China is searching for new markets to enter other countries. In that sense, Costa Rica is geographically an attractive market due to the fact that it is a central point between America, Asia, and Europe and because its close commercial ties with the United States.

    The main interest that China has with Costa Rica, in addition to commerce, is the tourism and investment sector, stated Martín Zuñiga, General Manager of the Promoter of External Commerce of Costa Rica (PROCOMER), who recently visited China.

     Some sectors are already beginning to show interest in Costa Rica as a tourist destination, commented Zuñiga.

    Given the reputation that Costa Rica has gained as a potential destination in the tourism sector, the Chinese Ambassador in the country, Wang Xiaoyuan, stated that Costa Rica could become a tourist destination for more than 20 million Chinese citizens going on vacation every year.

     “What we are planning is to promote tourism from both sides and in both directions. China already has about 5 countries as its main tourist destinations for its citizens. In that sense I strongly believe that it is convenient to declare Costa Rica as another possible tourist destination,” stated the ambassador.

    The Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides pointed that a group of 200 tour operators from China will visit Costa Rica in the next months,

     The businessmen will visit Costa Rica to get informed about the tourism offer that the country provides and to be familiar with the national territory.

    Chile, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba are the countries in Latin America that receive the majority of Chinese tourists.