Honduran tourists generated $12.2 million in revenue for El Salvador’s economy during Morazánica Week, according to the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur). Tourism Minister Morena Valdez revealed on Thursday that 39,000 entries were registered by the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners (DGME), with 35,000 of these visitors staying overnight for tourism purposes.
Valdez highlighted that this represents a 21% increase compared to 2023. The majority of visitors entered via the El Amatillo border in La Unión, El Poy in Chalatenango, and San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport.
Mitur estimates that each visitor spent around $115 per day, staying between three to four nights. Most tourists came from Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, and other major Honduran cities to celebrate Morazánica Week, held from October 2 to 5.
Popular destinations among the tourists included La Libertad, the eastern region, and attractions such as the Santa Ana volcano and the historic center of San Salvador.
Honduran tourists have seen the largest increase among foreign visitors to El Salvador this year, surpassing those from Guatemala and the United States, according to the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur). During the first half of 2024, El Salvador received 1.9 million tourists, with 15% coming from Honduras.
This surge in tourism is attributed in part to a targeted campaign aimed at promoting El Salvador to Honduran travelers ahead of the Morazánica celebrations.