Tourism Propels Jet Fuel Sales

The tourism industry continues to be robust in Costa Rica, with 15.1 percent growth in the first trimester of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007.

Jet fuel sales reflected that growth. The National Oil Refinery (RECOPE) reported that A-1 jet fuel sales grew by 24 percent in April, compared to the same period last year.Total sales of A-1 jet fuel rang in at 22.5 million liters, compared to 18.2 million liters for April 2007.

Eighty-three percent of fuel sales transactions occurred at JuanSantamaríaInternationalAirport, with the remainder at Daniel Oduber (13 percent) and Plantel La Garita (4 percent) airports. The Limón airport’s share was negligible.

The rising price of fuel has not grounded tourists so far. The first four months of 2008 saw the price of jet fuel increase by 8 percent locally, from ¢512 to ¢553 per liter. It takes about four liters to equal one gallon.

The first quarter’s tourism growth puts the country well on track to surpassing last year’s totals.

According to the Costa Rican Tourism Board, roughly 1.9 million people visited Costa Rica in 2007, an 11.5 percent increase over 2006.

Increased flight volumes to Costa Rica helped boost numbers in 2007. Almost a dozen airlines either started service to Costa Rica or added new flights.