Tuesday, July 23, 2024 Costa Rica has experienced a remarkable rise in tourism, reporting a 14.5% increase in visitors during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This impressive growth is highlighted in a detailed semi-annual report released by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
From January to June 2024, a staggering 1,532,443 tourists visited Costa Rica, primarily arriving by air. This influx represents a significant 14.5% increase from last year’s figures.
According to the ICT, 92% of these visitors arrived by plane, with the majority coming from the United States and Canada. Tourism Minister William Rodríguez expressed his excitement about the report’s findings, stating, “The outstanding results of the first semester of 2024 show a dynamic, growing, and solid tourism sector.” This growth underscores Costa Rica’s resilience and thriving tourism industry.
The latest numbers reflect a full recovery from the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the tourism sector in 2020 and 2021. Tourism is a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s economy, contributing 8.2% to the national GDP and serving as one of the largest sources of foreign exchange.
The ICT is optimistic, predicting a record 2.8 million tourists by the end of this year, up from 2.4 million in 2023.
North America remains the primary source of tourists for Costa Rica, with three out of four visitors coming from this region. The United States leads with 61% of tourists, followed by.