San Salvador, March 27 (Prensa Latina) Tourism is an important source of revenue for El Salvador’s economy and expectations point to further growth, according to data released today by this ministry.
Statistics cited by the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) ensure that the so-called smoke-free industry has contributed $16 billion to the local economy in 14 years, including $8,176.6 million from 2018 to 2022, showing a sustained increase in recent years despite the impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Since 2021 there has been a recovery and already in 2022 it has reached 2.5 million visits from foreigners, not counting the increase in local tourism.
During the 14 years of growth recorded by the sector, the country welcomed more than 26.2 million visitors from Central America, North America, South America, Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.
Likewise, the Mintur highlighted the increase in daily spending by hikers and visitors, which rose from $76.80 per day in 2009 to 162 in 2022, an increase of $85.20, a 110 percent increase .
The figures show that the origins of tourists have changed, as in 2009 the majority were Guatemalans and now 46 percent are from the United States, according to 2022 data.
Tourism Minister Morena Valdez estimates that these fluctuations are due to a decrease in crime and an increase in visits from Salvadorans living abroad, mainly in the United States, where more than a million nationals live.
After a surge in 2022, authorities are forecasting 2.9 million visitors and $2,900 million in revenue this year.
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