Costa Rica stood out as one of the most important 10 destinations worldwide in environmental matter, according to the last edition of the Brand Country ranking.  The ranking was made public  during the World Travel Market Fair in London, one of the most important fairs in the tourist field.

    Costa Rica participates in the event with a delegation led by the Minister of Tourism, aimed at promoting national tourist attractions.

     “I am very glad that Costa Rica achieved this kind of award as one of the environmental destinations worldwide and also as one of the places where people would like to live. This award is an honor and proud, but it also represents a big challenge. We have to maintain a stronger sustainability policy, in order to achieve a planned, stable tourist development, without jeopardizing our natural beauties,” said Carlos Ricardo Benavides, Minister of Tourism.

     To carry out this country brand survey, Future Brand takes into account those countries that rely, worldwide, on the strongest tourist brands within several categories. The company takes heed of parameters such as territory, country’s State, quality of life, safety, rural and urban area distribution, agricultural area, parks, topography and geographical and political borders.

     For example, in the environmental category, where Costa Rica stood out, policies undertaken by the country to Project the environment are taken into consideration. Some of the nations included in the group are: Sweden, New Zealand, Singapore, Iceland, Switzerland, Denmark, Canada, Germany and Austria.

     As for the “Most Like to Live in” category, where Costa Rica was among the best 10 worldwide, aspects such as quality of life, government stability, climate, peace, tranquillity and safety are taken into account. Other countries included in the category are: New Zealand, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Singapore, United Kingdom and Italy.

     The Minister of Tourism pointed out that, in both categories, Costa Rica appears as the only country in Latin America included in the ranking, competing with developed nations.

     Moreover, does not the ranking only measure tourist behaviour, but it also evaluates investment attraction, business environment, customer perceptions, meeting planners, executive frequent flyers, analysts, tourism associations in the countries and government members. Also, the survey establishes a balance between destination experience and nations’ marketing.