Study of the WHO and FAO

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) indicates that the daily consumption of fruits and vegetables would prevent 1.7 million deaths a year.

According to the document, the minimum intake of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables (five servings) per day helps prevent chronic diseases, diabetes, hypertension and consequent heart disease, including stroke, one of the leading causes of death in the world.

The report said that inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables worldwide causes approximately 19% of gastrointestinal tumors, 31% of more serious heart disease and 11% of cerebrovascular accidents (stroke).

However, potato and cassava, by excess carbohydrates should not be considered in the list for daily consumption.

Costa Ricans do not have this good habit. A study by the Social Security Fund (CCSS) reported that only 20% of people consume fruits, and usually eats only 3.5 servings three times a week.

Tourism in Costa Rica

The tourism in Costa Rica is one of the main economic sectors and fastest growing in the country and since 1995 is the first source of foreign exchange economy. Since 1999, tourism generates more income for the country than the export of their traditional crops of banana, pineapple and coffee together. The tourism boom began in 1987. There were 329,000 visitors in 1988, increasing to one million in 1999 and reaching 2 million foreign tourists in 2008. This has generated and astounding USD $2.14 billion in foreign currency. In 2005, tourism was responsible for a 13.3% of direct and indirect jobs, and in 2008 contributed 7.2% of GDP of the country and 22.7% of foreign exchange generated by exports.

The main comparative advantage of traveling in Costa Rica is its system of national parks and protected areas; covering about 25% of the country, this is the highest percentage on the planet. It is also estimated to contain 5% of the biodiversity of the world in less than 0.1% of the world's land mass. In addition to the vast flora and fauna, Costa Rica has beaches on the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea separated by only a few hundred kilometers. On one trip to Costa Rica, tourists can easily visit volcanoes in the north, multiple national parks, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. In the early nineties, Costa Rica became known as the chief representative ("poster child ") of ecotourism; period in which foreign tourist arrivals reached an average annual growth of 14% between 1986 and 1994. Some well known sites in Costa Rica are:

· Heritage, the Isla del Coco is one of the most outstanding natural destinations of Costa Rica and was one of 77 finalists in the competition for the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.

· Manuel Antonio National Park is a popular destination for its four beaches located within a natural environment, Quepos Puntarenas.

· Some of the most visited beaches are Hermosa Beach and Jaco Beach, also known for surfing.

Tourism at All Time High in Costa Rica

In 2010 Tourism in Costa Rica reached an all time high with a record breaking 2,099,829 tourists for the year. As a result, The Costa Rica Tourism Board is extra motivated and is now increasing travel to Costa Rica promotion in the US and Canada.

In January, The Tourism Board contracted the Advertising Agency 22Squared to promote Costa Rica in The United States and Costa Rica and they are very excited about the opportunity and the challenge.

The vice president and director of brand planning at 22Squared is very confident in Costa Rica, and while recently describing the attraction of this beautiful country he said, “It’s eco-friendly, it’s educational, it’s affordable, it’s so many things that are right on trend for [North] Americans right now.”

From “No Artificial Ingredients” to “Pura Vida,” and from health-care tourism to being considered the “World’s Happiest Country” in 2009 by the Happy Planet Index; Costa Rica has a lot of weight in its brand name.

So start planning your next vacation to Costa Rica and check out what all the hype is about!

Piper Renner

506.8347.2334

http://PropertiesJaco.com

http://2CostaRicaRealEstate.com