El Salvador is taking proactive steps to adapt its economy to an aging population while tapping into high-value international travel markets. Through the Crecenta hub, local real estate conglomerate Agrisal and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted the “El Salvador 2050” workshop this Wednesday. The initiative aims to enhance productive integration, entrepreneurial skills, and financial access for individuals aged 50 and older across the nation.
Supported by President Nayib Bukele’s administration, the strategy bridges workforce inclusion with the expansion of the country’s growing tourism sector. According to research by UN Tourism and the IDB, travelers over 50 represent a key economic demographic due to higher disposable income and schedule flexibility. Consequently, the government is focusing on training local hospitality talent to better serve this influential global demographic.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez highlighted that the government is coordinating closely with international partners and the private sector to modernize infrastructure under the signature Surf City framework. “We are working with the IDB on projects aimed at improving our three pillars of the Surf City strategy, including first-rate public tourism infrastructure that meets the needs of all generations,” Valdez stated.
This public-private collaboration underscores a broader commitment to long-term sustainable development and social inclusion. As Ricardo Augspurg Meza, Real Estate Director at Agrisal, noted during the event, “The role played by each of us—public sector, private sector, international cooperation, civil society—is to build together this El Salvador of the future.”