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Year 10 Vol. 1, Issue 168 Directory Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS jmgarcia@ividmc.travel Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM manolo@ividmc.travel President Francisco BAEZA, DMCP fbaeza@ividmc.travel Vice President
Cover Subject:
ENJOY THE PURE LIFE IN COSTA RICA • Introduction Page
4 • Landscape and Adventure Page 5 • Fast Facts Page 6 • Brand New Convention Center Page 7 • Hotel Infrastructure Pages 8, 9 • Air Connectivity Pages 10, 11
Trinidad SANCHEZ tsanchez@ividmc.travel General Comptroller Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP rmijares@ividmc.travel Corporate Marketing Director
Advertise with CommuniQuest Page 14
Julia ORTIZ jortiz@ividmc.travel Quality Director Alejandro PECH apech@ividmc.travel Electronic Publishing Omar GALLEGOS ivicorp@ividmc.travel Content & Editing David MIS corp.image@ividmc.travel Design
Pages 12, 13
Dr. Travel’s - Travel Tip: Know Who’s Late and Who’s Not Page 15 © Copyright 2018. All Rights Reserved.
Destination Offices Mexico
Caribbean
Central America
IVI DMC² Los Cabos Yazmin ELOSEGUI, DMCP Destination Managing Director yelosegui@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cuba Alejandro DEBASA, CMS Regional Managing Director adebasa@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Costa Rica Ligia VARGAS, CIS Regional Managing Director lvargas@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit & Central Mexico, Jaime NELO, CMS, DMCP Destination Managing Director jnelo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Dominican Republic Ramon RIJO, CIS Regional Managing Director rrijo@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Panama David JOHNSON, CIS Associate Regional Managing Director djohnson@ividmc.travel
IVI DMC² Cancun & Riviera Maya Raquel MIJARES, CIS, DMCP Corporate Marketing Director rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Message From Headquarters Dear reader, When the Spaniards first came to this region they called it Costa Rica (Rich Coast), thinking that they would find a plethora of gold—a quest that proved futile. This region is today known, not as a source for valuable metals, but as a country with one of the richest biodiversities on earth. Due to this, Costa Rica indeed is a destination that generates authentic travel experiences. If marketing experts could come up with an ideal destination, Costa Rica might be it, for it creates a sense of wellbeing and joy to the corporate traveler like no other place in the world and that’s what makes us so special. Enjoy worldly fun and adventure coupled with an intense immersion in nature and spectacular sights and beaches. You will be served by some of the happiest people in the planet, Costa Ricans or Ticos as they are affectionally known. Let us go over the basics that make Costa Rica a top, fun destination! Sincerely, Jose-Manuel (Manolo) GARCIA, CIS, CMS, CCM President IVI DMC2 Enterprises
Our Objective
Our Vision
Always aim for 100% overall customer satisfaction.
Associates: Keep the ideal place to work, where our multicultural staff give their best, every day Customers: Offer an innovative high-quality service that exceeds expectations Partners: Consolidate our network of honest and successful partners Utilities: Maximize the return of investment to shareholders
Our Mission
Planet: Inspire responsible resource management by means of our work
Serve customers through our international certifications ISO 9001 and ADMC; ensuring 100% customer satisfaction of incentives, conventions, and special events; providing memorable experiences in each of the destinations in which we operate; maximizing return of investment to shareholders.
Follow us on...
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Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world; it contains about 5% of the world’s species. The lush, wild natural environment can be experienced all throughout the country and it is easily accessible to the curious visitor. Costa Rica is a safe paradise; unlike other countries, Costa Rica enjoys a very stable political climate and economic development, providing visitors with a tranquil setting for their stay. It is one of the few countries in the world with no army. The country and its people have a peaceful disposition, which makes for the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable vacation. Costa Rica offers dreamlike landscapes, kind people willing to share their culture, and a safe country to experience natural wonders. Costa Rica provides the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, culture, fine cuisine and wildlife. Visitors find in Costa Rica an adventure paradise set in the most beautiful and safe environment. It is also home to four World Heritage sites certified by UNESCO.
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ITS LANDSCAPE Two oceans, many rivers and lakes, miles of sandy beaches and rain forests shape Costa Rica’s landscape, one of great variety, filled with lush vegetation and stunning displays of flora and fauna. With jungles, beaches, and several climatic zones, Costa Rica is a playground for the adventurous. Whether it’s rafting, hiking, wildlife watching or just relaxing on the beach, everything under the sun is available to you.
ADVENTURE Have you ever felt the exhilaration of zipping through the rain forest in a canopy line? It was invented in Costa Rica in the 1970’s! So, that is proof enough that we know how to take what we have and make it fun, and we have been making this for a long time. If you have already tried zip lining and want to have a similar experience but kick it up a notch, then canyoning and rappelling are some other choices for you, and be sure that you will be up close and personal with the land and the environment while also challenging your adventurous spirit when you jump down from a waterfall to an unspoiled lagoon or river.
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DID YOU KNOW? Hundreds of finely crafted spherical stones have been found in Costa Rica. The largest one is eight feet (2.4 m) in diameter. It’s believed that some are to be more than 1,400 years old. Although the indigenous peoples that inhabited Costa Rica before the Spaniards arrived did not build architectural structures, they left behind these enigmatic spheres. No one knows for certain why they were made!
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Which of these do you think Costa Rica has? A. One of the highest literacy rates in the Western Hemisphere B. A highly developed army C. An island to which more than 500 expeditions have been organized in search of buried treasure
FAST FACTS Population: 4,857,000 (2016) Capital: San JosĂŠ Official language: Spanish Land: Coastal plains with central mountains Government: Democratic republic
Answers: A and C. Option C refers to Cocos Island, nearly 350 miles (560 km) west of the mainland.
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NEWLY INAUGURATED CONVENTION CENTER Our destination has now a convention center that can compete with the best worldwide. The Centro Nacional de Congresos y Convenciones (CNCC) opened doors on April 5, 2018. Now we are better positioned to attract an important chunk of international conventions and congresses and succeed because of competitive costs and superior advantages. This modern auditorium will stimulate the meeting industry in the region with its new and impressive facilities; a sizable increase in the number of flights and airlines flying to our destination will also do so. It is estimated an increase of more than 400 thousand visitors thanks to the CNCC. The venue accommodates more than 6,500 delegates and offers 4,400 sq m for expos. The 168,000 sq ft facility (15,600 sq m) includes 6 conference rooms with the latest audio-visual equipment and provides professional technical support to ensure that your meeting or event is a complete success.
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HOTEL INFRASTRUCTURE
A wave of hotel investments, which exceed USD $75 millions and that include openings and renovations, benefits Guanacaste this year, and will do so at least until 2021. Take as an example ...
PARADISUS PAPAGAYO BAY RESORT & LUXURY VILLAS COSTA RICA Opening: Around 2020–2021 Description: The project will consist of 382 rooms and 20 luxury villas. All rooms will have ocean view. The project will also include a convention center with a capacity for 750 people, 7 restaurants, the largest infinity pool in Latin America, and a spa.
CASA CHAMELEON AT LAS CATALINAS Opening: 2018 Description: It’s an adults-only boutique hotel with 21 private villas, located in Las Catalinas, Playa Danta.
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W COSTA RICA RESERVA CONCHAL Opening: November 2018 Description: The facilities will include 151 rooms, a signature W Living Room, specialty restaurants, a bar and lounge destination, an infinity pool, a spa, and meeting space.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD BEACH RESORT COSTA RICA Opening: At the end of 2018 Description: Located in Marina Papagayo, it will have 294 rooms, 5 restaurants and 2 bars with lounge, and a casino.
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AIR CONNECTIVITY JUAN SANTAMARĂ?A INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SJO)
Airline
City
Frequency
Alaska Airlines
Los Angeles
American Airlines
Charlotte
American Airlines
Dallas
American Airlines
Phoenix
A daily flight
Delta Airlines
Atlanta
Two daily flights and one flight on Saturday
Delta Airlines
Los Angeles
Jet Blue
Fort Lauderdale
Jet Blue
Orlando
A daily flight
Southwest
Baltimore
A daily flight
Southwest
Houston
A daily flight
Southwest
Los Angeles
A daily flight
Spirit Airlines
Fort Lauderdale
Spirit Airlines
Houston
A flight on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
Spirit Airlines
Houston
A flight on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
United Airlines
Chicago
One flight on Friday, and Saturday
United Airlines
Houston
United Airlines
Newark
United Airlines
Washington
One flight on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday A daily flight Saturday and Tuesday
A daily flight
One daily flight on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday
One daily flight on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday
Three daily flights on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. One flight on Friday, Sunday. And two flights on Saturday One daily flight A weekly flight on Saturday
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DANIEL ODUBER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (LIR)
Airline
City
Frequency
Alaska Airlines
Los Angeles
American Airlines
Charlotte
American Airlines
Dallas
A flight on Saturday and Sunday
American Airlines
Miami
A daily flight
Delta Airlines
Atlanta
One flight on Saturday
Delta Airlines
Los Angeles
Delta Airlines
New York
One flight on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Jet Blue
New York
A daily flight from Monday to Sunday
Southwest
Baltimore
One flight on Saturday
Southwest
Houston
One daily flight
United Airlines
Chicago
One flight on Saturday
United Airlines
Denver
One flight on Saturday
United Airlines
Houston
Two daily flights plus one flight on Sunday
A flight on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday One flight on Saturday
One flight on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
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IVI DMC² World Headquarters: Ave. Acanceh #1-01, SM 15 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mx Phone: +52 (998) 287-1700 Email: ivicorp@ividmc.travel Serving the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions industry since 1986. Find us in over 40 destinations throughout: • • • • •
Mexico Cuba Dominican Republic Costa Rica Panama
For further information on the fine hotels, deals, activities, and group packages mentioned in this travel digest, please contact: Raquel MIJARES rmijares@ividmc.travel
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Travel Tip: Know Who’s Late and Who’s Not Each month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) ranks the major airlines on their on-time records. The results are then published in many newspapers. To increase your chances of being on time, consider booking your flight with the winner. USA Today publishes this information each month. In addition, the Internet now provides online information through DOT’s home page, FAA, and each airline’s Web site. When a further delay was announced, I walked up to the ticket agent and said: “I don't see why you people bother publishing a flight schedule.” The ticket agent replied in his usual calm, professional tone: “Well, Sir, we have to have something to base our delays on!” - Joey Adams (Taken from page 54)
James Feldman, (a.k.a. Doctor Travel) is a Certified Facilitator and internationally recognized professional motivator, author, television host, and radio personality. His company Incentive Travelers Cheque Int’l provides individual and group incentive travel awards for many Fortune 500 companies. His book “Doctor’s Travel Cure For The Common Trip” is an entertaining and invaluable travel guide whose purpose is not to tell you where to go, but rather to help you get ready for the adventure. CommuniQuest is pleased to share some of Mr. Feldman’s travel wisdom with our readers, who from time to time must deal with lines, cancellations, lost luggage, and a person in the adjacent seat making extensive use of the air sickness bag. Reprinted by permission from the Author: jfeldman@itcheque.com
THANK YOU FOR READING Like life in general, the M&E Industry seems to move at the speed of light. As a committed B2B partner, we aim to help you keep up with the latest industry news and opportunities. CommuniQuest Incentive Travel Digest is a valuable tool that brings you the timely information and analysis that you need, with a lair for what's hot, relevant, & interesting. I wish you the best of success in your quest, whatever it may be. Jose-Manuel GARCIA, CDS Visionary, Founder, & Master Coach
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