The National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) described the position taken by the strikers and the organizing unions of the national strike as insensitive and irresponsible.
The selfish attitudes of the unions and the timid behavior of the government have caused millions of losses to the sector. It is sad to see the bad experience tourists are having. We believe they [unions] do not even measure the impact they have on the image of the country. We ask the authorities to stop these situations that threaten the welfare of the country. However, we do want to recognize the selfless work of our Public Force, Red Cross, and Firefighters that, in the middle of the demonstrations, have assumed the leadership to restore order in the streets,”
said the president of CANATUR, Sary Valverde.
According to the Chamber, the following are the specific damages reported by the different sectors of the union:
– Travel agencies report a 50% decrease in weekly sales.
– Transfers of tourists with delays of up to 10 hours due to the traffic jams caused by the blockades.
– Cancellation of tours and transportation services throughout the country.
– Last minute changes in domestic flights.
– Monteverde has no fuel.
– Tourists have been moved from their hotels up to a day before to avoid losing their flights.
– Frightened tourists ask if they should avoid traveling to their destinations for their safety.
– Tourists stuck in blockades choose to pay additional stay in hotels and lose nights in other destinations.
– Hotels in Limón have received almost 75% cancellations. The businesses choose to close before what generates decrease of sales up to 30%.
– All the operations at the Pacuare River were canceled due to closure near the Reventazón River.
– All the tours in Rincón de La Vieja Norte were cancelled.
– Fuel shortage in Guanacaste.
– Delays in cruise ship departures and cancellation of cruise ship tours.
Tourism entrepreneurs asked the protesters to join a dialogue table.
CANTUR calls for a halt, our country needs it, and urges the Government to make an additional effort to establish an open dialogue with the protesters so that they can call off the strike,”
said Valverde.