The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) will double its marketing budget directed to promoting the country in the United States this year to help counteract the perceived drop in tourism due to the possible economic recession in the country.

Costa Rica Tourism — Over 50% of tourists to Costa Rica are from the U.S.

The $14 million dollars will be spent on internet marketing and to public relations agencies in New York. They will depict Costa Rica as a nearby exotic and affordable destination.

Last year’s marketing campaign to the U.S. (with a $7 million budget) resulted in attracting over 50 percent of the 1.9 million tourists that entered the country. Tourists from the United States represent over half of visitors to Costa Rica. With fewer funds, the ICT hopes that more marketing will keep the tourists coming.

In 2007, tourism to Costa Rica grew significantly by 10.5 percent. With the increased promotion to the United States, as well as markets such as China, Russia and Europe, the ICT hopes to see 7 percent growth this year.

Picture courtesy of Johnnyjet.com

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Filed under: Costa Rica News on January 28th, 2008