During the last year it was reported that the average stay of tourists was 10.5 days, which represents an increase of 11% compared to what was recorded in 2016.
The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) reported that "...Average daily per capita expenditure made by non-residents who arrived in the country was 44.9 dollars, which represents growth of 0.2percent with respect to 2016. The biggest expense was reported by tourists from North and South America."
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."
The international and local campaign that the tourism authorities has started running includes, among other things, advertising spots on board United Airlines flights.
Representatives of the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) reported that the market segments that will be promoted are low-density sun, beach, adventure or active tourism, nature, culture and identity tourism, rural community tourism, agrotourism and ecotourism and gastronomy. It also includes business tourism, wellness, cruises and nautical tourism.
The First Congress of Tourism Integration will be held on the March 22nd and 23rd in Panama City, with the objective of establishing a road map for the sector.
With this conference the Tourism Authority of Panama is aiming to bring together the different players in the industry in order to establish the roadmap for the sector.
Sustained growth has been projected in "wellness" tourism in the region, which still needs to make efforts to differentiate promotion of this type of tourism from medical tourism.
In Guatemala, the category of wellness tourism is included under medical tourism, but authorities intend to identify separate specific promotion mechanisms for each of the segments. In Costa Rica, figures from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute indicate that "... According to the aerial survey of foreigners in 2014, which is conducted quarterly at international airports in the country, about 38% of tourists said they had taken part in wellness activities during their stay. "
When it comes to making a choice, there is a clear preference by travelers for "green" hotels and tourism products, confirming that the sustainability of the tourism business only makes sense when the sustainability of the area is guaranteed.
In her blog in Elfinancierocr.com, Katiana Murillo highlights the growing preference of tourists worldwide for hotels which have environmentally friendly practices, even if it means paying higher rates.
The natural revitalization in preserved areas such as Mombacho Volcano, Granada islets and the archaeological park on Zapatera Island are part of the recovery plan.
From a press release issued by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur):
Through means of more than fifty of activities to be held this year, INTUR will be united with tourism businesses, the Alcaldías del Poder Ciudadano de Granada, as well as other government institutions, as part of the relaunch of Granada as a tourism destination.
Go Blue Central America is an interactive map to share with the rest of the world the uniquiness and authenticity of the marine and coastal areas of Central America.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and National Geographic (NatGeo) presented "Go Blue Central America", an interactive map on the internet designed to promote tourism in the Isthmus.
Despite the downturn in the major economies, more and more tourists traveling the globe are looking for the kind of experiences that Central America has to offer.
The opportunities are there. Demand for tourist destinations such as the ones Central America can offer is firm and is increasing every year.
Central America showcased itself as a sustainable tourist destination at the International Tourism Board fair.
The region exhibited its tourism offer by focusing on the protection of the environment.
EFE quoted Allan Flores, Costa Rican Tourism vice minister, as saying: "tourism sustainability certificates are good for the sector and help in mitigating the effects of climate change".
At the International Tourism Fair inaugurated today in London, Central America is projecting itself as a combined brand.
On Opening Day of the World Travel market where nations from around the world present their tourism offer, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama share the same presentation and the same purpose: to become a "valuable combination for foreign markets" and take advantage of the fact that "European visitors want to see more than one country" when they fly such a long distance.
The course is given entirely over the Internet using the Virtual Classroom teaching model established and recognized by the Educational Portal of the Americas.
The Organization of American States (OAS), via the Educational Portal of the Americas (www.educoas.org), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), via its Distance Training Center (CECADI), are currently training the first 96 participants of the "Agro-eco-tourism: Basic elements for implementing an innovative tourism project" course. The group is made up of citizens form various member countries of the OAS and include those individuals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Uruguay y Venezuela.
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2017