International tourism grows 25 % each month in El Salvador compared to 2023

Thanks to the dynamics registered by the sector, the Tourism portfolio expects to exceed the goal of 3.8 million visitors by the end of 2024. The sector went from representing 6.39 % of GDP in 2019 to 14 % in 2024.

The Minister of Tourism, Morena Valdez, affirmed that tourism is growing by 25 % each month compared to the indicators registered in 2023 and that this dynamism could lead to surpass the goal of 3.8 million international visitors for this 2024.

“We have around 20 % and 25 % growth every month versus 2023, which was already a very good year for us in terms of international visitors. We expect to surpass the goal (3.8 million), just as we are seeing the behavior of international arrivals,” the official said.

This milestone, according to the head of the portfolio, has led the country to be recognized by international entities as one of the top five worldwide in recovery and growth of the tourism sector.

“According to UN Tourism, El Salvador is one of the five countries worldwide that has grown the most in attracting tourism. We have received more than 2 million international visitors up to June, a record figure for us that places us as a leading country in the region,” he said.

That growth in the sector has also impacted the positive dynamics of the national economy, going from representing 6.39% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019, to an estimated 14% by the close of 2024, according to Valdez.

“It is important everything we are doing from all our State portfolios, but tourism is being that important pillar of the GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, just last month placed us as leader in the region and that the sector is going to represent 14 % of the GDP this 2024. The International Monetary Fund also placed it as one of the fastest growing sectors, together with the construction sector”, he remarked.

For Valdez “the great challenge is to sustain this growth” and to achieve it he indicated that a strategy is being worked in parallel to strengthen human talent at the request of entrepreneurs, in addition, he said that more public and private tourism offer is being built.

The articulated work of government institutions has also led the private sector to redouble its bets on tourism infrastructure, according to Valdez.

“That is why there are more announcements of private investment, not only in Surf City, but also in the Historic Center of San Salvador, which is being reborn and changed with first class investment. Shopping malls, hotels, supermarkets, restaurants are under construction in Surf City I and Surf City II is starting with ecological boardwalks, public bathrooms and showers and lifeguard towers, as a second major commitment to tourism in the east of the country, “concluded the head of Tourism.

Source: Diario El Salvador