With beautiful beaches, breathtaking ocean vistas, balmy weather, and culturally rich communities that are hospitable, it’s no wonder the Caribbean is known for its booming tourism industry. However, as tourists from around the world shift their focus away from lying on the beach all day, and overindulging in all inclusive fare, the Caribbean tourism sector has taken notice and is following suit. Travelers are now looking to incorporate their home based healthy lifestyle into their vacations, and the Caribbean has responded with numerous options – from ecotourism, culinary, spa and wellness, preventative and health retreats – where consumers can enjoy the sun, sand and sea all wrapped up in a healthy getaway.

“With the tremendous ‘baby boom’ generation in the United States reaching middle age, more and more consumers are interested in vacations that offer not just recreational activities, but restorative and wellness options,” reports Anne Corning, Vice President of Marketing & Market Research for Michael Brown Healthcare in New York, a company specializing in business development and marketing for Medical and Health Tourism venues. “The Caribbean offers close proximity to North American consumer markets,” Ms. Corning continues, “and already has a very well developed tourism reputation.  It’s becoming a growing destination for travelers who seek to combine resort, spa and treatment amenities all in one.”

If the law of gravity says that all that goes up must come down, economic theory poses the opposite perspective, claiming that when things are down, in time, they will again come back up.
 

While Costa Rica’s economy has been down for the past 16 months, it appears that cyclical economic theory is beginning to prove itself true. Things are looking up.

And while it still may be too early to celebrate the end of the recession, indicators across several economic sectors are beginning to show considerable signs of growth.