www.CostaRicaTicas.com

To my dear friend Circus.... I think I reported earlier that the main reason for this hotel is to satisfy the unenforced (up till now) law that says there must be a hotel of at least 80 rooms ATTACHED to a casino.
To my other dear friend Prolijo..... They really seem to want to keep the riff-raff away from the immediate hotel area. There are gates at either end of the entrances to the hotels. There will be NO beggars and hustlers when a patron goes in or out of the hotel.
I agree that this place done properly (no chica fees and a bar to compete with the DR) would be an incredibly successful venture but it doesn't seem to be their objective at the moment. Shelby may be opposed to the prostitution in SJ BUT he has no problem taking the working chicas money when they come in the casino to gamble.

I think VB is probably correct. Otherwise, if the owners are so smart, why would they compete in that location for the 'tourists'? The Holiday Inn is nearby and is larger, has a pool and casino, and the chain is well-known. There are also several other smaller hotels in the area that have at least a little of the 'old-world' ambiance and charm, such as the Don Carlos. Either VB is correct or Circus may be 'on to something' in his intimation as to the motives.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

I have heard that the Sleep Inn had a 60% occupancy rate their first week of operation. I would think that a 60% rate is fantastic for a brand new hotel that didn't even have it's website up yet. I find this very interesting.If they can be that successful,during rainy season,without "US" (US being the guys who engage in OUR type of activities) are "WE" as important to the economic success of the area as we like to think we are? Is it really possible that there are enough ecotourists and business travelers to fill up hotels even during the rainy season.That's a scary thought. Perhaps they are getting guys who like to go to the MPs and clubs instead of having take-in. It's hard to believe that guys are giving in and paying a $30 chica fee.

Vegas Bob wrote:



I think "WE" are a substantial economic influence in Costa Rica but pale in comparison to eco-tourists, business travelers, etc.

I have a feeling that if push came shove and the merchants had to make a decision to only cater to one segment of visitors "WE" would not be their choice.

No hard evidence to back this up just my dos colones.

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Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Please allow me to put in my dos pesos.

1. I agree with vegas. US mongers make up less than 10% of the turista segment. Having said that, we, as a group, tend to be a specialised market segment. We are similar to the following analogy. Specialised Golf clubs, in terms of market share make up 3% of the "Wal Mart market", 50% of "golf shops" and 95% of the "pro shops" found at the golf courses.

In other words, it all boils down to location, location, location.Now let us apply this analogy to our situation. We may be a tiny blip in the broader market. However, in the" gulch", we rule supreme. If this establishment is catering to the "Eco-market", why would they locate themself in the gulch?? How many Eco-turistas use the "gulch" as a base? I am presuming that this group ends up in s.j. for a day to take in the concert and do some sight seeing. In other words, no extended stays. Would such transient business be sufficient to sustain their solvency?

I dont know,

regards

(an old monger)

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pablitho53

Most establishments in the "gulch" are not there to cater to tourist, be they eco or monger. Most of the restaurants,department stores, appliance stores, markets, farmacias, etc get their major revenue from Tico's who are in San Jose to work or shop.

Some bars, clubs, souvenir shops exist on tourist trade and they do not discriminate on which tourist group is buying their goods. Other than the isolated establishments like the HDR, BM, KL,NF,ZB etc we do not "rule supreme"

Even the boutique hotels, the expat spots (NY Bar, Nashville South) do not owe their existence to the tourists.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

May be hard to do, but it would be great to see "our" economic impact statement and what we mean $ to the gulch and beyond. Wile Coyote

Ding Dong,

I am not talking about discrimination here. Surely, the Del Rey would accept our money as well as the Ticos ( if the choose to spend like we do). of course, there are other businesses catering to the needs of "ticos" in the gulch. I am referring here to hotels and such. Pray tell me, if every monger decided to abstain, what would be the impact in the" gulch". How many businesses' would go belly up and how many others would be hard pressed because there are no more spin - off benefits. For example.... The good looking Putha you used to pick up at the Del Rey and screwed her so rough ... that she had to go to the Pharmacy in the "gulch" and buy some ointment.

My point is, The Gulch is not a place to locate, if you want to attract the eco-tourist market.

I apologise for any confusion i might have caused in the definition of the "gulch".

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pablitho53

Pablitho 53 wrote:



In my opinion the DHR/BM & KL might go belly up. Some businesses might go through a belt tightening period for awhile. However the biggest loser would not be hotels, farmacias, restaurants etc. The biggest impact would be on the working girls and their multiplier effect.

My only point to this discussion is that mongers tend to over estimate their economic impact. Substantial, depends on your definition but I think Costa Rica, San Jose and yes even the gulch would weather the loss of sex tourism quite well.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine