Central America Travel Market Focuses on Tourism Recovery

Central America Travel Market Focuses on Tourism Recovery

The resurgence of Central American tourism from the combined impact of the global economic downturn, natural disasters and security concerns were at the forefront as the Central America Travel Market opened officially Monday evening in Antigua, Guatemala. The event features more than 200 exhibitors including travel providers, government authorities, destinations, tour operators and stakeholders representing Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

Tourism to the region is expected to rebound in 2010 with an 8 percent increase over 2009 totals, following a 7 percent decline in 2007, said Manuel Heredia Jr., president pro tempore of the Central America Tourism Council. “The results of 2009 were impacted by the global economic downturn. We see the high capacity for recovery that the sector has.”

In addition to the impact of the global economic downturn and natural disasters including fall floods in Guatemala, tourism officials here are seeking to mitigate the impact of crime and security concerns across the region. “We acknowledge some incidents have occurred across the region, but this is a world issue,” said Roberto Robles, director of the Guatemala’s tourism institute. Despite these issues, Robles said, Guatemala’s recent tourism totals are symbolic of the strength of the entire Central America region, as travel to the country has increased by 8.6 percent annually since 2005, with more than 1.7 million visitors in 2009.