To strengthen ties and boost tourism, Guatemala and El Salvador are joining forces to enhance bilateral travel during the upcoming Easter holidays. The Guatemalan Tourism Institute anticipates a significant influx of Salvadorans during this period, with a projection that 54% of foreign tourists will hail from El Salvador, 15% from the United States, and 12% from Honduras.
To foster closer tourism relations, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat) organized a business roundtable last Tuesday between Salvadoran and Guatemalan entrepreneurs. The event successfully facilitated over 500 interactions, providing individuals the opportunity to explore the diverse tourist destinations offered by both El Salvador and Guatemala. Harris Whitbeck, the General Director of Inguat, emphasized the goal of promoting tourism exchange between the two nations.
«It’s clear that El Salvador has a unique offering with Surf City, its beaches, and the entire surfing scene, complementing what we have to offer in Guatemala. Initiatives like these are crucial for further interaction between the two markets,» commented the Guatemalan official during a press conference.
For Salvadorans, Guatemala remains one of the top choices for religious tourism during the Holy Week. Authorities in El Salvador expect an international tourist influx of 136,977 people during this holiday period.
The tourism institution estimates that 54% will be Salvadoran tourists, 15% from the United States, 12% from Honduras, 6% from Europe, and 3% from Mexico, among other countries. Whitbeck highlighted that Salvadorans are among the primary visitors to Guatemala, reaffirming the strong relationship between the two countries.
Guatemalan Ambassador to El Salvador, Rubén Nájera, confirmed a notable recovery in Salvadoran tourism last year. «El Salvador is not only our main commercial partner but also our key tourism ally. Last year, we welcomed a significant number of Salvadorans to Guatemalan lands,» stated the diplomat.
As part of their tourism attraction efforts, Inguat has designed a strategy with three routes and nine significant destinations for Salvadorans to explore. The Northern route includes Esquipulas, Chiquimula, and Estanzuela. The Southern route features Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango, and Sololá, while the Central route allows tours through Guatemala City, Antigua Guatemala, and Tecpán.
With these collaborative efforts, Guatemala and El Salvador aim to create a thriving cross-border tourism experience, fostering mutual cultural appreciation and economic growth.