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.
The Salvadoran government approved the construction of Plaza Marinera, which will have a 10,000 m2 area and will be in La Libertad Port.
The El Salvador Ministry of Tourism (Mitur) reported that Plaza Marinera will be built within a year and the work will require an investment of approximately $5.6 million. According to the authorities, the resort is expected to receive more than one million national and international tourists per year.
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.
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.
Tourism investments above $25000 and categorized as of national interest will be able to enjoy tax incentives for another five years.
"... They shall be entitled to the following incentives: exemption from taxes on real estate transfer, exemption from customs duties on the import of their goods, exemption from payment of income tax for a period of ten years and partial exclusion of municipal duties imposed for the period of 5 years from the start of operations relating to tourism activities for up to 50% of its value. "
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.
The Central Rail Summit 2015 will be held in El Salvador, from May 13th to 15th, where it is expected that 15 corporations from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association will be involved.
The Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR) hopes to have the participation of 30 union members who will be publicizing various tour packages offered by shipping lines.
$91 million is the estimated amount of the investment projects which have already been approved or are pending which will receive the tax incentives offered by the government for investment in the tourism sector.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador (MITUR):
The Minister of Tourism, Lic. Jose Napoleon Duarte Duran announced that during 2014 and 2015, private investment in the tourist industry which has been or is in process at the institution which is eligible to benefit from tax incentives, amounts to $91,731.
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 funds will mainly be applied to infrastructure construction projects in the Gaza coastal marine area and loans for tourism SME's.
The Inter-American Development Bank has provided a loan of $25 million for a program of tourism development in the coastal marine strip.
This was announced by Minister of Tourism, Jose Napoleon Duarte, adding that once the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved the loan "we move on to the country's internal processes" for ratification by Congress.