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.
The union of private companies is preparing a plan for promoting tourism development in San Juan del Sur and Tola, where more than $130 million has already been invested.
The area of San Juan del Sur and Tola, Rivas, has all the characteristics needed to become a tourist destination, but basic infrastructure in the area needs to be improved along with conditions to attract more foreign investment.
Participating for the first time are Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates as exhibitors, and buyers will be coming from Germany, Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Italy, Colombia and Sweden, and other places.
From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (CCIAP):
International Tourism Expo, in its seventh version, will feature more than 150 exhibition booths, which will be displaying to national and international companies, working in different areas of tourism, in 3,000 m2 of the Atlapa Convention Center in the exhibition which will be held on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 May.
Average daily spending per tourist fell by 13.4% compared to 2014, with average stays registered of 17 days.
From a statement issued by the Central Bank:
The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) has published the annual results of inbound and outbound tourism, corresponding to 2015.
According to data published by the NCBs, the per capita average daily expenditure realized by non-resident visitors who entered the country in this period was $41.5, mainly driven by spending on the part of tourists from South and North America, a result similar to 2014 ($41.8).
In August representatives of the tourism sector in the Caribbean will gather together in Managua to discuss issues related to the promotion of sustainable tourism.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "...At that meeting, bringing together representatives of the tourism sector in the Caribbean countries, themes and projects related to sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean Sea will be discussed, said the coordinator of the Communication and Citizenship Council, Rosario Murillo. "
The plan is to invest $4 million in the first stage of a tourist complex of 22 blocks, including a residential area, a hotel, two club houses and a restaurant, 5 km from San Juan del Sur, in Nicaragua.
Southern Coastal Properties, founded with US capital, is the developer of the project and its president, Joshua Taylor, told Elnuevodiario.com.ni that "...
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.
Investments include an airfield in Tola, residences in Sardina beach and modernization work in the ports of San Jorge and San Juan del Sur.
Investments totaling $43 million, are distributed with $20 million for the residential project in beach Sardina, $12 million for the airport in Costa Esmeralda, $8 million to modernize the port San Jorge and San Juan, with the remaining funds being used in other related works.
Preparations are being made for the opening of a training center to improve the quality of services provided in the main tourist city of Nicaragua.
The Tourism School will focus on training for businesses in the city of Granada, with an academic program focused on "... providing accommodation, reception techniques, food handling, tour guides and techniques for guides, among other things. "
A hotel in Estelí is part of the projects that will benefit from the tourism incentives approved by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism so far this year.
From a statement issued by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR):
TOURIST BOARD APPROVES OVER 10 MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT FOR TOURISM
INCENTIVES
Over 10 million dollars has been approved by the Board of Tourism Incentives in the third ordinary session held by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR).
An announcement has been made that this year will see the start of construction of a hotel and condos on the Pacific coast in the municipality of Tola, Rivas department.
The project which will be developed in an area of 55 blocks in Sardinas Beach already has an environmental permit and was ready to continue with the process when the indigenous community of the area began a process against it.
At the end of 2014 110 hotels were operating in the main tourist city of Nicaragua, where three new establishments plan to open to the public during the year.
Tax incentives granted by the Nicaraguan government have allowed employers in the hotel sector to increase their investment in Granada, which in 2014 received 521,000 tourists, according to figures from the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism.
Tourism entrepreneurs disagree with the list of countries in which the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism has announced it plans to promote the country.
The tourism promotion agenda includes a visit to the United States, the Netherlands, Finland, Spain and Germany, among others, where tourism facilities on offer for 2015 will be presented. With this initiative it is expected that more than 1.4 million foreigners will be received, which would equate to about $440 million in foreign exchange.
Between January and November 30th tax breaks for private investment projects were approved as well as 9 public ones, estimated at $95.7 million, up 125% compared to the same period in 2013.
Added to the approval for incentives for investments worth $95.7 million are more supplies for tourism, including 12 hotels, adding 283 new rooms. It is expected that by the end of 2014 incentives for investment in tourism will reach $100 million.
Between January and September, the Nicaraguan Tourism Board approved eleven new hotel investment projects that will add 248 new rooms to the market.
The Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (Intur) reported that the approved investment amounts to $32 million for hotels in various municipalities, including the Caribbean zone.
Mayra Salinas, executive president of Intur, told Eleconomista.net that "...