Rural tourism will gain more importance within the strategies that the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) is applying to enhance the tourist industry, thanks to the efforts of this administration supported by the President of Costa Rica who signed an Executive Decree that declares the activity an issue of national importance. For the Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, small town and rural tourism enables local communities and organizations to expand and generate new opportunities for development. Benavides also added that the declaration of national importance regarding this sector helps to expand efforts initiated by the government to promote a region that had a growth of approximately 116% in its annual operations.

The government is also committed to assure the best quality of services offered in small towns and rural areas to local visitors and foreigners who, through rural tourism, can experience the identity of the Costa Rican culture, the country’s natural attractions and, of course, the warmth of its people. According to the Decree, the sector is defined as the activity, developed by the local community, that will allow visitors to enjoy a planned and integrated tourist experience through sustainability. Also, by Decree, the ICT is put in charge of formulating strategies for the national development of the sector, in addition to coordinating and conducting a wide broadcasting process concerning the national importance of the sector. The ICT will also assist other public entities, municipalities, autonomous institutions and private entities with the objective of coordinating actions for the development and regulation of small town and rural tourism. Last but not least, the ICT will assure the development of the activity within the policies of sustainable development.