- The Central American region designates over $328 million in making the tourism industry more dynamic.
- The hotel and tourism development boom activate the Central American region thanks to the impulse of MICE tourism and new airline connections
The Central American region reinforces its economic sector that grows with firm steps thanks to the different investments and infrastructure projects undertaken in the framework of tourism for meetings and leisure as well as in the creation of more hotel offers. Also, airlines broaden infrastructure and strengthen investment in the region.
Making the tourism infrastructure in the region more dynamic
Costa Rica bets on development and lays the first stone of the National Center of Conferences and Conventions. The president of the Republic, Luis Guillermo Solís, with the Minister of Tourism, Mauricio Ventura, assures that with this creation the country will diversify its offer and may look into new tourism products. The investment is $35 million dollars and will include a sustainable design.
Golfito Marina Village & Resort, with an investment around $50 million, is located on the Southern coast of Costa Rica and expects to attract yacht owners from around the world. The President of the Republic Luis Guillermo Solís, was present at the dedication.
Panama’s Tourism Authority (ATP) created a new design for the Amador Convention Center that will cost $193 million and will have the capacity to host 25 thousand people. The new design proposes a main room for fairs and expos as well as widening the areas.
Guatemala will build the new Convention Center and District in the city, with which it foresees to generate over 3,000 formal jobs during the development of the project according to data from the Ministry of Economy (Mineco). The center will broaden the service offer, and it will have a hotel, mall, art gallery, museum and handicraft market
In Belize, Norwegian Cruise Line welcomed the new ecological destination for cruises at Harvest Caye, two islands located one mile away from the South coast of the country with an investment of $50 million. The enclave offers travelers a very special tourism offer, characterized by the biodiversity of the region. According to Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation of Belize, this investment generates 500 direct jobs and more than 1.500 indirect positions.
Hotel development
In El Salvador four new hotels join an investment of close to $5,8 million in new infrastructure located in the Salvadoran Pacific area, on the coveted zone of the El Zonte beach in the department of La Libertad. The Puro Surf Hotel & Performance Academy will have restaurants, a dozen rooms and a certified high impact surf academy, which will be the first in the country and the second in the world.
In Guatemala two new hotels are opening, one in the department of Quetzaltenango and another from the Marriott chain in the popular “Zona Viva” of the capital city’s zone 10, in which $24 million have been invested. The Hyatt chain also has a brand new hotel for business travelers, the Hyatt Place, with an investment of $30 million.
The Nekupe Resort represents the first mountain luxury resort in Nandaime, Nicaragua, with a special emphasis on creating a harmonious connection with nature in a first class environment.
Connections between Europe and Central America are strengthened
The Air Europa airline opened the new route Madrid-San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which was reserved 80% since the first flights. It will have a weekly flight. Wamos Air will start to operate the Madrid-Guatemala route in June with a weekly flight between the two cities. Air France and KLM will increase frequencies towards San José, Costa Rica, from Paris and Amsterdam.
