Tourism Investment in Quepos: President Laura Fernández announced multi-million-dollar investments in Quepos, including plans to modernize the La Managua (Quepos) airfield to expand capacity for private flights and add a new passenger terminal, plus road and bridge upgrades across Puntarenas. Travel Demand & Mental Health: Marriott’s CALA travel trends study found 90% of Latin American and Caribbean travelers see vacations as essential for mental health, with leisure travel rising as a top priority—good news for Costa Rica’s wellness-and-nature positioning. Costa Rica’s Tourism Rivalry Debate: A new ICT framing says Costa Rica’s real competitors are farther afield (e.g., Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand), while industry groups argue pricing pressures from a stronger colón make nearby destinations tougher. Air Access Boost: Air Canada expands winter connections from Europe to Latin America and Caribbean, adding Costa Rica among new services. Visitor Visa Pressure (Context): A US GAO report highlights long US visitor-visa interview waits for Costa Rica (356 days), a reminder that travel planning can be slowed by bureaucracy. Nature Watch: A study suggests Costa Rica could host over 40,000 fungal species, underscoring the biodiversity draw beyond the usual wildlife.