The Government of El Salvador, through the Ministry of Tourism (Mitur), has launched a $106 million support program aimed at the recovery and expansion of the tourism sector, with financing provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The announcement was made during the 2025 Procurement and Contracting Fair, where state institutions with IDB-backed financing contracts presented their current and upcoming projects.
The initiative seeks to strengthen El Salvador’s national and international competitiveness in tourism, through a comprehensive approach that includes six key components:
- Tourism governance and institutional strengthening
- Demand management and a tourism innovation and intelligence system
- Strategic investments in priority destinations
- Infrastructure and innovation development
- Support for the tourism productive ecosystem
- Enhancement of tourism offerings with a gender, sustainability, and climate-resilient focus
According to Yliana Reina, coordinator of the program’s implementing unit, one of the major upcoming bids is for the design and construction of a solid waste transfer plant, scheduled under the International Public Bidding (LPI) modality for the second half of 2025. The program also includes $500,000 for international procurement of waste separation containers, reinforcing the sustainability component of the tourism strategy.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez highlighted that significant infrastructure investments are currently being executed, particularly in the Surf City II corridor, with bidding processes already underway. She also noted that training programs for human capital are being carried out through partnerships with educational institutions, focusing on language skills, technical competencies, and soft skills.
Valdez emphasized the importance of supplier participation in the fair: “This platform helps companies understand the IDB’s procurement rules and gives them access to compete for large-scale government projects. We seek responsible, competitive suppliers who align with the vision of the new El Salvador.”
This investment signals El Salvador’s continued efforts to build a resilient, innovative, and globally competitive tourism industry—anchored in sustainability and inclusive development.
