Over the next four years, the country seeks to focus on attracting tourists between the age of 40-70 who are interested in environmentally "sustainable" destinations.
The project, which aims to position Guatemala internationally as a destination for this profile of tourists, is developed by Regenera, a non-governmental organization of Chile, and the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT).
In order for Panama's tourism companies to obtain the sustainability seal, they must undergo external audits on topics such as responsible management, quality control, safety, and others.
With the changes to Decree-Law 82 of December 23, 2008, companies and individual auditors can perform external audits and that large and micro tourism companies are interested in the implementation of the Sustainable Tourism Standard, informed the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP).
On November 13th and 14th Costa Rican entrepreneurs of hotel brands, investment funds and real estate developers will be meeting in Costa Rica to discuss sustainable investments in the industry.
The event is being organized by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and will take place at the Hotel Real Intercontinental.
The ambitious joint plan of the governments of Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador is to turn the Gulf of Fonseca into an area of free trade and sustainable tourism.
The aim is to create a long-term master plan in conjunction with the private sector, to turn the area into an economic development hub and the main difference from past initiatives is the involvement of the business sector.
Last year 62,500 people arrived in the country aboard cruise ships, registering a 35% growth compared with the previous year.
Figures from the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute's Statistics Bulletin for 2016 reveal an increase in the number of tourists who arrived in the country aboard cruise ships, as well as other data relevant to the tourism sector.
Companies in the sector and the Guatemalan Tourism Institute are working on a proposal for rules for adventure tourism businesses in the country.
From a statement issued by the INGUAT:
Guatemala November 10, 2016.Given the need to regulate and control all activities related to the adventure tourism segment, private public entities have initiated a regulatory process, forming the Technical Committee on Adventure.
Tender documents are being prepared for the construction of the new center in the province of Chiriqui, which will have an area of 4,000 square meters and capacity for 2,000 people.
From a statement issued by the Tourism Authority of Panama:
The first green convention center in Central America will be built in Boquete, Chiriqui province, in an area of 4000 m2 and will have capacity for 2,000 people.
The Government is looking for resources to open an embassy in China during the third quarter of 2016 and to promote issues such as clean energy and sustainable tourism.
The Foreign Ministry of Costa Rica announced that is seeking funds to open an embassy and send diplomatic personnel to Jakarta, Indonesia. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Gonzalez, confirmed to Crhoy.com that the branch could be set up in the third quarter of this year.
In August representatives of the tourism sector in the Caribbean will gather together in Managua to discuss issues related to the promotion of sustainable tourism.
Elnuevodiario.com.ni reports that "...At that meeting, bringing together representatives of the tourism sector in the Caribbean countries, themes and projects related to sustainable tourism development in the Caribbean Sea will be discussed, said the coordinator of the Communication and Citizenship Council, Rosario Murillo. "
Sustained growth has been projected in "wellness" tourism in the region, which still needs to make efforts to differentiate promotion of this type of tourism from medical tourism.
In Guatemala, the category of wellness tourism is included under medical tourism, but authorities intend to identify separate specific promotion mechanisms for each of the segments.
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.
Up until May incentives have been authorized for 22 tourism investment projects, including the construction of the airport in Costa Esmeralda, for $12 million.
Tourism growth and incentives granted to investment projects in the tourism sector are boosting investment in the country, which, according to estimates by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism, will amount to $400 million in the year.
Among the requests made to new government sector by entrepreneurs is for long-term policies and for more attention to be paid to the internal market .
Attracting a larger number of airlines, diversifying supply routes and prices and promoting the range of regional products that Costa Rica offers are also pending tasks for the new minister, Wilhelm Von Breyman according to entrepreneurs.
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