The average european tourist plans trips less than a year in advance and searches and books tour packages via the internet, without using intermediaries.
A study by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute to identify best prospectsfound that"... generally Europeans decide on their holiday destination less than a year in advance and in most cases organize their trips independently i.e., without using intermediaries. It was also found that the most used methods of finding information include recommendations from friends, search engines and online travel agencies and websites promoting the destinations.
From May 26 to 27, 170 wholesalers from Europe, and North and South America will be meeting with Central American tourism companies to explore business opportunities.
Insecurity and high political uncertainty are preventing growth of private investment in the country, increasing the gap with the rest of Central America.
A third and final call has started for companies and investors interested in participating in the development of projects in the program 'Apuesta por InversionES'.
Applications are open for national and international companies with the financial capacity to invest anywhere in the country.
Elsalvador.com reports that "...Interested investors should do so in a new project or expansion of an existing one in the category of tradables, which includes goods or services that can be traded internationally, said a statement issued by Fomilenio II.These are projects that can be set up in any part of the country, with a minimum investment of $100,000 by the applicant. "
On June 21 and 22 local and foreign tourist companies will be meeting to discuss issues such as using technology as a tool for promotion and hearing about successful experiences from other countries.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:
The Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) and the Panamanian Chamber of Tourism (CAMTUR) will be holding from June 21 to 22 the first National Tourism Convention "Juntos por Panama" (CONATUR), to establish a strategy with all stakeholders in the sector, which will strengthen the country's tourism supply.
When it comes to making a choice, there is a clear preference by travelers for "green" hotels and tourism products, confirming that the sustainability of the tourism business only makes sense when the sustainability of the area is guaranteed.
In her blog in Elfinancierocr.com, Katiana Murillo highlights the growing preference of tourists worldwide for hotels which have environmentally friendly practices, even if it means paying higher rates.
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 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.
Between January and July 2014 the number of tourists who came into the country increased by 4.7% compared to the same period in 2013, and they spent on average $108.6 per day, which is 3% more.
From a statement issued by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador:
During the International Tourism Expo 2014 held in Panama, 3,276 business contacts were made between international wholesaler buyers and tourism businesses in the region.
From a statement by the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):
As the nation with the greatest potential visitors, the U.S. has chosen Costa Rica as the site of an Advisory Council to promote the northern country as a tourist destination throughout Central America.
After receiving complaints about the amount of paperwork that has to be filled out and visa requirements needed in order to visit the country for tourism as well as the slow speed of processing, the government has decided to implement the Brand USA Act, to streamline procedures and facilitate the promotion of the country as a tourist destination.
The trend of renting out non-hotel accommodation for a few days is global, and it will grow even more in the next 5 years, so regulating it will be a better solution than banning it.
In Central America Panama is the country where the phenomenon of Holiday Rentals shows the highest growth, despite a law prohibiting it. According to an article in Prensa.com, the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP) "... has imposed eleven fines of $55,000 for renting out apartments to tourists for periods of less than 45 days."
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.
With the signing of an agreement with the tourism wholesaler El Corte Inglés, 600 agencies in Europe and Latin America will promote the country as a tourist destination.
From Monday, 600 agencies which are part of the Spanish tour operator El Corte Ingles, distributed in Europe and Latin America, began promoting El Salvador as one of their destinations.
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