El Salvador is starting a housing development between subdivisions, residences and apartments, as well as commercial construction with hotels with different capacities and amenities.
CentralAmericaData's Commercial section provides an up-to-date list of public and private construction projects that have submitted Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) to the respective institutions in each country.
Although most activities in the country reopened at the end of August, hotel occupancy levels are still low and business people fear they will be forced to cut more jobs or close operations.
Following the removal of some of the restrictions imposed in Guatemala by the covid-19 outbreak, the hotel sector reports a rise in occupancy, reaching a level of 25% on August 15 and 16.
Adapting spaces in the restaurant area, selling themselves to tourists as a clean and safe establishment, are some of the strategies that hotel sector businessmen plan to apply in order to adjust to the new commercial reality resulting from the health emergency.
The spread of covid-19 has forced health authorities to restrict the mobility of people and to close several establishments, with hotels being one of the most affected.
Following the spread of covid-19 and the restrictions placed on people's mobility, the country's hotel sector warns that there is a risk of bankruptcy if a financial rescue plan is not implemented.
Managers of the Salvadoran Association of Small Hotels of El Salvador (Hopes) claim that hotels and the tourism sector were among the first to receive the economic impact of the crisis resulting from the health emergency, and will be among the last to recover.
Because the facilities do not meet minimum quality standards, 79% of registered accommodations in Guatemala are classified as not recommended.
The Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) reported that most hostels, pensions, small hotels and other hotel facilities in the country are considered as not recommended because "they do not meet quality standards and are not suitable for domestic and foreign tourists to visit."
With 76 beds, a restaurant and 146 parking spaces, the hotel Suites Terraza Imperial has opened in zone 13 of the Guatemalan capital.
The hotel is being promoted as an ideal establishment for business travelers and for those who visit the capital of Guatemala for medical treatments.
Elperiodico.com.gt reports that "...Terraza Imperial is a hotel with executive focus, and is luxurious, comfortable and accessible, a concept that complements the services needed for short stays for business trips or long stays for those seeking medical treatment, for example."
Hotel renovations and the opening of new establishments are planned next year in Guatemala, in a market where the occupancy rate is around 60%.
Despite the fact that the occupancy rate has not exceeded 60% in the last two years, growth of the hotel market in Guatemala continues, especially in the metropolitan area.In this location, the areas of greatest demand continue to be those near the road to El Salvador, Cayalá and the sector near La Reforma Avenue.
Between 2010 and 2015 the number of tourist accommodation establishments went up by 73%, and the total number of available rooms increased by 53%.
Data from the Central American Integration System (SICA) indicates that in 2010 Nicaragua registered 8,880 rooms and had 771 business establishments used to accommodate tourists.At the close of 2015, there were almost 14 thousand rooms and 1,057 establishments such as hotels, hostels and cabins.
The US budget accommodation group G6 Hospitality has announced that within five years it will build ten hotels in Belize, Costa Rica and Panama.
From a statement issued by G6 Hospitality:
DALLAS, Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- G6 Hospitality, known for its iconic economy lodging brands, Motel 6 and Studio 6 in the U.S. and Canada, today announced that it is extending its footprint to Central America.
Three out of four hotels reported not having shown an improvement in their operations in 2015.
Results from the study "Tourism sector 2015, challenges to overcome, "prepared by the Association for Research and Social Studies (ASIES), underscores the need to modernize industry, improve strategies for promotion and attracting tourists (50% of the hotel respondents claimed to have no website).
An announcement has been made of the upcoming tender for the construction of a 26 room hotel in the recently restored Ilopango International Airport.
An article on Elsalvador.com reports that "...The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will launch a tender in September to build a 26 room hotel in Ilopango, designed to accommodate expert airmen coming to the country to receive training, but which will also be open to the general public and especially, tourists who are already using Ilopango International Airport."
The rate of annual growth of the sector has been estimated at 3%, and to date there are a total of more than one thousand hotels with 14 thousand rooms.
Most hoteliers in Nicaragua agree that growth has been very positive, but they are aware of the need to accelerate the speed with which the sector is developing in order to compete with other destinations with a higher level of sophistication and development in this service.
Seven new establishments with high quality personalized service will add 291 rooms to the hotel inventory with its opening in tourist areas and in the capital.
There are currently 45 boutique hotels and the arrival of another seven is expected soon, some of which are already under construction and others are awaiting the appropriate permissions to operate.
Suppliers and representatives from local hotels and Central Americans will be gathering together in Managua on October 21st to participate in conferences and business appointments.
As a result of tourism growth and increased demand for these services the first edition of the Feria de Nicaragua will be held in the convention center of the Crowne Plaza hotel. Over 150 suppliers and 300 hotel owners are expected to attend.