{"id":1936,"date":"2020-10-13T15:53:30","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T15:53:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/testing.travelexcellence.com\/wpte\/?post_type=latest-news&#038;p=1936"},"modified":"2020-10-16T18:48:03","modified_gmt":"2020-10-16T18:48:03","slug":"news-letter-september-2020","status":"publish","type":"latest-news","link":"https:\/\/testing.travelexcellence.com\/wpte\/latest-news\/news-letter-september-2020\/","title":{"rendered":"News Letter September 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"    <h2>Table of contents<\/h2>\n    <nav class=\"menuInterno\">\n        <ul>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#years\"> 199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence <\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#global\"> Global Sustainable Tourism Council awarded Costa Rica CST<\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#magazine\"> Smithsonian Magazine highlighted Costa Rica\u00b4s natural treasures<\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#green\"> Special green season offers <\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#part\"> Costa Rica is part of the best in travel index 2020<\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#digital\"> Digital birding catalogue<\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#small\"> Small hotels, a good alternative for social distancing <\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#stands\"> Costa Rica stands out as one of the best adventure destinations<\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#fiscal\">  Costa Rica\u00b4s fiscal reform <\/a><\/li>\n            <li> <a data-scroll href=\"#tabacon\">  Improvements at Tabacon Grand Spa<\/a><\/li>\n        <\/ul>\n    <\/nav>\n\n\n<a id=\"years\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new1\">199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-1.jpg\" alt=\"199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We celebrated 199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence last September 15<sup>th<\/sup>. This commemoration was particularly different due to the lockdown; however, virtual celebrations highlighted the patriotism and respect for civic values that remind us of freedom and peaceful life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Homage was also paid to this celebration by illuminating some emblematic buildings and attractions around the world such as Burj Khalifa at Dubai, ADNIC in Abu Dhabi, Atakule in Turkey and Niagara Falls in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"global\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new2\">Global Sustainable Tourism Council awarded Costa Rica CST<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-2.jpg\" alt=\"Global Sustainable Tourism Council awarded Costa Rica CST\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Costa Rica\u00b4s Tourism Sustainability Certificate (CST) was recognized by the GSTC thanks to the continuous efforts in sustainability and natural resources protection. This is an international accreditation aligned with the tourism sustainability universal criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, we are proud to announce that this year we at Travel Excellence got again the highest level (elite) for the CST certification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"magazine\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new3\">Smithsonian Magazine highlighted Costa Rica\u00b4s natural treasures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-3.jpg\" alt=\"Smithsonian Magazine highlighted Costa Rica\u00b4s natural treasures\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The US magazine Smithsonian highlighted the natural treasures, eco-friendly adventures and sustainability of Costa Rica as part of a dreamed trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The article highlighted not only the dense forests, mountains, volcanoes, beaches, eco-lodges, flora and fauna but also the protected areas covering the 25% of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A fun fact is that Costa Rica\u00b4s National System of Conservation Areas program turned 50 years last August 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"green\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new4\">Special green season offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-4.jpg\" alt=\"Special green season offers \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as the time is right to travel, your clients might like to consider our new promotional itineraries for low season 2020 and 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Travellers will have the chance to explore our imposing forests, admire the incredible wildlife (almost 5% of the world\u00b4s biodiversity), and relax on our beautiful beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides, Costa Rica and the Travel Excellence Team are already prepared with the safest sanitary protocols to welcome your clients and to give them a lifetime experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check our green season packages&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/docs\/back-to-travel.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>here<\/u><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"part\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new5\">Costa Rica is part of the best in travel index 2020<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-5.jpg\" alt=\"Costa Rica is part of the best in travel index 2020\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Costa Rica got the sixth position as one of the best countries to travel in 2020 according to the Best in Travel Index by the Lonely Planet travel guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the reasons considered by the guide were the use of energy from renewable resources, wellness options and adventure activities, a wide variety of fauna species and the efforts in the protection of natural resources such as the carbon footprint reduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"digital\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new6\">Digital birding catalogue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-6.jpg\" alt=\"Digital birding catalogue\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At Travel Excellence, we have prepared a birding in Costa Rica digital catalogue, an interesting tool that will help your clients with important information and fun facts about this activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It includes some general information, list of the most representative species as well as maps of the main birding zones and migration seasons \u2013 areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Click&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/docs\/birding-in-costa-rica.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><u>here<\/u><\/a>&nbsp;to know our digital catalogue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"small\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new7\">Small hotels, a good alternative for social distancing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-7.jpg\" alt=\"Small hotels, a good alternative for social distancing \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Around 94% of Costa Rica\u00b4s lodging offer is made up of small hotels and lodges offering personalized service, comfort and privacy; it is certainly one of the best options for social distancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also, charming boutique hotels giving the possibility of takeovers so your clients can have the entire property and staff for their social bubble only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask our sales team about the best options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"stands\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new8\">Costa Rica stands out as one of the best adventure destinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-8.jpg\" alt=\"Costa Rica stands out as one of the best adventure destinations\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Costa Rica is in the eighth position within the 15 best adventure destinations according to the U.S. News &amp; World Report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the attributes that the magazine took into consideration were the fun experiences, scenic attractions or places, the climate as well as the friendly people; considering the wide range of activities such as horseback riding, stand up paddle, kayaking, snorkelling, zip-lining, white water rapids, canyoning and much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"fiscal\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new9\">Costa Rica\u00b4s fiscal reform<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-9.jpg\" alt=\"Costa Rica\u00b4s fiscal reform \"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Costa Rica\u00b4s fiscal reform that applies 13% IVA to tourism services (transportation, car rentals, domestic flights, tours, entrances and guide services) is providing an exemption in payment during 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The benefit of the staggered implementation of IVA will begin to tax 4% from July 01<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;2021, 8% from July 01<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;2022 and 13% from July 01<sup>st<\/sup>&nbsp;2023. It does not apply for local airlines that are now collecting 4%, nor the private reserve and park entrance fees which are now collecting the 13%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n<a id=\"tabacon\"><\/a>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"new10\">Improvements at Tabacon Grand Spa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelexcellence.com\/images\/News\/set-2020\/news-10.jpg\" alt=\"Improvements at Tabacon Grand Spa\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of the improvements and maintenance work at Tabacon Grand Spa, more than 800 solar panels are being installed in the rooms, the thermal complex\u00b4s main pool will be renovated, as well as the paths, gardens and resting area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will also redesign the menus to incorporate more local products into their gastronomic offer, and the wellness and relaxation experience will include new techniques and services.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>News Letter September 2020 - Travel Excellence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"News Letter September 2020 - Travel Excellence\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence We celebrated 199 years of Costa Rica\u00b4s independence last September 15th. 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