Spanish airline Iberia has taken a bold step in showcasing El Salvador as a “key tourist destination” by adorning its A321 planes with distinctive images of the country’s attractions. El Salvador, with its remarkable public safety and tourism strategies, has surged to become one of the world’s fastest-growing tourist destinations, trailing only behind countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Albania.
Iberia’s decision to highlight El Salvador as a crucial tourist spot underscores the nation’s remarkable progress in the tourism sector. The images on Iberia’s A321 planes showcase the iconic volcanoes of El Salvador, its world-renowned surf waves, and feature Salvadoran surfing medalist Bryan Pérez in action. The unmistakable giant rock that gives its name to El Tunco beach, resembling a pig, is also prominently displayed.
“Discover El Salvador, a country taking off and elevating surfing to new heights,” narrates the video released by the Spanish airline, depicting the meticulous process of applying vinyl images to the A321 planes.
Post-pandemic, El Salvador has secured its place as the fourth-fastest-growing tourist destination globally, boasting a remarkable 32% growth. This achievement is attributed to the nation’s public safety strategy, creating an ideal environment for welcoming international visitors.
El Salvador’s commitment to enhancing its beaches through the development of Surf City and Surf City 2 tourist corridors, with surfing as their centerpiece, has enabled the country to host world-class tournaments. These events have not only captivated foreigners but also inspired visitors to explore other attractions like the San Salvador Volcano and the Historic Center of San Salvador. The latter attracts nearly two million visitors annually since its architectural and cultural revitalization.
According to data from the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), the El Salvador International Airport has witnessed a 30% increase in tourist movement between January 1 and November 19, 2023, compared to the same period last year, and a 20% rise compared to 2019.
During this period, approximately 3.9 million national and international tourists have entered and exited through the El Salvador International Airport, marking a significant increase from the two million passengers recorded at the same time last year. The surge in tourism reflects the growing global interest in El Salvador as a vibrant and diverse travel destination.