The Salvadoran government, led by President Nayib Bukele, continues to create development opportunities for young people across the country. In line with this effort, the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) has launched Gastro-Lab Surf City San Miguel, expanding the successful culinary training program to the eastern region of the country.

Gastro-Lab Surf City San Miguel is the fourth facility of its kind in El Salvador, joining the existing centers in La Libertad, Santa Ana, and La Unión. This initiative is designed to provide free technical training for young people aged 18 to 35 in areas such as cooking, nutrition, food hygiene, customer service, and personal development. The program is a collaborative effort between MITUR, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

At the launch event, Minister of Tourism Morena Valdez highlighted the importance of this initiative and the strong support from international organizations. “The world has changed, and this government—under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele—always tells us to focus on the people,” she stated. She also emphasized that the program prioritizes young people and women, ensuring that their dreams and aspirations can be fulfilled within El Salvador. “We want the Salvadoran dream to be a reality, especially here in the eastern region.”

Valdez encouraged the program’s beneficiaries to take full advantage of the training. “At the end of the day, we are working for you, to make El Salvador a world-class tourism destination,” she said. She also praised the University of Gerardo Barrios for adapting to the unique methodology of the program, recognizing its role in supporting this initiative.

Carolina Barreto, Deputy Director of the World Food Programme, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to the project. “Today is a very special day. We celebrate the inauguration of Gastro-Lab Surf City San Miguel, the first in this city and the fourth nationwide. This is an essential part of the technical training and job placement program carried out by MITUR and financed by the IDB, of which we are proud partners,” she stated.

With the launch of Gastro-Lab Surf City San Miguel, the Salvadoran government continues its mission to empower young people and strengthen the country’s tourism sector, positioning El Salvador as a leader in culinary excellence and sustainable development.