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.
Between January and September, 965,369 tourists arrived in the country, 7.1% more than in the same period in 2013.
From a statement issued by the investment promotion agency of Nicaragua:
Nicaragua, with a steadily growing tourism industry, received 965,369 visitors up to September this year, which is giving rise to new hotel investments, said the executive president of the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute, Intur, Mayra Salinas, yesterday after stating that "on October 21 we will probably pass the one million tourists figure. "
In coordination with the guild of private companies the Tourism Authority of Panama has announced the beggining of the international campaign "Vive Panamá".
At a meeting between government officials and companies in the sector strategies and development plans for the tourism industry in the medium term were reviewed.
The manager of the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), Jesus Sierra Victoria, reported that for November the ATP will bring forward the campaign "Vive Panamá" which begins on the 1st and ends on the 31st, with offers for tourists, including dining and shopping .Tourists will receive personalized attention at airports with information on tourist sites in Panama, he added.
The Government of Panama sold for $19 million a plot of land measuring 17 acres in Punta Batele to a company associated with London Regional.
According to a resolution of the Cabinet Council of Panama from April 8, 2014, "... Ridgebell International, SA will develop at the site No. PS01-5 Punta Batele, a project for a high quality resort which encompases ecological preservation, which includes creating a hotel component, beach club, residential development consistent with the topographical conditions, social areas, ecotourism and environmental assessment (including canopy and nature trails, etc.), general amenities such as swimming pool, gym, restaurant, bar, spa and complementary structures. This project will be integrated with and complementary to the ongoing development within the Panama Pacific, by London & Regional (Panama) SA "..." with a minimum investment of $50 million. "
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 current law provides a number of incentives for tourism but does not include some segments such as medical tourism and residential real estate for foreigners.
Two years ago the private sector promoted a law reform but it was not successful, which is why the Government is now taking up the issue again after an analysis of the current situation of the sector.
Af the end of the second exhibition for tour operators projections are that $5.7 million has been transacted in business deals which will materialize in the medium term.
This was confirmed by Ana Mercedes de Lembke, president of the Guatemalan Chamber of Tourism (Camtur). The activity which ended yesterday, included 1,145 business meetings between 40 local tourist service companies and international buyers from 15 countries where Guatemala was not included as a tourist destination.
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.
The advantages offered by the country for more than 20 million surfers worldwide, makes the sport as a key ingredient in tourism development.
Among the advantages of this tourism generating sport is the fact that it does not require much infrastructure in order to start generating revenue, what really counts is the impact of the waves, which is a natural resource.
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.
Guatemala's hotel sector is concerned about lack of inclusion of the tourism category within the country’s investment promotion policies.
The first version of the National Competitiveness Agenda excludes the tourism sector, confirmed Jaime Day, director of the National Competitiveness Program, who said it would be added in the new version of the agenda.
In 2011 $405 million was invested in projects in the tourism sector, and 2012’s investment is estimated at $842 million.
From a press release from the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP):
There is no doubt that tourism in Panama is taking giant leaps when beach projects are attracting thousands of visitors from around the world who choose to come to the isthmus to have their best vacation ever.
As part of the proposal for Fomilenio II, the government has announced several projects for creating a nucleus of attractions in various parts of the coastal zone.
Among the plans for the development program FOMILENIO II using funds from the U.S., the National Institute of Tourism is promoting the creation of tourist development as part of a strategy that aims to increase tourist visits and create more jobs for the sector.