In the first half of the year $218 million came into the country, 10.3% more than the $197.5 million generated in the same period in 2013.
Details from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) show that "... Between January and June Nicaragua received 650,008 foreign visitors, representing a growth of 7.1% compared to the same period in 2013, when the country received 607.155 tourists. "
So far in 2013 the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism has added $50 million to projects in the tourism sector.
"A total of $50.1 million has been approved by the board of incentives in its first nine sessions, which has superseded the goals set for 2013," said Mayra Salinas, chief executive of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur).
There are still two more sessions so the amount designated for tourism projects could go up.
During the first quarter, the Intur approved tourism incentives for the purchase of aircraft and three hotel projects.
"Between January and March this year, the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) approved $20.5 million for tourism incentives for small and medium businesses, and expects to increase that amount to more than $51 million at the end of the first half of 2013 ", reported Laprensa.com.ni.
The budget for promoting the country as a tourist destination in international markets increased by 60% for 2012.
With an increase of 60% for international publicity, the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) wants to implement campaigns that are "more aggressive" in promoting tourism.
"Julio Videa, marketing director of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur), explained that for advertising in Central America the budget will be almost triple, going from approximately $200,000 in 2011, to half a million dollars this year," reported LaPrensa.com.ni.
With an investment of about $20 million the Institute of Tourism has announced the construction of two marinas in the Caribbean and a hotel in Leon.
The investments are of Italian and Spanish origin, explained the head of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur), Mario Salinas.
With an initial investment of about $15 million, one of the marinas will be built in Bluefields Bay and the other on Corn Island, in the south Caribbean, said Juan Manuel Muñoz, manager in charge of the proposed marinas. Construction work is scheduled to start in late December.
Intur, the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, unveiled its Tourism Plan for 2010, which uses the slogan “Nicaragua única… ¡original!” (Nicaragua unique... original!).
To foster both domestic and foreign tourism, the country will promote itself through regional trade shows. One of them was the First Northern Regional Tourism Fair, organized by Intur between April 30th and May 1st 2010, which showcased agriculture, crafts and culture from the country’s north.