[dailyarchive/2004_11/exchange_rates.htm]
Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, November 12, 2004
 |
| BOUNCING back: Bungee jumping is one of dozens of adventurous activities available to a growing number of tourists visiting Costa Rica . The number of tourists this year is expected to be 20% more than last year, according to the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT). |
|
|
|
|
|
Region's Presidents Analyze
Immigration, Gangs and OAS
Candidacy
The Presidents of Mexico, Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras will meet today to examine various issues, including illegal immigration, juvenile gangs, and an eventual Central American candidate for the Organization of American States (OAS).
(Click for more)
Tourism Here Increases
20% Compared to Last Year
Costa Rica expects to receive 1.5 million tourists this year – a 20% increase compared to last year. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) estimates tourism will generate $1.5 billion in 2004.
(Click for more)
Floods Prompt Evacuation of
More Than 2,000 on Caribbean
The cold front that brought heavy rains to Costa Rica from Sunday to Tuesday prompted the evacuations of more than 2,000 people, mainly along the Caribbean coast and in the northern part of the country, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) said Wednesday.
(Click for more)
Costa Rica Expresses Its
Condolences for Arafat's Death
Costa Rica yesterday expressed “its condolences to the Palestinian people for the death of their president Yassar Arafat” and made a call “in favor of peace and reconciliation en the Middle East,” according to a statement made by the Foreign Ministry.
--AFP
November 12
Pet City
Event will include dog exhibits, makeup for children, contests, talks and more, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. today through Sunday at the Hipermás supermarket in San Sebastián ; Nov. 19-21 at the Hipermás in Heredia and Nov. 26-28 at the Hipermás in Curridabat.
Duermevela
Production by Corpus Erigo Contemporary Dance Group, 8 p.m. tonight Giratablas Theater, across from KFC, Los Yoses. Info: 823-3017, 255-0618.
Bolero Nights
Production with actress, dancer and singer Flor Urbina, 8 p.m. Saturday at Meridiano al Este, east side of La Primavera Gas Station in San José. Tickets on sale at Academias Baila SAP, Kurubande Cartago, San Ramón de Alajuela, Guadalupe, Tibás, Hatillo Centro, Heredia, Desamparados. Info: 224-0834, 234-0682.
Edited By Robert Goodier
Tico Times Staff
rgoodier@ticotimes.net
Region's Presidents Analyze
Immigration, Gangs and OAS Candidacy
The Presidents of Mexico, Costa Rica , El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras will meet today to examine various issues, including illegal immigration, juvenile gangs, and an eventual Central American candidate for the Organization of American States (OAS).
Mexican President Vicente Fox will host his colleagues, Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco, Antonio Saca of El Salvador , Ricardo Maduro of Honduras and Oscar Berger of Guatemala , in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez , the capital of the southern state of Chiapas , according to official sources.
Illegal immigration and gangs will be high on the agenda.
“We are going to talk about joint mechanisms to guarantee the ordered return, with full respect of human dignity, of people who immigrate illegally toward Mexico or try to continue to the United States ,” Fox said.
Mexico wants to bilaterally negotiate a migratory agreement with the United States with the aim that Washington “regularize” millions of undocumented Mexican workers who work in the United States , although the White House has said they do not want to promise “too much” in this respect, and to begin a program that would give temporary employment, not residency, to immigrants.
Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez mentioned last week the possibility of Mexico , Central America and Brazil presenting an immigration proposal to the United States together in the future.
The Presidents will also debate the topic of the proliferation of gangs in the region, a phenomenon Maduro said originates in the United States , because the gang members come from the northern country and take orders from leaders there.
An estimated 234,000 gang members are operating in El Salvador , Guatemala and Honduras .
The Presidents will probably also discuss an eventual Central American candidate for secretary general of the OAS, a position left open after the resignation of former Costa Rican President Miguel Angel Rodríguez, who is currently jailed and facing accusations of corruption (TT, Nov. 5).
--AFP
Tourism Here Increases
20% Compared to Last Year
Costa Rica expects to receive 1.5 million tourists this year – a 20% increase compared to last year. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) estimates tourism will generate $1.5 billion in 2004.
According to the ICT, 60% of tourists come to Costa Rica from the United States , Mexico and Canada , and 200,000 tourists visited from Europe last year. This year, the number is expected to rise to 250,000 visitors from Europe , including 45,000 visitors from Spain – 30% more than in 2003.
Tourism Minister Rodrigo Castro told the press he attributes the rise in tourism to the country's promotional efforts abroad and an increase in international flights – 140 more this year than last.
Industry analysts say another favorable factor is North Americans' fear of terrorist attacks after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001 . North American tourists now prefer to travel to nearby and relatively peaceful destinations such as Costa Rica .
In the early 1990s, when Costa Rica started taking advantage of its national parks and biological reserves to promote a successful ecotourism profile, tourism became the country's main economic activity.
According to ecological organizations, this profile is threatened by the recent spread of hotel chains that specialize in massive “sun-and-sand” tourism and are not compatible with environmental preservation.
--AFP
Floods Prompt Evacuation of
More Than 2,000 on Caribbean
The cold front that brought heavy rains to Costa Rica from Sunday to Tuesday prompted the evacuations of more than 2,000 people, mainly along the Caribbean coast and in the northern part of the country, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) said Wednesday.
Despite damage to homes, farms and some roads, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths resulting from the downpours.
Most of those who moved into temporary shelters as a result of the flooding have already returned home, the commission said in a statement.
Only a few Caribbean communities along the Panamanian border remained flooded, including Sixaola, Margarita, Bocuare and Celia.
In the southern district of Talamanca, which has more than 30,000 residents, 454 people were evacuated on Wednesday.
The rains stopped on Wednesday, and yesterday saw blue skies and warmer temperatures.
--EFE
Daily News | Home | Top Story | Business News | Central American News
Editorial Cartoon | Weekend | Exchange Rates | Fishing | Culture | Classified Ads
Display Ads | Subscribe! | Travel Guide | Archives | Links | About Us | Newsstand Locations
Contact Us