El Salvador is set to become the top tourism growth hotspot in Latin America, with projections from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) indicating a substantial surge in the first half of 2024.
Currently, El Salvador stands out as one of the most significant tourist destinations in Latin America, boasting captivating landscapes, short distances, delectable cuisine, rich culture, the warmth of its people, and a privileged position as one of the safest countries in the region. These factors position El Salvador ahead of its neighbors, making it a must-visit destination.
According to the latest trends report for the first half of 2024 by the WTTC and specialized consultant ForwardKeys, El Salvador experienced a remarkable 157% growth in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019. Riding on this momentum, the WTTC projects that El Salvador will lead in international tourist arrivals in the January to June period this year in Latin America.
These estimations align with the growth forecast of the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), anticipating around 3.8 million foreign visitors in 2024. This figure would surpass the historic 3.4 million arrivals in 2023, generating $3.793 billion in foreign exchange.
The analysis also highlights Central America as the most favored subregion in this year’s tourism trends. Nicaragua secures the second spot with a remarkable 142% growth, followed by Guatemala with 42%, and Costa Rica with 35%. Comparatively, other prominent destinations like Mexico and Colombia are expected to grow by 31% and 23%, respectively, comparing the results from the first half of last year with the same period in 2019.
The WTTC attributes this Latin American tourism boom to an «increase in passenger capacity by airlines, with seat numbers during the first half of this year surpassing 2019 levels by 16%, totaling 62.3 million seats.»
Highlighting the crucial role of specific countries, the WTTC identifies the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, and Germany as «the most important source markets for the Latin American region.»
Natalia Bayona, the Executive Director of UN Tourism, recently acknowledged the tourism potential in the region. She identified emerging markets as key drivers of global tourism recovery, singling out El Salvador, alongside Colombia, Curacao, and the Dominican Republic, as major contributors. Bayona praised El Salvador’s robust growth, attributing it to «President Bukele’s security and confidence-building policies.» El Salvador’s ascent as the leading tourism destination in Latin America underscores its appeal and the success of strategic initiatives fostering safety and trust in the region.