SAHIC, the premier organizer of hotel investment conferences in Latin America just concluded the presentation of the first Costa Rica Sustainable Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference, which was hosted by the Ministry of Tourism of Costa Rica (ICT). For the first time in this region's history, key investors and decision makers convened in one location to identify significant challenges and sustainable hospitality development opportunities for the country. The Conference took place November 13-14, 2017 at the Intercontinental in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Luis Guillermo Solis, president of Costa Rica, welcomed the visitors to the country declaring that the conference "represents a precedent for the country, paving the way for development, sustainability and investment." Costa Rica Minister of Tourism Mauricio Ventura Aragón stressed that the conference was a great demonstration of the support and commitment of the Costa Rican Government. Ventura officially opened the conference remarking that Costa Rica is being positioned on the world map of tourism investment due to three key factors: The strength and longevity of the airline industry, the ever-increasing number of visitors with disposable income, and the successful development of infrastructure in the region.

Two powerful keynote presentations emotionally impacted the hospitality developer attendees. Author, speaker, social entrepreneur and grandson of the famed Jacques Cousteau, Phillipe Cousteau delivered a meaningful message about the impacts of climate change on the tourism industry. Additionally, Carlos Paez Vilaro, a survivor of the Andes plane crash in 1972, shared his thoughts on changing business paradigms in ever-evolving and challenging times.

Costa Rica Sustainable Conference speakers and sessions were impressive. The notable presenters included:

  • Paul Adan, VP, Hotel Development Latin America & Caribbean, Marriott International
  • Louis Alicea, C.H.A., Senior Director, Development Latin America & Caribbean, Wyndham Hotel Group
  • Rogerio Basso, Principal Investment Officer – Head of Tourism, IDB Invest
  • René Bernard Beil, Managing Director, Beaufort Global Partners LLC
  • Patricia Boo, Area Director Central and South America, STR
  • Ricardo Bravo, VP Operations, AM Resorts
  • Andrew Cohan, MAI, Horwath HTL Miami
  • Luca Franco, CEO and Founder, Luxury Frontiers
  • Liora Haymann, Managing Director, OBMI
  • Fredrick Jonsson, Managing Partner, MEREHA and Director of Beaufort Global Partners
  • José Koechlin Von Stein, CEO & Founder, Inkaterra
  • Salo Smaletz, Vice President Development Latin America IHG.

ABOUT SAHIC and SAHIC Cuba

SAHIC, the premier Latin America hotel and tourism investment conference organizer promotes business and related real-estate projects in the region. The inaugural SAHIC Cuba, which was held May 15-16, 2017 was the must-attend event, designed to promote the hotel, tourism and related real estate businesses in Cuba. The Conference was destined to be "the" place to meet and network with the leading industry players in the island nation: hotel chains and groups, investors, banks, mutual funds, developers, architects, and interior designers, regional government representatives and other decision makers of the industry. For more information, visit www.sahiccuba.com

Leora Lanz
LHL Communications
SAHIC - Latin American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conferences