FAQ | CET Estudios Turismo

FAQs

What is the Center for Tourism Studies and what are its main objectives?

The CET is a non-profit foundation with the main goal of conducting rigorous and in-depth research, coupled with exhaustive analysis on all topics related to tourism. From this, it proposes relevant strategies and actions to achieve the reactivation, consolidation, and growth of tourism activity nationwide.
Given the extensive interdependence with all other economic activities in the country, the fact that tourism in Costa Rica mainly takes place in coastal and rural areas and across the entire national territory, impacting all social strata, CET will focus on demonstrating
this reality and why tourism is the most strategic economic activity for Costa Rica. It will also generate inputs confirming that tourism is the best friend of the country's biodiversity and nature, as well as all the components that generate our “pura vida” culture, such as art, music, gastronomy, sports, etc.
In its initial stage, we will focus on tourism activities and their linkages and interactions with other economic activities and national interest topics. In a future stage, once we have consolidated our tourism efforts, we will expand our actions to provide the same studies, work, and support to other economic activities directly or indirectly linked to tourism.

There are many reasons why the CET is necessary:

The ICT, the country's tourism governing body, has a wealth of relevant information but has historically not shared this practical and usable information with the private sector, which actually generates and executes tourism.
With about 90% of tourism businesses being micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), they lack the human and financial resources and technical knowledge to generate the studies and information that would greatly benefit their service quality, marketing, and sales.
Organizations like CANATUR, CCH, and other trade associations also lack sufficient resources to meet the demands specified in the previous point.
There are not enough educational institutions to meet tourism training demands, and CET will seek the necessary national and international strategic alliances to fulfill this objective.
Large tourism companies, including hotel chains and airlines, generate and possess vast amounts of information and statistics but do not share them due to commercial confidentiality. We must seek to disseminate this information within the sector anonymously.
With 85% of tourism demand originating abroad, having knowledge and information on the main influencing factors in those markets and their frequent changes is vital for the private sector. Accessing this information provides a significant competitive advantage currently unavailable. This includes the importance of information on the tourism distribution chain operating in each of these markets. We will also focus on increasing and solidifying national tourism.
Since most tourism in Costa Rica occurs in rural and coastal areas and communities often needing significant support and structuring, organizing tourism activities in these communities becomes very complex and difficult, although vital for maximizing success. CET will develop strategies and training to meet these needs and unify all tourism actors into one cohesive team. The 2022 elections confirmed that the highest abstention rate occurred in areas with the least socio-economic advancement, which coincidentally are prime tourism areas. We must develop and implement strategies to consolidate and grow tourism in these areas to protect Costa Rican democracy.
Many companies and institutions frequently require reliable and pertinent tourism activity information and data, which is nearly impossible to obtain, especially at reasonable prices. CET is the ideal resource to provide this with your cooperation.
Tourism interacts and is interdependent with all government sectors and actors in one way or another. The success achieved in tourism so far and what can be achieved in the future depends on the public and private sectors working hand in hand with the same vision. To this end, a State Policy for Tourism must be established, obligating all government-dependent entities to include the tourism perspective and interests in their planning, requiring studies as indicated here.
CET will facilitate the design of solutions for the major problems and challenges affecting our activity, such as monetary policies, insecurity, lack of appropriate regulation for short-term rentals, etc.

Why is the CET necessary?

Who Comprises CET?

In this initial stage, CET consists of representatives from an independent group of tourism entrepreneurs, together with the Latin American Center for Competitiveness and Sustainable Development (CLACDS) of INCAE. However, we are working to include other national and international academic and technical centers to expand the range of participants and collaborators.

Who is part of this Initiative & what are the benefits?

There are various ways to participate in this initiative, from being a contributor, subscribing to newsletters, becoming a researcher, contracting CET studies, and more. The benefits for all participants include contributing to CET's goals in favor of Costa Rica, with specific benefits generated relative to each form of participation that may be of specific interest.

What projects will CET promote for the reactivation, consolidation, & promotion of tourism?

CET's projects will be defined according to the urgency established by its Board of Directors and the demand generated by private and public sector entities, both nationally and internationally. We can anticipate that projects will include, among others, the creation of relevant tourism activity databases, demand and environment analysis, big data management and analysis to generate relevant information to assist tourism actors, a market intelligence unit to help the private sector increase product and service placements both domestically and abroad, public policy design related to tourism at the national level for the state and local or regional levels for municipalities, strategy design for organizing tourism actors in communities with attractions and tourist destinations, etc.

Is CET a meeting point between the sector
and the government?

CET can promote meetings between both parties but should not act as an intermediary or take sides with either sector. It must remain absolutely and rigorously faithful to what scientific and educational research indicates on each point. Of course, it will consider the positions and opinions of each sector, but it must be independent to gain the trust of all parties.

If so, what are the expectations?

CET's expectations are to contribute significantly and positively to generating knowledge and awareness at all levels of Costa Rican society about the importance and strategic nature of tourism for the country. We aim to be a professional and serious informational resource that helps eliminate subjective and often incorrect opinions disseminated by leaders who lack real data and thus make inaccurate assumptions, causing confusion.

Is CET one of the strategies needed to restore Costa Rica's position as a premier tourist destination?

We are convinced that it is because it will be a vital instrument in professionalizing all facets of tourism, both in the public and private sectors, and thus contribute to raising the quality of the country's tourism products and services.

What contribution will CET make to the MSMEs

that make up the national tourism activity?

CET will give MSMEs access to relevant information currently unavailable, enabling them to compete much better. Along the way, we will determine specific supports that contribute to this goal and that CET can provide.

Is CET envisioned as a training center for MSMEs?

Not specifically, although it should not be ruled out, but we can affirm that much material and content will be produced to raise MSMEs' training levels.

How can CET impact Costa Rica's tourism potential?

By providing reliable and updated information on the continuous changes in tourism supply and demand, operational technology development, and customer communication, CET will positively impact Costa Rica's tourism potential.

Will it serve as a promotion platform for the

country to foreign tourists?

Not specifically as a promotion platform, but it will generate the necessary inputs to make promotion more effective, efficient, and economical.

As tourism encompasses many areas, how can
they play a through the CET?

CET will incorporate and work with all the different topics important to tourism, such as those mentioned, generating inputs that further prove that tourism is the best friend of the country's biodiversity and nature, as well as art, music, gastronomy, and other cultural expressions that reflect our "Pura Vida."

Does this project have private sector support?

Yes, of course. Initially, in its creation and then by contracting CET services to support their commercial activities or help consolidate tourism contributions to improving Costa Ricans' quality of life.

How do I contact CET?

You can write to us at info@cet-cr.org and visit us at www.cet-cr.org.