El Salvador is gearing up for what promises to be a record-breaking influx of international visitors during the upcoming Holy Week. The Ministry of Tourism anticipates approximately 126,000 international tourists to grace the country’s shores, marking a significant 15% increase compared to 2023. Leading the charge in terms of visitor origins are the United States, Guatemala, and Honduras.
According to Tourism Minister Morena Valdez, this surge in international visitors reflects the growing allure of El Salvador’s tourism offerings, often hailed as the “Pulgarcito of America.” Last year, the country welcomed 102,055 international visitors during the same period, making this year’s expected figure a substantial boost.
The arrival of foreign tourists during Holy Week is poised to inject a substantial $110 million into the country’s economy in terms of foreign currency, surpassing the $95 million recorded in 2023.
Minister Valdez emphasized that tourism remains a pivotal economic driver, made possible through collaborative efforts across governmental institutions and the implementation of strategic measures championed by President Nayib Bukele.
“This coordinated effort we’re witnessing wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of all our teams. We’re not just working to attract visitors but also to encourage investment,” affirmed the Tourism Ministry head during the unveiling of the 2024 Summer Plan.
She further underscored that El Salvador continues to be a significant tourism destination, attracting not only visitors but also individuals interested in residing and investing in the country.
Migration and Passenger Flows
Aligned with Mitur’s projections, Federico Anliker, president of the Autonomous Executive Port Commission (CEPA), disclosed that they anticipate servicing over 240,000 passengers at El Salvador International Airport during Holy Week, averaging 16,000 travelers per day. This represents a substantial 30% increase from the previous year.
To accommodate this surge, authorities will deploy over 1,800 personnel from various government institutions at the airport, along with 100 officers from the National Public Security Academy and traffic managers from the Ministry of Transportation.
Anliker detailed the airport’s two parking lots, one general and one VIP, with a combined capacity for 2,100 vehicles, catering to travelers leaving their cars while journeying and families dropping off or picking up loved ones.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Cucalon, director of Immigration and Foreign Affairs, projected a total migratory flow of 507,500 entries through all of the country’s borders during Holy Week, marking an 11% increase from 2024.
He noted the deployment of over 500 personnel to assist Salvadorans and foreign visitors entering and exiting the country.