President Abel Pacheco last week pointed out that the tourism sector has grown at an average of 11.2% per year since he took office in 2002.
Income generated by tourism also increased in 2005 by 48% compared to 2002, and investment in activities directly related to tourism grew 101%, Pacheco said on a national radio station Sunday.
The President pointed to a $100 million investment in the construction of seven marinas, which will allow the country to receive more than 1,600 boats used for tourism activities.
Pacheco also touted the first Tourism Investment Summit 2006, held last week to attract businesses from the United States, France and Mexico to invest in the construction of tourist infrastructure.
Tourism is one of the main economic activities in Costa Rica — in 2005 1.67 million tourists to the country generated more than $1.6 billion.
Pacheco took office in May 2002 and will be replaced this May by President-elect Oscar Arias (see separate story).
