In the first of a series of happenings across the United States, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) today celebrated the launch of the country’s new North American marketing campaign, “Save the Americans,” with a massive pop-up sand sculpture of a sloth, a monkey, a turtle and a toucan all pleading “Even a Bull needs to be a sloth sometimes” in heart of the Financial District.

Wall Streeters rushing to work stopped to smile at and take selfies next to a huge sand sculpture of the most representative animals of Costa Rica. The message to overworked Americans? “You NEED some time away – come relax in Costa Rica.”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM4kdy39ZIY

“Wall Street is synonymous with work; therefore, we decided to launch a unique, original concept that would generate conversations about our country – and it did. A sand sculpture in the middle of downtown Manhattan is the last thing anyone would expect. We feel that by putting the warmth of Costa Rica face-to-face with the Bull of Wall Street on the coldest day of the year so far, who wouldn’t stop and think about making use of their vacation days to visit – or revisit – our country,” said Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism, Wilhelm von Breymann.

A recent study by Expedia.com found that over 500 million vacation days in the United States go unused – 40 million in Canada. Looking to save Americans – and Canadians – the ICT’s new marketing campaign targets overworked North Americans while positioning Costa Rica as the ideal natural oasis for maximum enjoyment during any vacation period.

Visit Costa Rica, www.visitcostarica.com.