Businessmen and officials attribute the drop in visitors to several factors, low air transport to the area (Petén), prohibition of passengers from Mexico and security problems.

Faced with this reality, the director of Inguat, Jorge Samoya, told Prensalibre.com: "... we seek greater connectivity to Petén with flights from the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Cancun, through AeroMexico Airlines, Delta and British Airways ... we will have talks with the Director of Immigration to allow the transportation of tourists entering from Mexico."

Source: prensalibre.com

More on this topic

Drop in Archaeological Tourism in Guatemala

August 2013

Insecurity and the economic crisis in Europe are the reasons that only the site of Tikal is maintaining its usual flow of visitors.

Even though from June to August is the peak season for tourism in Europe and North America, operators in the sector have reported a decrease in the number of visitors, especially in the regions of Tikal, Peten, Guatemala Antigua, Sacatepequez, and Panajachel, Solola.

Tourism in El Salvador Falls Because of Border Tax

June 2013

The collection of the Fund for Victims of Traffic Accidents has caused tourism in the country to fall by 6% between January and May.

According to the Minister of Tourism, Jose Napoleon Duarte there was a reduction of 6,865 Guatemalan tourists. "If you take into account that the average daily spend by a Guatemalan tourist is $39.40 and the average stay is 2.2 days, foreign exchange losses amounted to $595,000," said the official..

Guatemala: Concern Over Drop in Tourism from U.S.

October 2012

The number of American tourists received from January to August 2012 was 7.1% lower than in the same period of 2011.

When taking into account all sources of tourists, there has been a slight rise of 2%.

Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "According to Inguat, between January and August a total of 1,270,809 tourists arrived in the country, an increase of 2 percent versus the same period in 2011, when 1,246,066 tourists arrived. "

Insecurity Affects Tourism in Guatemala

February 2011

The safety warnings issued by Germany have affected the flow of tourists from that country.

Guatemalan tour operators and wholesalers say that several countries have issued warnings, Germany being the strictest.

According to Prensalibre.com, "the cancellation of visits began in 2009, worsened in 2010 and expects to continue, as promotions of national tourist sites still are not appearing in German catalogs aimed at potential travelers."