New health and hygiene protocols in the establishments and the commitment to attract national tourists in an environment where short trips will be preferred, are some of the trends predicted in the new "normality" that will come after the quarantine period.
Given the quarantines decreed by most governments worldwide, it is anticipated that the habits of tourists will change dramatically in the short and medium term, as the crisis of covid-19 will leave consequences among consumers.
Some of the most notable effects caused by the spread of covid-19 is the cancellation of at least 8,000 hotel nights in Costa Rica, and the interruption by Iberia of its flights from Madrid to Guatemala and San Salvador.
Businessmen in the region agree that due to the virus that has been spreading from China, supply chains have been interrupted, which is combined with a drop in the transit of people, causing losses to the tourism sector.
Because of the crisis affecting the country since April last year, it is estimated that during 2018 the losses of the Nicaraguan tourism sector totaled $440 million, and more than 62 thousand jobs disappeared.
The arrival of tourists to the country is another figure reporting a considerable decline last year, since between 2017 and 2018 the number of visitors who came to Nicaragua fell 55%, going from 1.7 million to 800 thousand.
Between the first and second quarters of the year, the average daily per capita expenditure made by tourists who arrived in Nicaragua fell from $45.7 to $37.7.
From a report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
September 19, 2018.The average daily per capita expenditure made by incoming tourists was 37.7 dollars in the second quarter of the year and registered a decrease of 17.5 percent compared to the previous quarter, highlighting spending by tourists from other regions and North America, however, due to the affluence of tourists who visited the country, spending by tourists from Central America and North America has greater relevance.Year-on-year, this indicator reflected a decrease of 17.3 percent
The union of tourism entrepreneurs estimates that the country will receive 1.9 million tourists, and they expect the activity to generate close to $830 million.
Combining efforts on promotion and marketing in order to attract more tourists from South American countries is one of the goals proposed by the National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur).Figures from the trade union indicate that the average daily expenditure of South American tourists exceeds the general average.
In the third quarter of this year tourists who arrived in the country stayed an average of 10.3 days, registering an increase of 15% compared to the same period in 2016.
From a report by the Central Bank of Nicaragua:
The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) published on November 24, 2017 the Tourism Survey Report for the third quarter of 2017.
For the period 2017/18 81 cruise ships are expected to arrive in the country, which represents a 14% increase over the previous season.
The increase in arrivals of cruise ships is combined with greater availability of infrastructure and reduction in landing times, since, according to the National Port Company have "...new docks allow tourists arriving in San Juan del Sur on a cruise to disembark in an hour and a half, which is half the time it took before ...".
In the second quarter of the year, incoming tourism recorded an average stay of 10.3 days, reflecting a year-on-year change of 7.1% and 3.5% compared to the first quarter of 2017.
From a report by the Central Bank:
On August 23, 2017, the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) published the Tourism Survey Report for the second quarter of 2017.
In 2016 tourism activities were worth $642 million, which is an increase of 22% compared to 2015.
Growth in revenues in the tourism sector was 21.6% compared to 2015, explained mainly by improved results in all indicators for the sector.
The average stay of tourists rose by 9%, average daily expenditure grew by 8% and the influx of tourists into the country recorded an increase of almost 10%.
Companies in the sector expect to generate $660 million in revenue this year, mainly driven by an increase in tourist spending.
In addition to an increase in the number of visitors to the country, companies in the sector also expect a rise in the average daily expenditure of tourists, which at the close of the third quarter registered anincrease of 8.5% compared to the previous quarter.
The average daily expenditure per capita rose by 8.5% compared to the previous quarter, led mainly by increased spending by visitors from Europe.
From the report "Tourism Survey III Quarter 2016" by the Central Bank:
In the third quarter of 2016 in terms of inbound tourism, the average daily expenditure per capita recorded a rise of 8.5 percent compared with the previous quarter, mainly driven by increased spending by visitors from Europe (36.1%).The interannual variation of average expenditure was 18.2 percent.In contrast, the average length of stay recorded a fall of 7.5 percent compared with the previous quarter, impacted by less stays by tourists from Europe (-34.3%) and South America (-15.7%).The annual rate of change of the average length of stay was -7.9 percent.
Projections are that 2016 will close with a growth of 6% compared to 2015 in terms of the number of tourists visiting the country.
In 2015 the country received 1.4 million tourists, and for 2016, the National Chamber of Tourism forecasts growth of 6%, and an increase in the income generated by the activity, which in 2015 totaled $528 million.
Average daily spending per tourist fell by 13.4% compared to 2014, with average stays registered of 17 days.
From a statement issued by the Central Bank:
The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) has published the annual results of inbound and outbound tourism, corresponding to 2015.
According to data published by the NCBs, the per capita average daily expenditure realized by non-resident visitors who entered the country in this period was $41.5, mainly driven by spending on the part of tourists from South and North America, a result similar to 2014 ($41.8).
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.