El Salvador’s tourism industry continues its strong momentum, generating $2.1 billion in foreign exchange revenueduring the first half of 2026. This represents a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2025 and covers 58.3% of the official $3.6 billion target set for the entire year, according to Tourism Minister Morena Valdez during an interview on Diálogo 21.
International arrivals reached 2.5 million visitors in the first six months and expanded to over 2.9 million by the end of July—a 24% year-over-year surge and an impressive 94% growth since 2019, prior to the pandemic and the start of President Nayib Bukele’s administration. Key international markets continue to drive these record numbers, with regional visitors from Guatemala accounting for 41% (1.2 million), followed closely by travelers from the United States at 27% (over 778,000) and Honduras at 19% (549,000).
To sustain this growth trajectory and expand its footprint beyond North and Central America, the Central American nation is actively scaling up its global air connectivity. Direct transatlantic operations with Iberojet will launch in mid-September connecting El Salvador to Madrid and Barcelona, followed by Air Europa entering the market in December to supplement current direct service provided by Iberia and seasonal flights from Avianca.
“Our main markets currently are Guatemala, the United States, and Honduras, but travelers are visiting us from other parts of the world, so we are connecting with Iberojet and Air Europa by the end of the year,” Minister Valdez highlighted regarding the strategic focus on international route expansion.