Guatemala and El Salvador protagonists of the ANATO Tourist Showcase
Both Central American destinations will exhibit their tourist attractions at the fair that will be held between February 27 and March 1 in Bogotá, Colombia
The ANATO Tourist Showcase next year will celebrate version 38 on February 27, 28 and March 1. Nationally and internationally, this event has positioned itself as one of the most important in its field, becoming a benchmark in the Latin American tourism market.
Organized by the Colombian Association of Travel Agencies and TOURISM (ANATO), it is also the scenario where attendees have the possibility to know the tourist offer of more than 35 countries and all regions of Colombia.
"For this version of the ANATO Tourist Showcase, we have chosen Guatemala and El Salvador as international destinations to be promoted in 2019, which constitute potential contributors to the industry. We want them to expose all their attractions and attendees know how to market them, "said Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of ANATO.
The Central American subcontinent is becoming increasingly relevant in global tourism. According to data from Migración Colombia, in 2017 a record number of Colombians leaving for destinations in Central America and the Caribbean was reached with 1,148,844 million people, which represented an increase of 7.8% compared to 2016. Of this total , 56,369 Colombians went to El Salvador and Guatemala during 2017.
For the year, specifically in the case of these two countries, there have been significant increases in the arrival of foreign visitors from these countries, because between January and September 2018, the same source has recorded the entry of 21,452 Salvadorans and 17,821 Guatemalans, resulting in a growth of 4.9% and 10.1% respectively.
According to the Civil Aeronautics, in the number of passengers transported on the routes between Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador, there has also been an increasing trend, since 2017 was the year with the highest number of international passengers, with a total of 167,215 between the two countries, which meant a positive variation of 5.2% and an occupancy rate of 4.82%.
In terms of passenger movement, for the period January-September 2018, according to the same source, a total of 132,274 was recorded, that is, 7% more than those registered in the same period of the previous year.
It is highlighted that this increase has been presented for the two countries, taking into account that El Salvador registered 75,043 passengers, 7.6% more than last year, and Guatemala reached 57,231 passengers, which meant 5.8% more than those presented in January to September 2018.