The northwestern Guanacaste province will be promoting itself as a tourist attraction to buyers from around the world during the Guanacaste Market Place fair beginning Sunday and running one week.

Buyers from the United States, Germany, Argentina, the United Kingdom and Mexico are scheduled to attend.

The fair will exhibit Guanacaste's attractions that draw thousands of tourists there every year, explained Patricia Duar, director of the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT).

“Guanacaste has its own personality,” so it deserves its own tourism fair, she said.

The fair will take place in the town of Flamingo and will draw local hotels, tour operators, car rental companies, airlines, tourism providers, chambers and banks. They will be able to set up appointments with international buyers, and these buyers will have the opportunity to tour the area before and after the event to check out the quality of products and services.

Of the 22 buyers coming to the trade fair this year, nine will be here for the first time.

Guacacaste's beaches make it a prime tourist destination; 36% of tourists who go there each year have visited the province at least once before. Tourists to Guanacaste spend an average of $2,000 and stay 8.14 nights.