Eco Tourism Meeting Medical Tourism Development Opportunities in Costa Rica

Would you develop property in Costa Rica today?

With all the doom and gloom coming to us by way of the media, including those of some visitors and tourists from North America and Europe, the answer would probably be, “no”, says Robert Shannon of Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties Real Estate Company.

Costa Rica’s tourism is still flourishing but for how long, some think? It’s hard to predict as one would have to believe the impact of world events would catch up with us sooner or later.

But, consider these facts:
1. This year alone over 250,000 Americans will travel to Costa Rica and places like Thailand for affordable medical care. They will be seeking everything from root canals to heart transplants. The proximity to the USA and the high standard of health care Costa Rica offers suggest that a higher percentage will come here.

2. We keep seeing statistics that eco tourism / sustainable tourism is becoming one of the most sought after travel packages. This comes in many different forms, but one of the most popular is the vacationer seeking to get a feel for making their contribution to our planet by using these sustainable tourism facilities.

We have seen some good attempts at eco-sustainable projects and they are interesting, and often in provocative, if not primitive, places. But, Costa Rica has yet to see a major developer get involved in what many consider a necessary part of the future that will impact all of us for the good – combining the medical tourism aspects with eco-tourism!

Last year it was reported by the accommodation industry that boutique hotels and B&B’s are the fastest growing segment of their industry. And, Costa Rica is getting ready for the anticipated increase in business in this area, as well as more major, brand name resorts coming here. For instance, the $40,000,000 expansion to the Liberia international Airport will be completed this year. There will be many new flights and visitors. Tourism is definitely up, and certainly, many of those visitors are interested in sustainable tourism, and others, medical tourism.

For those with a vision, a major eco-sustainable project, coupled with medical tourism, done by a well-financed developer, could make Costa Rica the focal point for the world. Costa Rica, with a land area of only 51.100 km2 (0.03% of the planet’s surface) and 589.000 km2 of territorial waters, is considered to be one of the 20 countries with greatest biodiversity in the world. And, it is also considered to be one of the premier destinations for medical treatments, with its modern medical and dental facilities and well trained, professional, and English speaking, doctors.

A well planned eco-sustainable project could include an integrated medical facility, on site or nearby, serving both the immediate community and the greater surrounding area – a benefit to Costa Rican locals and tourists alike. It would be designed to meet both “eco” and medical needs, which would attract thousands of clients per year, not only from the USA but around the world.

Hotels, condominiums, homes and boutique lodging could be included in the facilities specifically for medical recovery accommodations. Regular hotel accommodations could be included in the project to facilitate the eco tourist spouse, or friends, anxious to experience the lifestyle of Costa Rica, see the sights, and to test the waters of this tropical paradise.

Then, the answer to the initial question, “Would you develop property in Costa Rica today?” becomes academic if you are a developer looking to find a sound place to invest, but especially, with the right vision – medical facilities combined with eco-tourism.

By: Robert Shannon, President of Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties Real Estate Company – http://www.costaricaretirementvacationproperties.com

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