Businessmen from the Panamanian tourist sector welcome the arrival of Air China flights in March 2018, but consider it will be a challenge to attract a type of tourist that seems to prefer very different destinations than those offered by Central America.
In a region which for many years has specialized in serving North American tourists and more recently Europeans, preparing to provide the attention demanded by tourists from China will be a challenge, according to the Panamanian tourism entrepreneurs themselves.
In the past 12 months, 78 environmental impact studies were submitted to develop hotels, marinas, clubs and beach residences in Central American countries.
Data from the interactive platform "Construction in Central America", compiled by the Business Intelligence Unit at CentralAmericaData:
Using the Pura Vida Wellness concept, Costa Rica intends to take advantage of a global market valued at $563 billion, with tourists whose average spending exceeds 130% of global average tourist spending.
The aim of the Costa Rican Institute is to develop this segment, which has great market potential, in order to diversify and consolidate the country's tourism supply.Global wellness tourism grew by 11% between 2013 and 2015, according to data from Global Wellness Tourism Economy.
A bill being prepared by the government intends to extend tax breaks for investment in the sector, focusing on exemptions from the payment of income tax and import products, among other things.
All activities pertaining to the tourism production sector such as car rental businesses, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, among others, will be taken into account in the new draft law, which aims to increase the competitiveness of Honduras as a tourist destination in the region.
A promotion exercise is being carried out of the "Best Service" certification in the region in order to improve service and positioning of SMEs in tourism.
In order to improve the service and prestige of small and medium tourism enterprises in the region, the Federation of Tourism Chambers of Central America (FEDECATUR) is promoting the "Best Service" certification.
In the Summer Fair to be held on the 28th and 29th of March tourism companies from Latin America and the U.S. will see the country's tourism supply.
On the 28th and 29th March the second edition of the Summer Fair will be held in Nicaragua, in which tourism businesses from Latin America and the United States will get to see the tourism services on offer in the country, confirmed the National Chamber of Tourism (CANTUR).
The Maya Medical Travel Summit will be held on 17th and 18th of July and will offer conferences and business meetings with representatives from companies.
El Salvador Medical Holding (ESMH) will hold a medical tourism congress called "Maya Medical Travel Summit" on the 17th and 18th of July in the Central American nation.
"The meeting will include lectures on medical tourism, business conferences, workshops and visits by international facilitators, who are responsible for sending patients to destinations that offer these services."
The resort in the Caribbean of Honduras in which $98 million has been invested will open in early 2014.
The project is located in the Bay of Tela and has a golf course, a five-star hotel, spa and other areas . "The important thing is the impact it will have on the community, as more than 400 people will work on the project, most of the area, and I think the resort will bring great benefits to this region," said Camilo Atala, president of Indura .
The 2013 edition of Expotur is to receive 180 representatives from international companies at the Hotel Wyndham San Jose Herradura on the 9th and 10th of May.
A statement from the Costa Rican Association of Tourism Professionals (ACOPROT) reads:
Country's Main Tourism Exchange Market Prepares its XXIX Edition
- From 9th to 11th the 29th edition of Expotur will be held at the Convention Center at the Hotel Wyndham San Jose Herradura.
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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.
What is essential is that the quality of tourism services on offer be increased, particularly ensuring that tourists are not affected by the criminal violence that pervades the region.
The Trujillo Beach Eco-Development has been announced, with an investment of $50 million in an 600 hectare area which will feature residences for Canadian and Israeli citizens, in the form of condominiums and a hotel.
To date 40% of the total planned cost has been invested, which is $50 million. The "Trujillo Beach Eco-Development" project will be developed in a 600 hectare area in the area of Viejo Marañones, in the vicinity of Lake Guaymoreto.
With the first payout of a $15.9 million from a syndicated loan worth $24 million, construction of the second stage of the tourism project in Honduras will begin.
The banks, Ficohsa, BAC Honduras, Ficensa, Rural Development Bank in Guatemala and Panama's Banco Pichincha had already approved a syndicated loan of $24 million to finance the tourism project.
Tourism authorities from the region agreed on actions to increase the number of visitors by 20% in 2012 if compared to 2010.
10 million visitors would contribute $8.5 billion in revenue, compared to $6.8 million in 2010, according to estimates from authorities.
Jorge Samayoa, Guatemalan Tourism Minister and host of the event where regional tourism authorities discussed several issues, explained that they will attempt to position the brand “Central America, so small, so big” (Centroamérica, tan pequeña, tan grande) in the international market.