El Salvador’s travel industry experienced an unprecedented surge as more than 200,000 Honduran tourists flooded the country during the recent Morazan Week holiday. The massive influx drastically shattered the Civil Protection Agency’s initial estimate of 60,000 visitors, underscoring a rapid shift in regional travel dynamics and growing international interest in the Central American nation.
Travelers ventured into major attractions across the nation, ranging from the vibrant Historic Center of San Salvador—where many visited General Francisco Morazán’s mausoleum—to world-renowned coastal hubs like Surf City and Surf City 2. Foreign visitors frequently cited El Salvador’s dramatic security transformation as a decisive reason for choosing the country for their vacations.
Civil Protection Director Luis Alonso Amaya highlighted the unexpected milestone, stating, “Around 60,000 tourists were expected, a figure that has been constant in recent years. However, we had more than 200,000 Hondurans who decided to spend their Morazan Week in El Salvador.”
Alongside the tourism milestone, authorities are launching specialized prevention and disaster preparedness initiatives ahead of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, celebrated on October 13. Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1989, the observance will feature strategic efforts to enhance national response capabilities and build long-term community resilience.