Costa Rica’s capital wins ‘Travel Oscar’

San José was named “Mexico & Central America’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination,” at the 2014 World Travel Awards held in Quito, Ecuador, last weekend.

Pablo Solano, executive director of the Costa Rica Convention Bureau, accepted the award at the ceremony last Saturday night.

“It is a great honor for us to bring home a World Travel Award. This award for us means that we’re really raising the bar of excellence in meetings, conventions and events in Central America,” he said.

Considered the “Oscars” of the travel industry, the World Travel Awards reward excellence in the global travel and tourism industry.

Tico hotels also won big at the ceremony in the Mexico & Latin America Category, adding seven more awards for the country.

“Our expanding infrastructure, easy air access, world-class lifestyle facilities, as well as warm hospitality and culture, contributed largely to making San José a key and strategic location for meetings and events in the region. Our offerings will grow with the opening of the first National Convention Center in 2015, which will house conferences, exhibits, as well as small and large meetings,” Solano added.

The full list of Costa Rican winners is:

Leading Meetings & Conference Destination: San José, Costa Rica

Leading Hotel: Zephyr Palace

Leading Airport Hotel: Barceló San José Palacio

Leading All-Inclusive Resort: The Westin Golf Resort and Spa Playa Conchal

Leading Boutique Hotel: Gaia Hotel & Reserve

Leading Conference Hotel: Real InterContinental Hotel & Club Tower

Leading Family Resort: The Westin Golf Resort and Spa Playa Conchal

Leading Green Hotel: Tabacón Grand Spa Thermal Resort