The promotional campaign announced by the government has been described as antiquated and lacking a proper communication strategy.
The campaign to promote the country, presented yesterday by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT), left doubts among tourism operators, who say it is outdated and lacks a proper communication strategy.
Bruno Mertins, manager of the travel agency Turansa, "...
Local operators are negotiating via the Internet with European tour operators, selling the country as a destination for conventions, congresses and incentive trips.
In total 25 companies participated in a virtual exhibition tour along with operators in Europe which concluded yesterday, however, the link www.guatemalaexpo.com/2013/ will continue to operate for a month.
With the European crisis and the fall in the number of visitors from that region, the Guatemalan Tourist industry is promoting itself in emerging countries and others where there are travelers with high purchasing power.
Pedro Pablo Duchez, director of the Guatemalan Institute, Inguat, spoke at the opening of the Travel Market, saying,
"We have identified that European tourists have restricted their trips and are traveling inside Europe which is why we need new spaces for promotion ....
Guatemala's hotel sector is concerned about lack of inclusion of the tourism category within the country’s investment promotion policies.
The first version of the National Competitiveness Agenda excludes the tourism sector, confirmed Jaime Day, director of the National Competitiveness Program, who said it would be added in the new version of the agenda.