Services for alternative medicine and dentistry are those most requested by visitors.
Promotion work by professionals in the sector grouped around the Committee on Tourism, Health and Welfare of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) has generated a sustained increase in the sector since 2007.
Professionals who were consulted agree that the price of services offered is crucial to getting clients.
With the aim of increasing exports to Mexico and Central America's, Guatemala’s export sector has developed a new strategy.
Trade missions will focus on cities in southern Mexico (Merida and Cancun) and Central America (San Pedro Sula in Honduras, San Salvador in El Salvador and San Jose in Costa Rica).
Francisco Menendez, president of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) talked to Elperiodico.com.gt about the new dynamics of the trade missions, "... they will consist of 4 groups of 25 companies who will conducted trade missions to these cities from next September, promoting two products for each exporter. The program will last six months. "
Guatemalan exporters will discuss best practices to increase their competitiveness.
The Exporters Association of Guatemala (Agexport), together with the Spanish company Barcelona Design Centre, will give talks to businessmen, which will provide advice on improving designs in each of the processes and production levels.
This will enable companies to stand out better in a world of increasingly competitive business, where the details of how processes are designed are vital.
The old continent has become an important destination for Guatemalan exports.
The fairs organized by European countries and trade missions by Guatemalan businessmen, together with the government, are two of the reasons for the increase in exports to countries like Germany, Italy and Belgium, among others.
In addition, the economic crisis affecting the United States, historically the main destination for sales abroad, has forced them to look for new markets for Guatemalan products.
Six new free trade zones will operate in Guatemala, making the total 24 nationwide.
The new zones are located in Guatemala, Villa Nueva, Zacapa, Quetzaltenango, Puerto Quetzal and Tecun Uman, according to Economy Minister Luis Velasquez.
An article in Siglo21.com.gt, reports, "He said that in these areas commercial activities in manufacturing, industry and services will be developed.
The exporters' association estimates that this year foreign sales will exceed $10 billion.
The rise in international demand and improved prices has led the Guatemalan association of exporters (Agexport) to revise upward its forecast for exports this year.
In early 2011, industry representatives predicted an increase of just 8%, well below the current estimated range of 18% to 22%.
$109 million worth of seafood goods where sold abroad in 2010, 13% more than 2009, when $96 million were exported.
In terms of volume, Guatemalan seafood companies shipped 50.9 million pounds in 2009 and 48 million pounds in 2010, reported the Guatemalan Exporters Association (Agexport).
"Even though revenue increased for most seafood goods, one of the most important, shrimp, continued trending down due to adverse climate change", noted Prensalibre.com.
The plan seeks to increase from the current 500 patients per year to 5.000 by 2012.
"To achieve these goals it is necessary to generate public-private partnerships and for the state to promote medical tourism as a priority," said Claudia Del Aguila from Agexport.
The initiative also foresees 20.000 patients by 2015 and 75.000 in 2020. If goals are met the country could generate revenues of about $ 870 million over the next decade.
The export sector dropped to 8% from 13.7% growth prospect for 2011.
The Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported that the 14.8% increase in the minimum wage for the textile sector is the reason for the low growth prospect.
"Projections indicated a growth of 13.7% to 15.4%, representing $ 1.112 billion more to the projected end of the year $ 8.144 million.
The Guatemalan Exporters Association presented its 2011 agenda, which includes 36 trade promotion events.
The first will be the agricultural show “Agritrade” on March 17th and 18th, followed by its textile equivalent, the Apparel Sourcing Show, on March 22nd to 24th.
Expomueble Centroamérica will take place on September 21, together with arts and crafts expo “New World Crafts”.
There is an estimated 30% increase in the sector´s outlook for next year.
The Commission on Contact Center & BPO, of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) noted that recruitment targets are subject to better English language training.
Ninoshka Linde, marketing director for 24 / 7 Customer, stated to Elperiodico.com.gt: "Next [year] we expect to continue growing, but that depends heavily on the bilingual talent available.
In the last twenty years the country increased its exports from 8 to 131 markets and from 149 to 4.075 products.
There has also been an increase in exporting companies from 237 to 3.979, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters.
“Fanny D. Estrada, Director of Competitiveness and Market Access of Agexport, said that penetration in other markets originated with the approval in 1989 of the Law on Incentives for Export Activity, which allowed the arrival of companies which already had foreign markets for their products,” reported Sigloxxi.com.
The "Encadenamientos Empresariales" (business linking or chaining) program from Agexport will be presented in other countries.
The Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) has developed the program for five years, supporting and training 54 rural SMEs.
Agexport Development Manager, Ivan Buitrón said to Sigloxxi.com"...each country should adapt the model to their own needs, but the main idea is to promote public-private partnerships and train farmers reducing poverty and improving nutrition."