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International Congress will boost wellness tourism with new worldwide trends

 

  • The First Costa Rica Wellness and Spa Congress will take place in La Fortuna de San Carlos from August 31 to September 2.
  • International experts from the United Kingdom, Spain, United States and Mexico are confirmed to be in attendance.

With the confirmation of 8 international speakers from Spain, United States, Mexico and the United Kingdom, as well as the publication of the agenda of activities, the First Costa Rica Wellness and Spa Congress, to be held in La Fortuna de San Carlos from August 31 to September 2, is reaching the homestretch.

One of the pillars of this Congress is the promotion of a wellness culture in our country that will allow both Costa Ricans and international tourists to recognize Costa Rica as a “Wellness Pura Vida” destination in which wellness activities can be given the tico touch, featuring the use of biodiversity, the country’s ample natural resources and landscapes, as well as the local water sources and cuisine, all in a sustainable environment.

The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), as the leading tourism institution, has been developing a strategic wellness tourism program, hence its support for this congress in collaboration with the National Institute of Learning (INA), the Arenal Chamber of Tourism and Trade, the Costa Rican Association of Wellness Tourism and the Latin American Spa Association. Furthermore, this congress is being organized in the context of the recent signing of a cooperation framework agreement with Asociación Wellness Costa Rica, which sets out a series of objectives and action lines that include the implementation of this kind of international events to position the country as a wellness tourism destination.

Recently, while speaking about the importance of wellness tourism, the Minister of Tourism, Maria Amalia Revelo, recently noted that “The ICT is modernizing itself and becoming open to the needs of the market; we are committed to promoting policies that promote wellness tourism within the country offer”.

According to its organizers, the main focus and objective of the congress will be to create an “unforgettable experience” for participants. In addition to gaining new knowledge and carrying out business meetings, attendees will be able to experience the transformational power of wellness in their lives through a series of sensory experiences that are carried out throughout the event, which include a concert with Tibetan bowls, meditation, aromatherapy, and color therapy with a set of lights in an enclosure.

New worldwide trends in wellness

The agenda of the congress includes various subjects of interest such as global trends in wellness tourism in 2019 and how to integrate it into a wider lifestyle offering. It also includes new developments in trends such as thermal baths, thalassotherapy, medical hydrology and hydrotherapy, along with the latest generation of dermatological and cosmetic treatments for application in thermal baths and spas. Modern issues of wellness marketing and corporate wellness will also be explored, along with how sustainable wellness can be integrated into cultural traditions and natural environments. Finally, subjects such as Blue Zones will be discussed, an example of which is the Nicoya Peninsula. Attendees will learn recommendations on how to create and design a solid wellness product.

The list of exhibitors features a series of experts confirmed to be in attendance from Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico and the United States. From Spain, Dr. Antonio Freire will be attending, a specialist in medical hydrology and hydrotherapy and President of the organization Gala Termal. He will be accompanied by Lic. Daniel Roibal, a specialist in Corporate Wellness and Dr. Francisco Maraver, President of the Spanish Association of Medical Hydrology. The list of distinguished guests from the UK includes Dr. Sara Jones, International Consultant and Director of Wellness & Spa Mexicaribe, and Sonal Uberoi, MBA, CEO of Spa Balance Consulting and the British International Spa Association. From Mexico, Dr. Patricia Hernández, a specialist in dermo-cosmetics and bio-stimulation has also confirmed her attendance, as well as Dr. Ramón de la Rosa, Academic President of the Latin American Spa Association. Participants will also be able to gain knowledge from attendees from the United States, including Bonnie Baker, MBA, Co-Founder of Sattev Spa & Wellness and Co-Chairwoman of the Sustainability Initiative of the Global Wellness Institute.

According to Melissa Tencio, coordinator of the ICT’s wellness tourism program, “Costa Rica has been recognized on numerous occasions by the World Economic Forum as a leading destination for nature and adventure, as it contains all of the conditions necessary to stand out a paradise that allows visitors to detoxify themselves away from daily stresses and the hustle and bustle, all the while remaining in surroundings that offer unique and unparalleled tourist adventures”. Tencio added that Wellness Pura Vida includes activities such as spa services, open-air activities, massages, hot springs, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, sleep therapy, rest, silence, earthing, forest therapy and healthy and balanced diets, all while remaining in contact with a natural setting.

For Laura Barrantes, President of Asociación Wellness Costa Rica and the congress organizer, “wellness tourism can be seen as a strong incentive to promote a tourist offer with a unique Costa Rican identity, with added value over the current offer. It boasts transformational experiences for locals and foreigners and will have a positive impact on those who practice it and return home feeling recharged. It is a dynamic market segment and needs to be accessible and holistic, with development in every part of the country”.

The First Costa Rica Wellness and Spa Congress will feature updates on the latest global trends and new, innovative tools in this field. Along with the international invitees, eight Costa Rican exhibitors will be present, who will complement the program with a wide array of content. In parallel to the Congress, a wellness fair will be held for micro-entrepreneurs with assistance from the National Institute of Learning (INA), the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MEIC) and the Foreign Trade Promotion Authority (PROCOMER).

Registration for the Congress is still open and is directed to all professionals who want to involve wellness issues in their work and offer an integrated service to their clients and tourists. The event will be of interest to tourism sector professionals, nutritionists, aestheticians, personal trainers, yoga instructors, therapists, and others. The First Costa Rica Wellness and Spa Congress will be held in the Rafael Arenas Convention Center in La Fortuna de San Carlos from August 31 to September 2018. To register, please visit the website www.cibscr.com/congreso. The registration price is $300, which includes participation in all of the Congress’ activities, lunches, coffee breaks, a certificate from INA and participation in a closing cocktail on September 3, along with an open discussion forum