El Salvador is positioning tourism as a primary economic engine for 2027 through a comprehensive public investment package currently under legislative review. Central to this strategy is a $103 million allocation for the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT) to modernize and expand San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport. Planned upgrades include a new four-story parking structure, expanded boarding gates, upgraded baggage claim areas, and enhanced cargo terminal capacity to accommodate growing international arrivals.

Complementing air gateway expansion, the budget designates $85.5 million directly to core tourism development and promotion. The Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) will direct $30 million through Corsatur to support over 4,000 tourism businesses and international marketing efforts, while $22 million goes to MOPT for Phase II of Surf City. This coastal project prioritizes expanded road corridors across La Libertad, Usulután, and San Miguel, along with pedestrian paths, scenic lookouts, and crucial wastewater treatment infrastructure to safeguard coastal ecosystems.

At the local level, the Directorate of Municipal Works (DOM) will oversee $140 million in community development programs with a strong tourism focus. Projects aim to revitalize historic centers, public plazas, and cultural districts—most notably in the Historic Center of San Salvador, which has drawn over $200 million in private investment. Investments also target natural recreational spaces, including eco-parks and lakeside facilities across various departments.

Official data underscores the sector’s momentum, with 3.2 million international tourists visiting El Salvador between January and August, 27% originating from the United States. Additionally, 6.5 million internal visits to public cultural and natural sites generated $2.88 billion in foreign exchange revenue, reinforcing the strategic drive to expand capacity across key travel hubs.