Costa Rica this weekend hosted Central America Travel Market, a fair bringing together tourism representatives from around the region to promote it as a multi-destination option for international travelers.

Those who attended the fair, which ran from Thursday through Saturday, had the chance to meet with wholesalers from Europe, Asia and around Latin America, according to a statement from the National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR).

“Central America Travel market is the best opportunity for Central American tourism to grow and become stronger, since it opens the door to doing business and making alliances with European companies,” said CANATUR president Gonzalo Vargas. “For Costa Rica, it is very important to take advantage of this fair, since the European market represents 14% of tourists to Costa Rica who bring $358 million to the country every year.”

During the fair, the Federation of Central American Tourism Chambers (FEDECATUR) signed a cooperation agreement with TACA airlines to promote regional tourism, develop the Central American tourism sector and consolidate tourism brands on the international market. It also seeks to reduce fares and airport taxes, stimulate growth and facilitate tourists moving around the region.

Nicaraguan musician Luis Enrique Mejía Godoy has been enlisted to help promote the region by recording a CD called “Central America: So Small, So Big,” with musicians from around Central America. Funds raised by the sale of this CD will be put toward efforts to integrate regional tourism and strengthen the federation.