourism. “Our country has many elements that can still be developed to make it even more attractive,” she explained.
In Costa Rica tourism contributes 7% to the country’s GDP and approximately 7.5% in employment with more than 144,000 people directly employed. In the past 20 years Costa Rica tourism has grown by 600%, at a yearly percentage of 10%, more than double the global average.