What is considered the most important wellness tourism event in Latin America, directed to the sectors of tourism, health, medical, hotels, Spa, travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, etc. will take place August 31 through September 2 in La Fortuna, San Carlos.

“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”, explains the press release of the Costa Rican Tourism Board.

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.

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, thalasso therapy, 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.

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
SOURCE: ICT (Costa Rica Tourism Board)