The country expects around two million visitors for the last days of 2022 and early 2023, which would exceed the number of 2019 (Covid-19 before the pandemic) with around 1.8 million.
According to the President of the Chamber of Tourism, Rolando Schweikwert, the forecasts will definitely come true with the mixture of domestic travelers and the stronger influx of foreigners.
Guatemalans used to celebrate the New Year in various tourist spots or recreation centers, unlike Christmas, another celebration in the family nucleus.
Key locations already topping the list include the colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez, followed by the Pacific Beaches (Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, and Escuintla coasts), Quetzaltenango, Panajachel, Retalhuleu, Esquipulas, Las Verapaces, and Petén.
In Antigua, according to city officials, economic recovery is at a high level, and both hotels and restaurants offer various options for waiting for the New Year, from dinners, concerts and visiting museums as part of the cultural program.
The World Heritage-listed town has a 2,750-room floor plan and is 100 percent occupied, according to records, hence the heavy deployment of security forces planned for these days.
Also, the theme parks and the hostels of the Institute for Workers’ Recreation of the Private Company of Guatemala in Retalhuleu are full and there are even New Year’s packages in Xetulul.
Compared to other times of the year, December has school holidays and part of the workforce, making it the best time of year for the industry.
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