Strike hits Costa Rica tourism with big losses

The nationwide strike of public servants that stretched for all of last week in Costa Rica has cost the tourism industry millions of dollars, according to Canatur, the tourism chamber.

Business leaders have criticized the strikers and their unions as being irresponsible and have offended foreign visitors. "It makes me sad to see how badly the tourists are being treated," said Sary Valverde, the president of Canatur.

Sales of tourism agencies have dropped by half, tours have been cancelled and internal transfers can take as much as 10 hours.