Visits by foreigners to undergo medical procedures in Costa Rica last year generated $437 million, 5% more than was registered in 2016.
According to figures from the Central Bank of Costa Rica, medical tourism revenues have shown sustained growth, as in 2015, 2016 and 2017 there were reports of increases in relation to each of the preceding years of 9%, 16% and 5% respectively.
Following 2017's 5% increase in the arrival of foreign tourists, the authorities foresee an increase of 6% for this year.
Regarding the figures on domestic tourism, authorities in the sector estimate that last year this item generated an economic spillover of about $2.122 million, an amount that they aim to exceed in 2018.
After the year 2017 provided the sector with income of $840 million, 31% more than in 2016, the union has carried out a new review and plans to generate up to $900 million this year.
In the first five months of the year the country received 42,000 more tourists than in the same period in 2013.
Confirming the upward trend in the flow of tourists coming to Nicaragua, in the first five months of the year alone 545,174 tourists visited, 8.3% more than in the same period in 2013, when the figure was 503,077.
The executive president of the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, Mayra Salinas said in an article on Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "... between 2007 and 2013, the number of tourists visiting Nicaragua grew by 65%."
In the first two months of 2014 the country had 227,812 visitors, 7.6% more than in the same period in 2013.
The executive president of the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, Mayra Salinas, highlighted tourism growth of 7.2 %, exceeding by 3% the 4% expected in Central America in 2014.
"The vast majority of tourists came by land, mainly through Costa Rica, and through Managua International Airport, while 8,796 did so via cruises, she added. "
In 2013 tourists entering the country generated revenues of $904 million while last year the figure was $772 million.
Data from the Ministry of Tourism in El Salvador shows that during 2013 1,822,003 tourists entered the country, 17% more than the 1,738,317 people who visited the country in the previous year.
"Jose Napoleon Duarte, Minister of Tourism said:" El Salvador is becoming an easy destination to reach because we are connected to the major cities of America and there are more flights, that gives us a major boost for tourism in our country".
Building on the momentum that the industry gained from the Central American Cruise Convention 2013 the best tourist sites in the country are being promoted.
According to the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT), thanks to the implementation of strategic plans and new campaigns, the results from cruise tourism have been satisfactory. 628,550 tourists were recorded last year and 668,403 in the first quarter of 2013.
On 13 May, Costa Rican businessmen will meet at a business forum in which they will study strategies to position Costa Rica as a destination for the European market.
From a press release by the National Chamber of Tourism of Costa Rica (CANATUR):
The European region represents one of the main markets for attracting tourists to Costa Rica, which, according to figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), received 284,996 visitors from Europe, which means about 12% of total reported income in 2012.
In the first seven months of the year 1,236,000 visitors came to the country, 5.4% more than the in same period in 2011, with the majority of tourists coming from the U.S.
The increase in the number of visitors has not been sufficient to cover the greater supply of hotels, which experienced a drop in occupancy rates of 7%.
Hotel industry representatives point out that in order to maintain the occupancy level above 60%, the increase in the number of tourists would have to be 15%.
Tourists who arrived in the country in 2011 provided $615 million in revenue, 18.7% more than in 2010.
In terms of quantity, 2011 closed with 1,634,679 visitors, 62%, from Central America, 30% of the U.S., 4% from South America, and 4% from Europe.
"'Foreign exchange earnings from tourism have a real impact for the Salvadoran economy, as this represents a contribution of 2.9% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP)', said the head of tourism, Jose Napoleon Duarte .
The Lufthansa City Center group of agencies has chosen the country as the tourist destination of the year.
Despite the economic crisis on the old continent, Europeans are still traveling, and Panama has become one of the favorite destinations for those who choose to vacation farther afield.
Arrivals of European tourists to Panama have increased significantly in recent months, and one of the reasons behind the rise is a promotional drive by the Panama Tourism Authority, at various tourism fairs in Europe.
For the first time, the canal country has more tourist arrivals than its neighbor Costa Rica.
Marketing strategies implemented abroad, coupled with the increasing flow of foreign investment into the country, are two of the main reasons for the notable growth in the number of visitor arrivals to Panama.
In the third quarter of the year, Costa Rica, a major recipient of tourists in the region, recorded a 4% decrease in tourist flow, while Panama experienced an increase of 11%.
During 2010, tourism revenues were $7,341 million, of which $2552 were generated in Panama, $1961in Costa Rica, $1378 in Guatemala, $650 in Honduras , $518 in El Salvador, and $281 in Nicaragua, .
According to a preliminary report by the Central American Tourism Integration Secretariat (SITC in Spanish), tourism revenues in the region grew by 0.9% compared to 2009 and the number of visitors increased by 3.8%.
Between January and July the flow of tourists arriving in the country grew by 11% compared to the same period in 2010.
Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela are among the countries from which the largest number of tourists entered Panama in the first seven months of the year.
Other countries from which substantial numbers of tourists came from were Canada, Colombia, Ecuador and Costa Rica, with growth of 5.9%, 46%, 7.7% and 3.6% respectively.
Tourism has become one of the pillars of Panama's economy with potential for annual growth of between 12% and 15% per year, equivalent to income of $2-3 billion.
As of last year there were 19,688 vacation rooms in Panama, 1,713 more than in 2009 and it is estimated that the number will continue to rise. The increase in tourism infrastructure has been matched by increasing numbers of travelers.