The Cabinet Council approved several impact measures for the reactivation of the tourism sector and the economy, including the Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025.
The Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism (PMTS) 2020-2025 will focus on strengthening the institutional capacity of the ATP, investing in the country's tourism promotion, improving the tourism products offered by Panama and in infrastructure, maintenance and basic services.
Because of the delay of the Costa Rican authorities to solve the problem of water supply in the Gulf of Papagayo, developers request that the terms of the concessions granted to them to develop tourism projects in the area be extended.
The Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) has already received requests for concessions to be extended, because some of the projects that have not been completed have already consumed half of the time they were granted.
Of the $91 million invested in tourism projects in El Salvador during 2018, 87% went to finance private works and 13% to public infrastructure.
The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) reported that among the projects with private investment are works located in the Ruta de las Flores with an approximate investment of $6.27 million, in El Tunco beach with $3.8 million, in Boquerón $1.36 million and in the Ruta Fresca $1.8 million.
An environmental impact study has been submitted for construction of a treatment and curative care center in a hot springs area in La Fortuna, Alajuela.
Data from the interactive platform "Construction in Central America" compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData indicates that Ganadera Manoa de la Fortuna S.A. submitted an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) in August to the Setena to develop, in the district of La Fortuna, province of Alajuela, a medical tourism project.
In Panama companies dedicated to the activity are complaining about the absence of a state policy or strategy to help promote the country as a destination for medical tourism at the international level.
Although Panama has all the necessary characteristics to make it a relevant market for medical tourism, a specific policy to promote the activity led by the Tourism Authority could encourage much more development of the activity in the country."...'The only disadvantage Panama has as a destination for medical tourism is that this sector has not been recognized by the state as a tourist product or a real feature of its organizational infrastructure,' said Luis Santamaría, general director of Panasalud S.A., to Prensa.com."
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.
The adaptations for tourist use at the port of Puerto El Triunfo and construction of an ecotourism park are some of the projects which will be developed with IDB funds.
The Ministry of Tourism in El Salvador has signed an agreement with the Inter - American Development Bank to allocate part of the $25 million loan formalized in 2015 to improving tourism infrastructure in the municipalities of Usulutan, Puerto El Triunfo, Berlin, Alegria, Jiquilisco and San Dionisio.
An Environmental Impact Study has been presented for the construction in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, of a residential, touristic and commercial resort called Cabo Velas which is estimated at $746 million.
The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted to the National Environmental Technical Secretariat in November 2015 by Amanda Tierra SA, indicates that development called "project for residential, tourist and commercial development, Cabo Velas", and will be located in the Tempate district in Santa Cruz, Province of Guanacaste.
A plan is being made to develop residential buildings and a 614 room hotel complex in a 25 acres area in the touristic area of Rio Hato, Panama.
The promoter of the project, Agro Playa Blanca SA, detailed in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submitted to the Ministry of Environment, that the development will be called "Agro Playa Blanca Phase II", and will be built in Rio Hato, district of Antón, province of Cocle.
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.
A law will bring benefits for a few, paid by all, discriminating against other companies in the sector, a situation which is inequitable and distorts the rules of the market and free competition.
EDITORIAL
In Costa Rica a bill to help tourism businesses affected by the 2008 crisis would forgive the interest on their debts with state banks, which, if approved, would be totally unfair for companies who have managed their situation better, getting over the crisis and are now up to date with their loan payments.
With the IDB loan approved by the Assembly, improvements will be made in docks and piers, jetties and construction of bike paths in tourist areas along the coastal strip.
From a statement issued by the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador:
The National Assembly passed with 56 votes, a contract signed between the Salvadoran government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in the amount of $25 million, which will go towards the fund for the "Tourism Development Program of the Coastal - Marina Strip".
The plan proposed by the Ministry of Tourism includes amending tourism land use, improving the promotion of the sector and implementing training programs for companies.
EDITORIAL NOTE: The text of the Plan is not available online.
As reported in an article on Laprensagrafica.com, implementation of the plan will begin in the town of San Lorenzo, and it is expected that the remainder of the year specific programs will be designed for Suchitoto, Izalco, Panchimalco, Perquín and San Vicente. This plan includes the participation of municipal authorities, the private sector and government.