Narayan AmmachchiCosta Rica is preparing to expand its airport in the northeastern province of Guanacaste, aiming to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Guanacaste borders Nicaragua and is home to several popular tourist attractions, but a lack of air connectivity bars international tourists from landing directly.
Costa Rica is expected to invest US$100 million on the expansion, with much of the funding coming from the state budget.
In addition to the construction of new runways, the government will also extend the existing ones. The construction will encourage international airlines to launch direct flights to the airport, which is named after Daniel Oduber Quiros, a former president credited with launching the nation’s public TV network.
“Tourism is the investment and economic strength of the country. Our visitors deserve spacious, safe facilities. We want to provide the best conditions to airlines and tourists, whose travel experience will increase tourism and have a positive impact on Guanacaste,” stated President Rodrigo Chavez.
Tourism is a major generator of foreign currency for the Costa Rican economy, but international visits collapsed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the number of arrivals from abroad is on its way to recovery, Costa Rica might have to wait longer still for the volume of international tourists to reach pre-pandemic levels.
The new airport’s construction is expected to start at the end of this year and be completed over the following two years.
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