Tourism chamber criticizes use of ride-sharing apps for Costa Rica promotion

Costa Rica's tourism chamber, Canatur, has voiced strong criticism regarding the use of ride-sharing applications to promote the country's tourism sector. The business association argues that leveraging informal digital platforms for national promotion creates uncertainty and disadvantages formal tourism businesses that operate under established regulations.

Canatur emphasized the need for greater coordination between public institutions, private companies, and tourism organizations. They believe that before launching new promotional initiatives, especially those involving digital platforms, a more robust dialogue is essential to ensure alignment and avoid disrupting the formal sector. The chamber's stance highlights a tension between embracing new digital tools and maintaining a regulated, formal tourism industry.

The association warned that tourism promotion for Costa Rica should avoid alliances that generate ambiguity for formal sectors. They reiterated their call for strengthened dialogue among all stakeholders. This position underscores a broader concern within the industry about the integration of informal digital services into national promotional strategies and the potential impact on established businesses.