CASE STUDY Costa Rica: Saving the perfect Natural Destination

The perfect destination for tourists, because It has two oceans with beautiful beaches It has two oceans with beautiful beaches Tropical warm climate Tropical warm climate Topography- from coastal plains beaches to volcanic mountain peaks Topography- from coastal plains beaches to volcanic mountain peaks It the home of diverse species of animals and plants It the home of diverse species of animals and plants It boasts over 112 active volcanoes It boasts over 112 active volcanoes The Costa Rican government recognised the growing tourist industry and protected the natural environment by undertaking three important steps; The Costa Rican government recognised the growing tourist industry and protected the natural environment by undertaking three important steps; To preserve the national parks and reserves To preserve the national parks and reserves To develop state-of-the-art infrastructure To develop state-of-the-art infrastructure To commit sustainable funding To commit sustainable funding

Tourism Grows Because of the perfect conditions available, tourism grows in Costa Rica. Because of the perfect conditions available, tourism grows in Costa Rica. Most of the tourists come from the United States and Canada. Most of the tourists come from the United States and Canada.

National Parks and Reserves At the beginning, the government established 10 national parks and reserves. At the beginning, the government established 10 national parks and reserves. Today 25% of Costa Rica is under some form of protection Today 25% of Costa Rica is under some form of protection 12% of it is designated as national parks 12% of it is designated as national parks Over 500,000 tourists visit these parks and reserves every year. Over 500,000 tourists visit these parks and reserves every year.

Wildlife corridors Strands of protected areas that link the national parks and reserves Strands of protected areas that link the national parks and reserves Animals migrate to the national parks and reserves through these corridors. Animals migrate to the national parks and reserves through these corridors. The corridors provide the migrating animals to meet and breed. The corridors provide the migrating animals to meet and breed.

Infrastructure The government marked trails and paths to provide safe, exciting and educational walks and tours through the rain forest The government marked trails and paths to provide safe, exciting and educational walks and tours through the rain forest Aerial tram was built in order to interact with the ecosystem without interfering with its delicate system. Aerial tram was built in order to interact with the ecosystem without interfering with its delicate system.

Sustainable funding Tourists spend over US $ 650 million in Costa Rica each year. Tourists spend over US $ 650 million in Costa Rica each year. A good portion of this money spend on to preserve, maintain, and expand the natural attractions of the tourist industry. A good portion of this money spend on to preserve, maintain, and expand the natural attractions of the tourist industry. Natural environment provides jobs through out the country. Natural environment provides jobs through out the country. Tourist income and its economic spin-offs are Tourist income and its economic spin-offs are are important factors for Costa Ricans to preserve and enhance their varied ecosystems.

Answer the following questions What natural characteristics of Costa Rica would you find most attractive? What natural characteristics of Costa Rica would you find most attractive? As a tourist visiting Costa Rica, list three things you can do to help the country preserve and enhance it ecosystems. As a tourist visiting Costa Rica, list three things you can do to help the country preserve and enhance it ecosystems. Describe the role of the Costa Rican government has played in sustaining tourism. Describe the role of the Costa Rican government has played in sustaining tourism.