Construction has started in Tola of a mixed tourist complex estimated at $20 million which includes 12 houses, a four-story tower with 18 apartments and a commercial area.
Travis and Lucas Boychuk, promoters of the tourism project that will be located in Gavilán beach, reported that for the tourism development called "Surf Ranch Hotel & Resort-Emerald Coast Popoyo", they will be building condominiums, apartments, restaurants, an events center, commercial premises, swimming pools, a spa, casino, gym and other amenities.
A development company has started in Rivas the construction of a 1,800 square meter hotel with 24 rooms, two meeting rooms and other amenities.
Without disclosing the total amount of the investment, representatives of Gran Victoria S.A. stated that on February 1 construction started of a hotel that will be located in the center of the city of Rivas, which will have a swimming pool, restaurant and a basement.
$200 million is the figure by which investment in real estate development is estimated to increase between this year and next in the nicaraguan tourist city.
Estimates by the municipality of San Juan del Sur are based on the growth that real estate investment has experienced in this area since 2014. According to Deputy Mayor Randall Granja Fajardo, there are several projects underway and another five are awaiting approval.
Entrepreneurs in the sector forecast ending the year with a growth of 5% compared to last year, when 1.5 million tourists visited the country.
Both tourism authorities and private unions believe that with the increase in tourists expected in the Christmas and year-end season, the year will close with an increase of around 5% in the total number of tourists.
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:
A delegation of tourism entrepreneurs led by the owner of Air Europa are in Managua to explore business opportunities with the government and local companies.
The entrepreneurs who make up the group represent companies linked to the tourism sector, such as the airline Air Europa, tour operators and others. Representatives from the government explained to Elnuevodiario.com.ni that the businessmen "... are going to meet with the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, aeronautical authorities and ProNicaragua."
In Nicaragua, a law is being prepared to facilitate concessions for the development of marinas, piers and yacht clubs, with the aim of encouraging tourist activities such as sport fishing.
The bill is an initiative by private sector entrepreneurs, who want to attract foreign investment to develop tourist activities that are centered around marinas, such as sport fishing.
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.
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.
Growth of 9% per year is part of the rewards brought about by incentives for the sector and the opening up of government by working in partnership with private enterprise.
Incentives for tourism have been vital to the creation of new projects in this sector. This is the view of Leonardo Torres, president of the Nicaraguan Chamber of Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (Cantur), who spoke to Elnuevodiario.com.ni.
Employers claim that at least six projects have been delayed pending analysis by the Board of Tourism Incentives, which has not been in session since the departure of its president two months ago.
There are at least six investment projects in the tourism sector that should have been analyzed by the Board of Tourism Incentives, which, drowning in bureaucracy, is unable to hold sesion because a new president has not been formally chosen.
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.