After the cancelation by Costa Rica of the traditional regional tourism event CATM, El Salvador has announced that in September it will be organizing a fair to promote itself as a tourist destination.
"This fair is El Salvador's response to the regional impasse that was experienced with the traditional Central America Travel Market (CATM), after Costa Rica decided not to host this fair, the most important on the isthmus, leaving each country to promote itself individually and not as an integrated destination", reported Elmundo.com.sv .
The Ministry of Tourism is discussing with private companies and a group of consultants draft amendments to the existing Law on Tourism.
According to Jose Napoleon Duarte, chief of tourism, what they are looking for is a legal framework consistent with the current reality of tourism, integrating unions, tour operators, transportation companies, universities, and other stakeholders.
With an investment of one million dollars the authorities have set a goal of attracting 72,000 foreign tourists during Easter week.
The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (CORSATUR) have joined forces to launch advertising campaigns, both inside and outside of El Salvador, to encourage foreign tourists to come and stay in the country during Easter week.
Income generated by the sector during the first quarter rose just 0.5%.
The flow of tourists into El Salvador continues to grow, but at low rates. During the first three months of the year, the number of visitors increased 1.4% over the same period last year.
The Salvadoran Ministry of Tourism expects for the number of tourists visiting the country to increase by 4% this year and in order to reach the goal, it has begun implementing a series of initiatives.