El Salvador solidified its status as a rising corporate and travel destination during the Forbes Business Travel El Salvador 2026 forum, hosted in partnership with the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA). The summit brought together high-level executives and international decision-makers to examine how regional air connectivity, hotel investments, and technological innovation are re-shaping business mobility across Central America.
Speaking at the event, Forbes Editorial Director for Central America Yandira Núñez underscored that national competitiveness relies on hosting major corporate milestones, noting that global business travel spend is projected to reach $1.71 trillion by the end of 2026. Highlighting the country’s strategic advantage, Núñez remarked, “For this reason, today we are in El Salvador, a country experiencing a remarkably significant expansion in its tourism activity.”
The nation’s rapid rebound is backed by strong international performance. According to UN Tourism, El Salvador ranks among the top three fastest-recovering destinations post-pandemic. Tourism Minister Morena Valdez revealed that the country has already welcomed 3.5 million international visitors through September, setting its sight on a 4.2 million threshold, while emphasizing that “public-private partnerships, trade associations, and academia must unite to achieve sustained growth.”
Regional leaders also highlighted expanding flight routes and charter operations that position the nation as a key multi-destination gateway. With Central America and the Dominican Republic targeting a 4% tourism growth over 2025—a year that saw 30,000+ visitors generate $31 billion in foreign exchange—El Salvador continues to leverage its geographic advantage and modern infrastructure to attract high-value conventions, meetings, and foreign investment.