Costa Rica Rated as a Great Tourist Destination by Important Personality
The JW Marriott Hotel in Hacienda Pinilla, Guanacaste, had a very relevant guest lodging in its presidential suite. Kim Marriott, granddaughter of John Willart Bill Marriott, chief executive of the huge hotel chain that bears his name. Kim was enjoying a honeymoon with her husband, Craig Ballard, in Costa Rica.
The young woman, who is 20 years old, is hoping to join the work force in the hotel emporium very soon. She spoke with a national newspaper on the tourism possibilities offered by our country, especially these times of global economic recession.
Marriott, who will now change her last name to her husband's, did not hesitate to say that Costa Rica has been able to establish a position in the world thanks to a tourism offer "with an incredibly warm treatment and a very green country with a good reputation for taking care of the environment."
"Costa Rica is a great destination. I feel like I am in paradise. Coming here is fabulous. The people here are so friendly, so helpful; the food is delicious and the climate is wonderful," she said yesterday.
She added that these "ingredients" make the country attractive and attracted the chain to build four hotels here. Marriott (San Antonio de Belen), Courtyard by Marriott (Escazú), JW Marriott (Guanacaste) and, most recently, Residence Inn, which opened on Avenida Escazú.
The newspaper consulted with the granddaughter of the chief executive of the hotel chain if these four hotels in a country as small as ours were too many. She said that Costa Rica adjusts to the needs of tourists who come for pleasure, business or those who are simply on a one-day layover.
When asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the country, she said: "The strengths are its people, the quality of their service and where we are staying, which is so remote and so tropical.
"As far as weaknesses are concerned, I would say that Americans do not like to travel without knowing where they are. Therefore, it is important to have tourist signs, although my husband and I we were looking for something just like we found. This place is so unique," said Marriott.
Costa Ricans should take pride in the fact that a member of the hotel family with such a high reputation can see the goodness and greatness that she mentions. Business owners and the government alike should take heed to ensure sector development along the lines mentioned by Marriott.
