El Salvador continues to demonstrate the progress of its transformative vision for tourism development in El Salvador. This week, representatives from the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the National Administration of Aqueducts and Sewers (ANDA) met with the World Bank to present details of the Surf City project.
During the meeting, Tourism Minister Morena Valdez outlined the key components of the Surf City strategy, emphasizing both infrastructure improvements and human capital development to attract greater private investment. “In 2024, we closed the year with a 26.2% increase in visitors. The tourism sector is among those that have grown the most, reflecting the country’s overall development,” said Valdez.
She also shared updates on ongoing projects. “We have presented what we’re investing in Punta Roca, in the Surf City 1 and 2 areas, as well as other destinations—mountains, lakes, and towns. We hope to achieve concrete results and identify ways to collaborate on future projects,” she explained.
Valdez stressed the importance of global partnerships for tourism expansion. “It’s essential for us to attract investments. We know we need more investment throughout the tourism chain—hotels, restaurants, and tourist sites,” she said.
Meanwhile, ANDA President Dagoberto Arévalo discussed the institution’s role in managing water resources. “Hotels and restaurants require proper wastewater quality control, as fats, oils, and soaps increase the workload for treatment plants,” Arévalo noted.
The meeting underscored El Salvador’s commitment to strengthening its tourism infrastructure and environmental sustainability, aligning with President Bukele’s broader goal of positioning the nation as a leading destination for surf, nature, and sustainable travel.