Above: the InterContinental in Costa Rica. Photo: Caribbean Journal

Businessman Wilhelm von Breymann will be the country’s new Tourism Minister, overseeing the development and execution of tourism board initiatives and promoting the destination in the international marketplace.

“We are pleased and excited to welcome Wilhelm von Breymann as the new Minister of Tourism,” said Juan Carlos Borbón, General Manager of the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism. “His successful business background and passion for Costa Rica will provide a fresh perspective for the tourism board and foster new growth and innovation, which will assist Costa Rica in achieving its goal of positioning itself as a highly sought-after destination that is top of mind for all travelers in the global marketplace.”

von Breymann, a longtime industry stakeholder, has operated several tourism businesses in the last two decades, including Costa Rican Trails.

He has also served as the Agency Director of Panama Trails and served on the executive board of the Sixt car rental company.

Costa Rica recently launched a new tourism campaign called “Essential Costa Rica.”

While the country has a substantial Caribbean coast, it has largely focused its tourism product on San Jose and the Pacific coast; it’s not yet clear if the country will devote more attention to the Caribbean coast under von Breymann.