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 2016 tour operators handled the arrival of 58,000 tourists who spent an average of $140 per day, and also provided their services to another 66,000 visitors who arrived on their own.
According to the study "Impact of Tour Operators in the Development of Tourism in Nicaragua", prepared by the American University (UAM) and the National Chamber of Tourism of Nicaragua (Canatur) " ... 58% of the tour operators that are working in the country were founded after the year 2000 and 41% correspond to the year 2015, which indicates that this sector is booming as an option for the local development of many departments in Nicaragua."
Companies in the sector expect to generate $660 million in revenue this year, mainly driven by an increase in tourist spending.
In addition to an increase in the number of visitors to the country, companies in the sector also expect a rise in the average daily expenditure of tourists, which at the close of the third quarter registered anincrease of 8.5% compared to the previous quarter.
Lack of control of unofficial businesses that are setting up on the coasts is preventing further development in areas with high tourism potential such as San Juan del Sur.
The business community argues that the Law for the Development of Coastal and Environmental Conservation is not being complied with, as unofficial businesses such as restaurants and hotels are being allowed to set upon the coasts.
In light of the announcement of a campaign to promote tourism in Nicaragua "through embassies and consulates," entrepreneurs are recommending the utilization of professional methods.
Tourism entrepreneurs believe that the "Pride of my country" campaign is insufficient to achieve the impact required to Nicaragua as an important tourist destination in the region.
The Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism has unveiled a strategy which aims to increase the number of tourists especially in summer, promoting the main tourist routes in the country.
It is expected that the plan called "Nicaragua Our Summer 2015", will be implemented from February and will run until April this year.
In the Summer Fair to be held on the 28th and 29th of March tourism companies from Latin America and the U.S. will see the country's tourism supply.
On the 28th and 29th March the second edition of the Summer Fair will be held in Nicaragua, in which tourism businesses from Latin America and the United States will get to see the tourism services on offer in the country, confirmed the National Chamber of Tourism (CANTUR).
On 25 and 26 April 2014 the fifth edition of the International Tourism Fair will be held in the Crowne Plaza Convention Center.
Enrollment is now open for local tour operators who wish to participate in the event. The National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur) and the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) are the entities organizing the fair.
The aim is to attract tourists through means of hosting international surfing tournaments, an activity which moves more than 35 million people worldwide.
Lucy Valenti, chief executive of the tourism company Turismo e Inversiones S.A.SA states that "there is a decision to support the implementation of international tournaments which are putting Nicaragua on the world surfing map". Currently, Alas Tour Classic 2013 is taking place in the country.
The National Toursim Chamber is preparing for the third edition of the international fair which will take place on the 13th and 14th of April 2012 in Nicaragua.
The event, in which 130 national companies are expected to take part in, alongside 35 to 40 wholesalers from Europe, The United States, Central America and Canada, has as its goal to make people aware of the riches, both natural and cultural, that Nicaragua has to offer to international tourism, and its advantages over other destinations in the region.
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