Costa Rica expected increase in tourists for 2009

Costa Rica, are more tourists in 2009.

Rioja Rent A Car advised that increasing the income comes from tourists to Costa Rica for the 2009-2010 season.

The Costa Rican authorities expect tourism revival in the second half of 2009.

Tourism Minister Carlos Benavides said Wednesday that Costa Rica "has suffered a recession," evident in the first months of this year, when "we received 16% fewer tourists compared to the first half of 2008."

However, he said that July and August are months that mark the beginning of the upturn in this important activity for the Costa Rican economy.

Benavides said that the surf world in the town of Jaco, in Central Pacific, the Summit of Tuxtla Mechanism, which will host a luxury hotel near the coastal town of Tamarindo, in the North Pacific, will help in reviving the sector.

The minister said in a press conference that the country will be "particularly grateful" the surf because it is one of the most practiced sports visitors, apart from golf.

Details for the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) detailed that 18% of the tourists that visit Costa Rica surfing.

For the championship, the ICT allocated $ 130,000 in marketing campaigns, logistics and promotion. Organizers hope the presence of about 20,000, between Costa Ricans and foreigners.

Benavides said that "a significant number of bookings for high season in November," with what he hopes the expected growth becomes a trend and definitely improve in 2010.

Last year tourism, which is the main source of income for Costa Rica, made revenues of nearly U.S. $ 2,000 million and represented about 7% of GDP.