Some 250 tourism businesses from across the country and the region on Thursday kicked off the 29th edition of Expotur, a trade fair where local and international firms promote Costa Rica as a tourist destination through some 6,000 business appointments scheduled for the two-day event.
The fair is organized by the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT) at the San José Wyndham Hotel, where some 180 wholesalers from 36 countries will be seeking to establish business with local tourism firms.
ACOPROT expects that negotiations this year will generate some $15 million, which would exceed the $8.5 million negotiated last year.
During the fair local firms have a maximum of 20 minutes to present their tourism products and services to wholesalers, with the goal of closing new deals. Negotiating rounds will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on both days and will be closed to the general public.
Public activities will take place over the weekend, when firms will be offering promotions and special prices for local tourists.
The fair will be open to the general public 12-6 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is ₡1,000 ($2), and entrance for children under 12 and seniors is free.
Expotur generates an average of 70,000 new tourists to the country each year, ACOPROT said. For more information, visit:Â www.expotur.com.
