Costa Rica fully opens its air borders to tourism 1 November
Costa Rica will fully open its air borders, closed since March due to the covid-19 pandemic, before the start of the high season for international tourism in November, the government announced this Friday.
The country began in August the gradual reopening of its air borders to receive some foreigners, and as of November 1 it will be able to receive visitors without restrictions by nationality, said Tourism Minister Gustavo Segura.
This announcement is given with a view to the high season that begins at the end of November and will allow the generation of foreign exchange and jobs to increase, Segura said at a press conference.
He added that each tourist who visits the country activates a series of productive chains such as agriculture, fishing, commerce, transportation, tourist guides, hotels, restaurants, operators and artisans, which helps to reactivate the country's declining economy.
Government data indicates that only opening to the United States will help to recover 80,000 of the jobs lost due to restrictive measures in the world to contain the pandemic, and generate 1.5 billion dollars in 2021.
Costa Rica asks foreign visitors to present a negative covid-19 test to enter the country, and travel insurance that covers eventualities caused by the virus, such as medical expenses and the possible extension of the stay.
Tourism is key to the economy of Costa Rica, which received more than three million foreign visitors each year before the pandemic.
The sector, one of the hardest hit by the global health crisis, contributed 8% of Costa Rican GDP, equivalent to about $4 billion, and generated 600,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to official data.
This announcement is given with a view to the high season that begins at the end of November and will allow the generation of foreign exchange and jobs to increase, Segura said at a press conference.
He added that each tourist who visits the country activates a series of productive chains such as agriculture, fishing, commerce, transportation, tourist guides, hotels, restaurants, operators and artisans, which helps to reactivate the country's declining economy.
Government data indicates that only opening to the United States will help to recover 80,000 of the jobs lost due to restrictive measures in the world to contain the pandemic, and generate 1.5 billion dollars in 2021.
Costa Rica asks foreign visitors to present a negative covid-19 test to enter the country, and travel insurance that covers eventualities caused by the virus, such as medical expenses and the possible extension of the stay.
Tourism is key to the economy of Costa Rica, which received more than three million foreign visitors each year before the pandemic.
The sector, one of the hardest hit by the global health crisis, contributed 8% of Costa Rican GDP, equivalent to about $4 billion, and generated 600,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to official data.
