128Canopy Blog

New Tourism Tax to be Charged on Airline Tickets

The Costa Rican tourism authorities have announced that they will implement a new method to collect tourism taxes which will replace the current one.

Authorities have decided to eliminate the 3% hotel tax and replace it by charging a $15 fee on all airplane tickets issued to Costa Rica.  The reason authorities have decided to eliminate this tax and charge the ticket fee is because a considerable amount of income has been lost since many tourists stayed at certain properties which were not required to pay taxes.

The Costa Rican Board of Tourism (ICT) showed that for the year 2006, an approximate $8 million were collected from the 3% hotel tax.  With the $15 ticket charge, the ICT expects to bring in an approximate $18 million per year.

The ICT is in need of fresh funds in order to efficiently promote Costa Rica as a tourist destination.  With this new tax collection, authorities will be able to collect funds without any problems.  In addition, new funds will allow for the development of new tourism projects and attractions.

The $15 airline ticket charge will be waived for transit passengers through Costa Rica.

Nature Air Finalist in the Condé Nast World Savers Awards 2008

The first Carbon Neutral Airline in the world, Nature Air was chosen among 142 worldwide companies as a finalist in the Condé Nast World Savers Awards 2008.  The World Savers Awards honors travel related companies from around the world for their leadership in social responsibility.  The areas are broken down to five which are:  poverty aide, environmental and/or cultural conservancy, education, wildlife conservation and health.

Nature Air was chosen as one of the 38 finalists due to its commitment in environmental protection within Costa Rica.  The airline compensates for its gas emissions by a 100% in preserving the tropical forests.  Nature Air has actively been involved in preserving the Osa Peninsula’s integrity; Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse tropical rainforests.  Nature Air has been involved in protecting over 150 hectares of land since 2004.

Editor in chief, Klara Glowczewska, said, “The World Savers Awards recognizes those companies which prove to be one step ahead when it comes to taking on the challenge for a better world.  This year’s finalists have set social responsibility standards which we hope become role models to follow by the travel industry.”

Nature Air’s founder and CEO mentioned, “For us it is a real honor to be recognized as a leader in social responsibility by Condé Nast.  It’s a wonderful feeling to know that our small airline has made such a positive impact not only in Costa Rica, but can also inspire other airlines from around the world to seek sustainable practices as well as prevent global warming.”

The World Savers Awards finalists will be recognized during the Second Annual Condé Nast World Savers Awards ceremony in New York City on September 23rd.

Since Nature Air’s creation in the year 2,000, it has gone from transporting 18,000 passengers a year to 150,000 a year in 2007.  Nature Air started with one airplane and 17 employees.  Today, Nature Air has a fleet of 8 airplanes and 150 employees.  Nature Air is the only twin-engine airline in Costa Rica to offer scheduled and charter flights to over 74 destinations in Costa Rica and Panama.  For more information visit www.natureair.com

For further information, contact: Lissette Acosta, Nature Air Marketing Manager, Phone Number: +506-2299-6047, E-Mail: lacosta@natureair.com

Anyone who has been to Costa Rica or is planning a trip in the near future has most likely come across hundreds of tours options and activities to carry out in the country.

One of the favorite nature tours and yet one of the least widely known is the Canoe Trip in Costa Rica’s Northern Region, specifically in La Fortuna.  The region of La Fortuna, near the Arenal Volcano, offers a variety in wildlife and rich vegetation which most of time go unnoticed by local and foreign tourists.

When in the Arenal area, the impressive volcano steals the show with its perfect conical shape and revitalizing hot springs.  But for those who prefer to wander off the beaten path and come face to face with nature, there is no better option than to do so by peacefully drifting down river in a canoe.

The tour allows tourist to access areas that are only possible by canoe in a tranquil and non intrusive manner.  The smoothness of the trip makes it possible to see shy and withdrawn species in their natural habitat.  Monkeys, crocodiles, sloths and countless bird species are just a few of the animals tourists will undoubtedly encounter.

The rivers around the Arenal Volcano will take you through dense rainforest while exposing century old trees and exotic plant species.  Specialized tour operators in the area offer the Canoe or Raft trip which normally include a bilingual naturalist guide, canoe or raft and all necessary equipment as well as transportation to and from hotels in the Arenal area.

Canoe and Rafting trips are half day trips and are under $50 per person.