The Tourism Ministry of Costa Rica (ICT) estimates that in 2008, tourism generated over $2.2 billion in gross receipts to the country.  The amount supersedes that of 2007 ($1.92 billion) by $280 million.  The expectation is that by the end of this year a little over 2 million tourists will have arrived to the country, said Tourism Minister, Carlos Benavides.  Yesterday a family of seven arrived to San Jose’s airport amid much fanfare as they were declared to be the “two millionth tourist of 2008″ by the ICT.  The family was that of Mark and Gretchen Biedron and their five children, who hail from New Jersey, U.S.A.  The majority of tourist arrivals this year were from the U.S.  Mark Biedron commented that the family had elected to vacation in Costa Rica because they are owners of a school in New Jersey that is oriented toward environmental sustainability.  ICT predicts that 2008 tourist growth will be less than that experienced in 2007, when growth over 2006 was 12%.  This year’s growth with respect to 2007 will be around 7% to 7.5%.  The primary reason cited for the decrease is the economic troubles of the U.S., where most tourist arrivals originate.