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Costa Rica hosts tourism seminar

Taiwan's tourism and hotel industries are encouraged to invest in Costa Rica and to take advantage of generous subsidies, Gina Guillen, the director-general of international promotion for Costa Rica, said in Taipei yesterday.

Taiwan and Costa Rica have had official diplomatic ties since 1941, one of the longest maintained by the island.

Speaking at the Costa Rica Investment Seminar in Tourism Infrastructure yesterday, Guillen said, "We encourage hotel investment in our country because it is a place where the weather is good all year long, so there is no low season for tourism."

Guillen, who arrived in Taipei on Monday for the seminar, said that Costa Rica offers special incentives designed to welcome Taiwanese investors in tourism, including a "60-year exemption on taxes" as well as help in building a hotel's infrastructure.

According to Guillen, tourism has been growing faster than expected in Costa Rica.

"We have reached a growth of 16 percent just in the past year," she said.

Eco-tourism

More importantly, she said, the Costa Rican government "advocates sustainable tourism" and has been keen on promoting eco-tourism by developing a legal framework for environmental protection in its constitution.

She said this allows the hotel industry and the environment to coexist in a positive way.

Last year, only 2,450 Taiwanese visited Costa Rica for tourism.

Vice Premier Wu Rong-i (吳榮義), who was present at the seminar, said that the Taiwanese government would prepare a fund aimed at helping Taiwanese businessmen invest in Costa Rica's tourism industry.

According to figures provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are about 20 Taiwanese companies in Costa Rica, but none are involved in tourism as the majority are in manufacturing.

Commenting on investments in the manufacturing sector, Guillen said that since Costa Rica is a member of the Central American Free Trade Association, manufacturers can enjoy extended benefits in other countries, such as the US and other Central American nations.

"Ninety-eight percent of goods locally produced enjoy tax-free privileges in the US market," she said.

Bruce Tien, general manager of the Omni International Express travel agency said that Costa Rica is a good place to invest in tourism instead of manufacturing.

"The country's political scene is the most stable in Central America, and its society is safe. Most people are happy, open-minded and healthy," he said.
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