Talking sloth woos tourists

GlobalPost

A talking sloth wants you to come to Costa.

"Hello Americas, I'm a sloth," begins a video from Costa Rica's new tourism campaign. "A sloth that lives in the happiest country in the world."

Aimed at tourists in the United States and Canada, the campaign called "Costa Rica’s Million Dollar Gift of Happiness” is giving away $1 million worth of vacation packages.

The idea is to lure tourists by highlighting Costa Rica's status as one of the happiest places in the world.

"Some people ask me: Why are Costa Ricans so happy," the sloth says, before answering his own question. Biodiversity, he says, along with two oceans, friendly locals and talking sloths.

It's the first time in 16 years that the country's tourism board has launched an advertising campaign in the U.S. and Canada, according to a statement. The organization is trying to increase visitors to Costa Rica by 5 percent.

Watch a video: The real live sloths of Costa Rica

Follow Stephanie on Twitter: @stephaniegarlow

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