The projection of tourism in El Salvador continues to strengthen, with the government of President Nayib Bukele ready to welcome international tourists and Salvadoran residents abroad seeking to enjoy the country’s diverse tourist attractions during the upcoming «Agostinas» holidays.
According to government estimates, around 75,000 international tourists are expected to visit El Salvador, while over 1 million locals and tourists alike will explore the Historic Center, national parks, cultural sites, and protected areas.
This surge in tourism has contributed significantly to the country’s economy, with approximately 1.6 million tourists having arrived in the country, resulting in a substantial influx of $1,600 million in foreign exchange. Additionally, the domestic tourism industry has seen around 5.2 million people engaging in local travel.
The tourism boom has had a positive impact on the employment sector, generating around 20% of new jobs in the tourism industry, particularly in restaurants, hotels, and related services.
The Director General of Migration and Immigration, Ricardo Cucalón, revealed that they are anticipating a significant flow of approximately 468,000 entries and exits of both nationals and foreigners during the holiday period. This represents a 24% increase compared to the 328,456 recorded during the same period last year.
To cater to the influx of visitors, Migration will deploy over 450 officers at various terrestrial, aerial, and maritime immigration checkpoints across the country. Additionally, at the El Salvador Airport, 1,600 personnel will be available to attend to all visitors, as announced by the President of the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), Federico Anliker.
Benjamín Mayorga, the Director General of Customs, emphasized the efficiency of the electronic declaration system used by tourists at the airport, which has streamlined processes. Since its launch, 140,000 declarations and 1,500 merchandise operations have been successfully carried out.
The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, disclosed that the country is expecting the arrival of approximately 75,000 international tourists during the «Agostinas» holidays, which is projected to contribute close to $70 million in foreign exchange.
Furthermore, Valdez anticipates that around 511,000 people will visit the national parks, and an additional 500,000 tourists will explore the Historic Center of San Salvador.
According to Valdez, El Salvador has become an essential destination for tourism due to the government’s efforts in implementing security and tourism measures under President Bukele’s leadership. These strategies have enabled the country to surpass pre-COVID-19 tourism figures.
«We have achieved our goal for June 2023. We have reached record numbers. In June alone, we welcomed over 104,000 visitors from the United States, with the diaspora contributing significantly. Additionally, we are witnessing an increase in visits from American residents and citizens, as well as tourists from other countries,» explained the minister.
With the ongoing commitment to tourism development and the implementation of streamlined procedures, El Salvador is poised to enjoy a prosperous and successful holiday season, benefiting both the local economy and international visitors eager to explore the country’s unique and captivating offerings.