Costa Rica has approved four new initiatives designed to aid the country’s tourism restart, which takes the total number of actions to 20 after 16 health protocols were launched last year.

A £2.6 million investment in tourism infrastructure in protected areas such as Corcovado national park and Marino Ballena national park is among the new measures, along with a two-year permit extension to transportation companies and flexible working hours for public workers.

The flexible working scheme is hoped to encourage time off and contribute to domestic tourism, while an increase in credits for women in rural tourism areas and businesses in need of new equipment supports both diversity and the tourism restart.

This news comes as Costa Rica celebrates 200 years of independence in 2021 and announces a partnership with the National Forestry Financing Fund, which is focused on reducing the country’s already low carbon footprint and fighting against climate change.