 By 2004, tourism was generating more revenue and foreign exchange than bananas and coffee combined.In 2016, the World Travel & Tourism Council's estimates indicated a direct contribution to the GDP of 5.1% and 110,000 direct jobs in Costa Rica; the total number of jobs indirectly supported by tourism was 271,000.A pioneer of ecotourism, Costa Rica draws many tourists to its extensive series of national parks and other protected areas.