Monteverde, Costa RicaWe are all very well aware that Costa Rica is indeed a paradise: pristine beaches surround the entire country with clear water and stunning views; the soil is rich and many vegetables are grown and commercialized every year as part of the best products; rain forests protect and hold beautiful animal species. The culture is rich and very interesting and Costa Rica is probably one of the most developed countries in Latin America when it comes to democracy.

 

It is also well known that a huge part of the economy of Costa Rica relies in tourism and although they seem to take advantage of it, I just saw a country that has gone even further into advertising themselves as a vacation destination: Panama.

 

The type of tourism advertising used by Panama is way more impressive, where they actually sell a product combining the cultural and natural elements of the country itself, making me think that Costa Rica uses to much the “word of mouth” type of publicity. While following the curse of Latin American Idol and all the support Costa Rica has given to their participant, Maria Jose Castillo; I noticed that Panama, as tourist destination was one of the sponsors of the show, why didn’t Costa Rica took advantage of this opportunity?

 

The show was followed by millions of people all over the continent, people with acquisitive power to consider visiting the Costa Rica where one of the finalists to become Latin American Idol is from; wouldn’t you say it could be beneficial?

 

I wonder if maybe the opportunity didn’t knock, or that maybe no one thought it until it was too late, yet Costa Rica as a tourism giant should be more focus on how to increase the income of one of the most important businesses in the country.