No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsTravel and TourismExpohore 2019 reflects growth of tourism in Costa Rica

Expohore 2019 reflects growth of tourism in Costa Rica

The Costa Rican Hotels and Restaurants Expo, Exphore, took over the Pedregal Events Center in Heredia from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

More than 150 business had booths set up in an attempt to lure in Costa Rica’s hotels — hocking everything from craft beer to frozen foods to industrial washing machines.

A valuable piece of the trade show is the ability for Costa Rica producers to connect with other homegrown business.

Expohore 2019 hotel expo
(Jacob Spetzler / The Tico Times)

Coby Lang, the owner of Zazel Hot Sauces, a family business, had a booth set up near the front of the events center. The trade show gives a chance for small operations like his to get beyond the numbers with potential buyers. His hot sauces are made from the chile perro, and he claims to have the only industrial hydroponic system growing the peppers in the world, a fact he cheerfully proclaims from behind his row of hot sauces set up to taste.

Across from his booth stood a row of taps showing off products made with Tico Birra, a beer brewing supply chain that specializes in helping hotels and bars set up their own brewing operations. On the other side of the event center was another beer booth, OS Beer, which has been working with Tico Birra since their beginnings as a brew pub in Los Yoses.

There were also several smaller events inside of the event, including a cocktail mixing show and chef competition.

Expohore 2019 hotel expo
(Jacob Spetzler / The Tico Times)

Exphore 2019 marked the trade show’s 19th year, and it has grown exponentially since it began. According to Karl Hempel, the director of Exphore, the trade show has gone from a mere 700 meters in 2000 to its current size of 5,000 meters. He attributes the growth of Exphore to the growth of the tourism industry in Costa Rica at large.

Trending Now

Panama Regains Control of Bocas del Toro After Violent Protests

Panama’s government has regained control of Bocas del Toro province after months of violent anti-government protests sparked by pension reforms, officials announced. The unrest,...

Costa Rica Hunts for Nicaraguan Hit Squad After Exile’s Assassination

Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is investigating whether a hit squad tied to Nicaragua’s Ortega-Murillo regime is targeting exiled critics on its soil....

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Why Costa Rica Feels Like a Safe Haven for This Longtime Expat

If someone asked me to sum up why I live in Costa Rica in 5 words or less, my answer could well be: “It...

Former Costa Rican Minister Arrested for Drug Trafficking, Faces U.S. Extradition

Costa Rica’s judicial police arrested Celso Gamboa, a former security minister and Supreme Court judge, on Monday, following a U.S. request for his extradition...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica