Guatemala to Host First Central American Travel Market Fair

The opening edition of the Central American Travel Market Fair, scheduled from October 4 to 5, will take place in Guatemala, informed Alejandro Sinibaldi, president of the country’s National Tourism Institute (INGUAT) and chairman of the Central American Tourism Council (CTC) during the first six-month term.

The Central American Travel Market is intended to be a technical and professional event in which tourist authorities from all regional countries will have the chance of getting in contact with wholesalers from some of the top tourist-sending markets, especially in Europe (Spain, Germany, Italy, France, the U.K. and the Netherlands), Asia (Japan, Korea and Taiwan) and South America (Chile, Argentina and Brazil) by means of prearranged appointments.

“This time around, Guatemala will have the honor of being the first host nation for this important tourist gathering that from now on will take place in every country of the region,” Mr. Sinibaldi explained. “This fair seeks to put Central America on the radar screen of the world’s travel market and lure more travelers to the region for them to know the destination as a whole and the products that we have to offer.”

The fair is sponsored and paid for by all national tourism offices and industry companies belonging to FEDECATUR (Federation of Tourism Chambers) from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

As a matter of fact, Panama will organize the fair’s second edition in 2005. For this year’s travel market, Central American nations will try to give the region a wider edge as a highly competitive travel multi-destination in the world market, to strengthen trade ties among participating companies and individuals, and to foster the signing of contracts with potential wholesalers, let alone to launch a new array of products and destinations within the region.