The Government of El Salvador is setting its sights high for the tourism sector in 2024, projecting to surpass the $3.8 billion mark in foreign exchange earnings. The ambitious goal is part of a broader strategy to exceed the number of international visitors recorded in 2023, aiming to welcome 3.8 million tourists this year.
El Salvador maintains its status as an international tourism hub, consistently ranking among the top four most visited destinations globally and claiming the lead in foreign visitor arrivals in the Americas over recent months.
Eny Aguiñada, President of the Salvadoran Tourism Institute (ISTU), expressed confidence in surpassing the 3.4 million foreign visitors recorded in 2023 and the generated $3.793 billion in foreign exchange.
“With the $3.793 billion in foreign exchange received from international tourists, we achieved a 43% increase compared to 2022. This truly motivates us to aim higher in 2024. As a tourism portfolio, our goal for 2024 is to welcome 3.8 million international visitors, representing a 12% growth compared to 2023, and to generate $3,800 million in foreign exchange revenue,” Aguiñada stated.
Acknowledging the challenges and ambitious targets, she credited the accelerated growth to timely actions taken by President Nayib Bukele, emphasizing El Salvador’s positive global perception.
“We understand the significant challenge ahead, and it is an ambitious goal. We recognize the upswing in tourism our country is experiencing due to the timely actions of President Nayib Bukele. Our accelerated growth is fueled by the positive global perception we are achieving,” Aguiñada added.
She highlighted upcoming major events, including surf championships, the Mexican Professional Golf Tour, the match between La Selecta and Inter Miami, and more, as catalysts for surpassing 2023 figures.
“We are making a name for ourselves as gracious hosts, capable of hosting world-class events such as Miss Universe, surf championships, and now golf tournaments. We are positioning ourselves not only as a premier tourist destination but also as a host for major international events,” affirmed the ISTU head.
Additionally, Aguiñada emphasized ongoing efforts to modernize national parks to further boost visitor numbers. In 2023, El Salvador welcomed 10.3 million visitors to various national parks, cultural sites, and protected natural areas.