Tourism in Costa Rica is a key player in the national economy and social development, with a significant contribution to GDP and employment. However, the current institutional model, centered on the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), faces structural gaps, including concentration of benefits, unequal access, and limitations in implementing a sustainable and equitable vision. This proposal outlines an institutional reform aimed at strengthening transparency, equity, sustainability, and inter-institutional coordination, with a regenerative focus.
Context and Justification
Tourism is a central economic driver in Costa Rica. According to combined estimates of direct and indirect contributions, the tourism sector represented up to 8.2% of GDP in 2016, generating approximately 211,000 direct jobs, equivalent to 8.8% of total employment. This economic weight makes tourism a potential vehicle to boost social and economic development, provided it is managed inclusively and responsibly.
Institutional Diagnosis
The ICT, created by Law 1917, has broad functions including international promotion, private sector regulation, and service provision when the market does not meet demand. However, according to sector reports, there is some overlap between the ICT and private enterprises, which may lead to indirect competition. In addition, public evidence about the detailed distribution of benefits, assignment criteria, or the full staff roster is not readily available, which highlights the need to enhance transparency and accountability.
International Lessons
Experiences in countries such as New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain show that it is possible to integrate tourism policies with sustainable development, innovation, and territorial equity. These experiences emphasize public sector professionalization, community participation, and accountability, offering models Costa Rica could adapt to its context.
Reform Proposal
It is proposed to integrate tourism management into the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC), maintaining the ICT as a specialized technical body with supervision and accountability mechanisms. It is crucial to distinguish between promotion, regulation, and service provision, avoiding direct competition with private actors. Active transparency should be established through publication of staff, contracts, selection criteria, budget distribution, and external audits.
A National Tourism Observatory with citizen and academic participation is recommended to monitor impacts. Policies should promote regenerative and sustainable tourism, prioritizing environmental protection and community involvement, and incentivize community-based, rural, and ecological tourism with the participation of SMEs and cooperatives.
Costa Rican tourism has enormous development potential, but to fully realize it, the institutional framework must be updated. The reform seeks to strengthen transparency, equity, and sustainability, transforming the ICT into a modern, responsible body capable of integrating tourism, economic development, and social well-being. This approach will ensure that tourism benefits are distributed fairly and regeneratively, benefiting the economy, communities, and the environment.
