The pandemic has been hard on the people of Costa Rica, particularly in the coastal towns where Go Fish Costa Rica operates. The area relies on tourism, so the lack of foreign travelers has been devastating. That’s why Go Fish Costa Rica has made it its mission to help give back to the country they have come to love.
Go Fish Costa Rica has been serving the Guanacaste area for over a decade. Their fishing charter and tour operation provides jobs and supports the surrounding communities, which has contributed an estimated $500,000 annually to the local economy since 2012.
“The business we bring helps boat captains and crews, tours, restaurants, hotels, transit drivers, and the little stores along the way selling their souvenirs,” shares Steve Quinn, co-owner of Go Fish Costa Rica, who owns the company with his wife Liisa.
This little husband and wife operation decided to give everything they can back to their community over the years and continue to do so more than ever today.
“This is our home now,” says Steve, when describing living here as opposed to his homeland of Canada.
“These people welcomed us here and allowed us to live out our dream and it is only right that we give back when we can and are more than happy to do so. This place grows on you and the people are amazing and we have, over the years, had the privilege to meet and work with so many wonderful people; people we not only consider friends but now family and we must stick together. This has never been more certain since the Covid-19 outbreak.”
Steve says they have amped up their Fishing Package program in hopes to bring some much needed tourism to the area from around the world. Since the outbreak, Steve and Liisa have been working closely with some non-profit organizations to bring some recognition to the Tamarindo/Flamingo area in hopes to get people to visit when it is safe to do so. That is why Steve and Liisa have been working on some virtual auctions in which members of various organizations can bid on their fishing packages, which includes a five-day, four-night stay in a local hotel for four people (helping the hotel industry), as well as two days of fishing (helping captains and crews). This also includes round trip transportation from the airport (helping local taxi drivers).
“And while they’re here our restaurants and little shops all benefit as they are here spending money,” explains Steve.
Go Fish Costa Rica was recently praised for their contribution to another non-profit organization – Ducks Unlimited, which wrote an article about the company in their November/December issue of Ducks Unlimited Magazine.
The article states that Go Fish Costa Rica has helped to generate $1.7 million for conservation through trips offered at DU events.
Go Fish Costa Rica has been working with Ducks Unlimited since 2011, becoming an approved outfitter in 2014.
“You must prove to them that you are here for the long haul, dedicated to their cause, and will take care of their members year after year, something we have been proud to do,” shares Steve.
Steve and Liisa are proud to be able to support wildlife and wetlands projects through Ducks Unlimited, growing their support from just four tour packages sold that first year, to 250 packages sold yearly, all supporting the cause.
“Let’s face it, if we didn’t have all these good people looking out for tomorrow where would we be?”
Steve and Liisa will continue to support the community and world they live in, throughout the global pandemic and beyond.
“We are certain that when the time is right people will again begin to travel and our community will thrive but we must be careful when moving forward, and only time will tell, but we owe it to this community to do what we can,” says Steve continuing to be optimistic, “WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS!”
The couple would like to thank all the outfitters that have been instrumental in helping them rejuvenate Costa Rica through their partnerships: Ducks Unlimited USA/Canada, Coastal Conservation Association, Boys & Girls Club of America, Big Rock Quail Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Sick Kids Hospital, and American Heart Association.
Blog by: Jennifer LaCharite – Costa Consultants, International
