Tourism "boom" demands greater hotel infrastructure in El Salvador

The Government is working with businessmen to facilitate the development of a greater hotel infrastructure given the massive arrival of tourists.

El Salvador continues to attract thousands of international tourists thanks to different global positioning strategies promoted by the Government of Nayib Bukele, to this phenomenon is added the local dynamism achieved by the same Salvadorans who have decided to make domestic tourism a safe country.

However, this tourist “boom” has exceeded the accommodation capacity of the estimated 3,500 hotels distributed throughout the national territory, but with greater emphasis on areas considered of high tourist potential, such as Surf City and the capital, San Salvador.

The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, explained that this portfolio is “making an effort” to stimulate entrepreneurs in the sector to invest in hotel infrastructure.

“We have already positioned El Salvador as a safe country to visit, now comes all this organization that must be done in the territory with the businessmen”, said the official.

Specifically, Valdez pointed out that an estimated 6,000 “keys” of lodging are required in the national territory. “The great affluence of visitors that El Salvador receives must be satisfied with a greater tourist offer. El Salvador is a leader in tourism growth in the Central American region, now the challenge is to make this growth sustainable and this will not be achieved only by the Government, but by all of us together”, he remarked.

The Ministry of Tourism estimates that the country will receive close to 126,000 international visitors, which represents an increase of 15% compared to 2023 when 102,055 visitors arrived in the country. The main destinations of origin will be the United States, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The arrival of foreigners during Easter Week this year will leave the country with an economic spill of $110 million in foreign exchange, surpassing the $95 million received in 2023.

While data from the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners estimates a total migratory flow of 507,500 entries through all the country’s borders, representing 11% more than in 2024.

Source: Diario El Salvador