El Salvador’s Ministry of Tourism projects that the recent visit of Colombian superstar Shakira could generate up to $110 million in positive economic impact, following five large-scale concerts at the Estadio Nacional Jorge “Mágico” González in San Salvador.
The performances, part of her global “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” tour, drew a combined audience of approximately 144,000 people. Officials highlighted the significant international turnout, reporting that more than 70,000 foreign visitors traveled to El Salvador for the shows, surpassing initial estimates.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez described the concerts as a historic moment for the country’s visitor industry. “We have never seen this level of tourism in our establishments. More than 70,000 foreigners arrived — we had projected around 68,000. They came not only for the concert, but to experience the country,” she said during a televised interview.
The influx of visitors pushed hotel occupancy in the San Salvador metropolitan area to 100 percent, including traditional hotels and short-term rental properties. Coastal and beach destinations also reported strong demand, with occupancy rates reaching as high as 80 percent, reflecting the broader geographic spread of tourism activity beyond the capital.
Restaurants in the capital experienced full reservations throughout the concert dates, while beach and coastal dining establishments reported occupancy levels between 60 and 80 percent. According to the Ministry of Tourism, the projected $110 million impact accounts for spending before, during, and after the concerts, including visitor expenditures, local consumption, event logistics, service contracts, and broader economic spillover across multiple sectors.