All these foreign developments?
by Tyler Tibbs

As far as tourism development is concerned, it seems
as though Nicaragua is destined to explode. Especially
in the Southwestern corner near the town of San Juan
delSur on the Pacific ocean. A sleepy fishing port
just ten years ago, San Juan del Sur now makes home
to a world community of strong visioned entrepenuers

From Ostional, on the Costa Rica border just 18km due
south of San Juan, and north to Maderas, Majagual, and
Las Salinas there are countless "residential
developments." While these developments offer beauty,
convenience and western world amenities, many of us
are concerned that visitors will shut themselves off
from the people and culture who define, and are probably
the Nicaragua's most valued asset and definitely it's
greatest attraction.

In this modern world, development comes in a variety
of forms and it will be up to those visionaries who
pioneered the tourism boom in Nicaragua to steer
towards more responsible, ethical and sustainable
solutions.

As Public Law 306 provides certain tax breaks to
tourism development investors, there is no doubt that
this type of legislation will foster economic growth in this
sector, as similar legislation did in Costa Rica in the
1970's. More beneficial still are travelers like you, who
spend a little money and take home a good impression
of Nicaragua.

Above all, just remember to walk sensitively, don't be
set in your ways and the so-called industry without
smokestacks might help to provide economic benefit
to the people of Nicaragua. Don't be distracted by
the often unbalanced and unrefined vision of tourism
development from government leaders.

We will see what the future holds for all of us in
Nicaragua. Our vision of a sustainable park of travelers,
discovering the art and surf of Nicaragua will grow as it
should, organically, from the culture and the land that
will define it.