Last year hotel and restaurant activities in Nicaragua grew by 6% compared to 2016 and added $500 million to the GDP, which represents 4% of the total production.
According to figures from the Central Bank of Nicaragua, last year the activities of hotels and restaurants "... grew by 7%, favored by an increase in the arrival of visitors from abroad and an increase in arrivals of cruise ships to the country's main ports."
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) " ...
The union of tourism entrepreneurs estimates that the country will receive 1.9 million tourists, and they expect the activity to generate close to $830 million.
Combining efforts on promotion and marketing in order to attract more tourists from South American countries is one of the goals proposed by the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur).Figures from the trade union indicate that the average daily expenditure of South American tourists exceeds the general average.
Between 2010 and 2016, the number of tourism companies grew by 47%, and in the same period, the number of transport companies and travel operators increased by 320% and 160%, respectively.
In 2010 the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute counted 62 businesses dedicated to providing travel organization services, and last year, this figure reached 161, thanks to the growth experienced in tourism in the country.
A new measure imposed by Nicaraguan immigration authorities requires foreigners who intend to enter the country to file a "notice of entry" seven days in advance.
The Nicaraguan business sector, particularly companies working in the tourism industry, regret the government's decision to implement this measure. The only thing it does is to discourage the entry of foreigners, who in their vast majority come to the country to take part in tourist activities.Complaints have arisen from El Salvador and other nations about the difficulties of this new measure, especially from tour operators and tourist companies that manage trips to Nicaragua from neighboring countries.
On October 18 in Managua hotel and restaurant representatives will be taking part in business meetings with food and beverage suppliers and other companies in the sector.
The IV Hotels & Restaurants Fair, organized by the National Chamber of Tourism, will take place on October 18 at the Crowne Plaza Convention Center.
The business sector is proposing to the government that regulations be made more flexible and that the use of drones over 100 feet high be allowed in agricultural, tourism and construction activities.
Businessmen from the construction sector argue that currently they have to rent a helicopter in order to take pictures and videos of works in development, the same as in the agricultural sector, where the inability to use drones raises costs in activities such as crop fumigation.
The health tourism segment, still in its infancy in the country, could achieve a higher degree of development if a strategy is implemented jointly by tourism companies and medical centers.
Low prices of treatments and medical infrastructure are the main factors which favor growth of the medical tourism segment in Costa Rica, which could also be applied in Nicaragua, once a work plan starts to be implemented which involves coordination between hospitals, government and companies in the tourism sector.
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.
From June 9th to 10th local tourism businesses will be meeting with 50 wholesalers from the United States, Europe and South America, to explore business opportunities.
The International Tourism Fair will be held at the Convention Center Olof Palme, on June 9 and 10.
Lucy Valenti, president of Canatur, told Elnuevodiario.com.ni that"...
Tourism entrepreneurs have suggested setting up a border post in El Naranjo in order to encourage the arrival of international tourists coming from Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
The announcement of the possible construction of a coastal highway in the Pacific, represents an opportunity for entrepreneurs in the tourism sectorto further enhance the development of tourism in the area and also provide a route for foreign tourists arriving at the Liberia airport in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Projections are that 2016 will close with a growth of 6% compared to 2015 in terms of the number of tourists visiting the country.
In 2015 the country received 1.4 million tourists, and for 2016, the National Chamber of Tourism forecasts growth of 6%, and an increase in the income generated by the activity, which in 2015 totaled $528 million.
Three bills are being prepared to encourage construction of marinas and condominiums for tourism, and the promotion of sport fishing.
The initiative to reform the Law on Investments in Condominiums is being prepared by the union of construction, tourism and urbanization, and aims to "open the regime of condominiums up to tourism investment"in order to continue forming the basis of infrastructure necessary for the region to consolidate itself as tourism destination.
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.