The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) has just launched Costa Rica Sanctuary – the new European recovery campaign to position the country as a ‘safe’destination and to inspire visitors to travel post Covid-19. The aim of the campaign – which will have renowned TV presenter, Julia Bradbury, as one of its UK ambassadors – is to build back trust with consumers and to showcase Costa Rica as the ultimate natural escape: a ‘sanctuary’.
Costa Rica’s sector-wide Covid-19 recovery efforts were recently recognised by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), who gave Costa Rica its Safe Travels stamp, which allows travellers to identify destinations and businesses which have adopted the global standardised health and hygiene protocols.
To launch Costa Rica Sanctuary in the UK, Costa Rica’s first authentic content-focused channel (www.costarica-sanctuary.com) has been created. The new sanctuary channel, which will act as the main activity hub, will showcase the real Costa Rica through real eyes – individuals who will explain how they found their ‘sanctuary’ in Costa Rica through a variety of inspiring videos and stories sit across five pillars: culture; adventure; wellness; nature & wildlife; and sustainability.
Some of these personalities include well-known faces such as British presenter and documentary specialist, Julia Bradbury. Julia, who recently returned from her second trip to Costa Rica, will be showcasing her ‘sanctuary’ through a series called ‘Tico Thursdays with Julia Bradbury’. These will be unveiled throughout the month of November on Visit Costa Rica’s UK Instagram and Facebook channels.
Other recognisable names who are also participating in the Costa Rica Sanctuary campaign are travel writer and film-maker, Ash Bhardwaj; travel photographer and writer, Ian Mallory (who will be doing a photography masterclass on wildlife photos); top UK travel blogger, Chloe Gunning (Wanderlust Chloe); and editor-in-chief of Wanderlust magazine, Lyn Hughes, who will be talking about sustainability in Costa Rica in an upcoming live session.
The Costa Rica Sanctuary campaign has also rolled out in other European countries including Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Gustavo Segura Sancho, Costa Rica’s Tourism Minister, said: “We want to position our country as an ‘aspirational’ destination; a ‘sanctuary’ in the middle of the global pandemic. Those willing to travel should really count on Costa Rica – a place with no real crowds and where the vast majority of activities take place outdoors.”
Visitors from all over the world are now allowed to enter Costa Rica as long as they complete a digital epidemiological form and have travel insurance that covers accommodation in case of quarantine and medical expenses for acute illness. A negative result of the PCR Covid-19 test is not necessary anymore for passengers who enter the country by air.
For more information about Costa Rica Sanctuary, please visit:
