Costa Rican Destination Management Company, Spur Incentives, Opens North America Office.

Business Editors & Travel Writers

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2002

Spur Incentives, the first Costa Rican destination management company (DMC) to open an office in the U.S., now allows North American companies the convenience of dealing directly with a Costa Rica DMC via a U.S. office.

Recent developments in the Costa Rican tourism infrastructure and the growing interest in adventure and nature oriented activities have enticed incentive houses and corporate meeting planners to consider Costa Rica for upcoming events and meetings. With offices in both the U.S. and Costa Rica, Spur Incentives will assist companies cross language and culture differences while improving responsiveness and efficiencies to provide seamless incentive travel fulfillment. Spur Incentives is an alliance between Rico Tours of Austin, Texas, and Travel Excellence SA of San Jose, Costa Rica, under which the two companies will integrate marketing, sales and operations.

According to Carolina Trejos, Director of Promotions with the Costa Rican Tourist Board, "This is a good example of the evolution of tourism in Costa Rica which continues to gain popularity. Incentive firms and meeting planners recognize the growing interest in Costa Rica and want to make it available to their clients. Spur Incentives will make it easier for North American companies to include Costa Rica in their destination portfolio."

"Spur Incentives is the first Costa Rica DMC to have offices in both Costa Rica and North America," states Modesto Blanco, General Manager for Spur Incentives' Costa Rica operation. "We have been working as a cross-border team for over six years and have developed a great staff in both countries. The office staff in Austin has extensive experience in Costa Rica and also the ability to better understand client requirements as they design programs. The office in Costa Rica has strong relationships with local suppliers and will ensure that all bookings and arrangements are properly executed and provide local support while participants are in the country."

Leigh Ann Cloutier, CTC, General Manager of Spur Incentives North America, said, "We have been designing travel for upscale individuals and groups in Costa Rica for over ten years. During that time the traveler's menu of options has constantly evolved, and I see Costa Rica becoming very popular for small and medium size incentive groups, meetings, corporate events and weddings. I have worked with a number of companies in Costa Rica and Travel Excellence has proven to be the best DMC for small to medium sized programs, which are our specialty. I am excited about the potential of this alliance and our new ability to fulfill the U.S. based incentive houses."

Costa Rica is emerging as a destination choice for meetings, events and individual and group incentive travel in which participants seek soft-adventure and eco-tourism. Costa Rica is easily accessible from the U.S., provides good value, has a U.S. friendly, highly literate population, a diverse geography, and a range of activities including golf, deep sea fishing, river rafting, 4 wheeling, tree zipping, jungle tours, volcano viewing and more. Traditionally popular for individual travel, Costa Rica now has facilities for large groups.

Jack Hartley, Director of Sales for Enterprise Events Group in San Francisco, said, "It is critical to trust and have confidence in our DMC's ability to deliver high quality programs for our demanding clients. After fifteen years in the travel incentive industry I have come to realize the importance of high-touch and the extra effort required to design and deliver well executed travel incentive programs, sales meetings and corporate events. During a recent Costa Rica site-inspection with Spur Incentives it was obvious that they understand high-touch. Our client was thoroughly impressed with the execution of the program. It was truly memorable and special not only for the client but also for everyone involved in the coordination effort."

About Spur Incentives

Spur Incentives, headquartered in Austin, Texas, and with offices in San Jose, Costa Rica, is an incentive travel fulfillment firm specializing in soft-adventure and eco-tourism oriented packages for individual and small-medium incentive groups, meetings and events. Collectively the Spur Incentives staff has over fifty years experience making Costa Rica travel arrangements for individuals and groups. Conde Nast Traveler in 2001 recognized Spur Incentives general manager, Leigh Ann Cloutier, CTC, as the Costa Rica expert. Spur Incentives is a member of SITE, IATAN, ICTA and ICT. For more information regarding Spur Incentives and its offerings visit www.spurincentives.com, or call 800-280-7426/512-418-0786.