Day 3

"Hotel Fiesta"

Well today wasn't as adventurous as the last but it was very informative and educational. We all decided to remain at the hotel today and while remained inside we were introduced to four speakers who talked about various sustainable business entities that promotes the welfare of Costa Rica. Our first speaker was Senora Vanessa and she lectured about the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency, commonly known as (CINDE). During its 29 years, CINDE has attracted more than 200 companies to Costa Rica, including worldwide leaders such as: Intel, Baxter, St Jude Medical, Western Union and many others. CINDE ranks among the Top 10 best-practice Investment Promotion Agencies worldwide, according to the 2012 Global Investment Promotion Benchmarking of the Investment Climate Advisory Service of the World Bank Group. Some of the services provided by CINDE at no cost to the investing companies are: Assistance in the site selection due diligence process by providing detailed information on the country and its advantages, and organizing customized investment agendas; Meeting the investor’s needs, arranging meetings with: service providers, Government organizations, universities, Real Estate brokers, attorneys, accountants, industrial parks, and office parks; Facilitating direct contacts and links with potential investors from North America and other countries through CINDE’s office in New York; Once the company has been established in the country, CINDE provides specialized support for strategic aspects geared to new operational expansion projects or promoting product diversification. From her presentation I truly learned a lot of information on how strategic business structures can benefit from outsourcing their companies.

Development of Sustainable Tourism

The next lecturer that presented was Senor Miguel. He presented a lot of statistics on tourism in Costa Rica. He mentioned how tourism is sustainable in Cost Rica and what steps are vital for keeping the ball rolling. He said that the development of sustainable tourism must be seen as the balanced interaction between the use of the natural and cultural resources, the improvement of the quality of life among the local communities, and the economic success of the industry, which also contributes to national development. Sustainable tourism is not only a response to demand, but also an imperative condition to successfully compete now and in the future. Also he further explains that Since the late 1980s Costa Rica became a popular nature travel destination, and its main competitive advantage is its well-established system of national parks and protected areas, covering around 23.4% of the country's land area. The country also has plenty of beaches, both in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, within short travel distances, and also several volcanoes that can be visited with safety. By the early 1990s, Costa Rica became known as the poster child of ecotourism, with tourist arrivals reaching an average annual growth rate of 17% in 1986 to 1994.  According to the Costa Rican Tourism Board, 49% of international tourists visiting the country in 2011 engaged in activities related to ecotourism, which includes hiking, vegetation, wildlife, and bird watching, and visits to rural communities. However, most visitors look for adventure activities.

The third lecturer that spoke to us was Senor Beer. His presentation was on Trade Promotion/Management and how branding Costa Rica products is very imperative to their GDP. The Foreign Trade Corporation of Costa Rica, PROCOMER, is a public non-state, which is responsible for the promotion of Costa Rican exports.It was created in 1996 through Republic Act No. 7638, to assume the functions which, until then-carried Corporation Zones, the Center for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (CENPRO) and the National Investment Council. According to its founding law, PROCOMER is responsible for: Design and coordinate programs on exports and investment, technical and financial support to the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Comex), to manage special export regimes. Promote and protect the commercial interests of the country abroad. Centralize and streamline import and export procedures. Follow up to foreign trade statistics. Senor Beer told us that they have twelve locations around the world and at each location there is an Costa Rican director that is marketing their products and services all the time. The presentation had a lot of valuable information in regards to Costa Rican products and trades.

Our final lecturer of the day was Senor Alberto. During his presentation he gave us a synopsis on the various statistics about different topics that central america is facing. He tells us that the Estado de la Region, State of the Region, is an instrument from Central America to Central America, which analyzes and tracks the major challenges of sustainable human development by providing timely, accurate, complete and legitimate on the performance of the isthmus, strengthening capabilities dialogue and negotiation of civil society organizations and the state.

So, that sums up the things that I learned today during our lecturers. Stay tuned to tomorrows blog titled Day 4: Jurassic Park...