By: Katherine Gonzalez, Carlos Amaya.

History of Tourism in El Salvador

The development of tourism in El Salvador had its beginnings in the 19th century, with the construction of railway lines to install the railway throughout the country, allowing the massive mobilization of the Salvadoran population to different places. 

In the third decade of the 20th century, during the administration of Dr. Alfonso Quiñónez Molina, the government of El Salvador, aware of the importance of promoting tourism in our country, by publicizing its advances, historical places, as well as showing our degree of culture, agreed to the creation of the First Board for the Promotion of Tourism and Agricultural and Industrial Propaganda, on June 12, 1924, this Board had Dr. José Leiva as its first President. 

The development of tourism over the years has been very important at the national level.

Not only economically, but also socially and culturally.

Next, we will see the TOURIST HISTORY OF EL SALVADOR.

Important points about it and above all, what has been the progress over time of the tourist culture in our country.

In 1930:

Seeing the need to promote tourism in the country, the Legislative Assembly created through Decree number 135 of August 14, 1930, the National Tourism Board, which would serve as a link between the Government and the Departmental Boards of Roads.

In 1939: 

The Board of Ornaments for Roads, Spas and Public Gardens was created in each of the 14 departments of the Republic. 

In 1945:

The Progress and Tourism Boards were founded, which would be in charge of everything related to material progress for the benefit of tourism. 

In 1947:

Tourism being an excellent means of development, the efforts of the government and private companies were combined to create the General Board of Tourism for public utility, considering that it was the duty of the State to promote the material and cultural development of the country. 

In 1948:

The General Board of Tourism was created and the construction of a Network of Tourist Centers began throughout the country, in order to provide healthy recreation to salvadoran families.

Review of tourism during the armed conflict (1980-1991)

As of 1989, a slight recovery is observed in the tourism sector, at least the higher levels of tourism income are experienced since the period in which the armed conflict began; In this way, he was motivated to think about tourism and its perspectives that were reflected in a document that had as its content "The Strategic Plan for Tourism Communication". The component that benefited the sector was ethnic tourism, which included Salvadorans residing abroad, who frequently visited the country. The Peace Agreements and Tourism (1992). 

The peace agreements signed on January 16, 1992, between the Government and the FMLN, allowed numerous international observers to enter the country, this was of great magnitude and expectation for the future possibilities so that the doors of hope were opened for the tourism sector.

By the end of the aforementioned year, and the beginning of 1993, it was essential to think about tourism development strategies for El Salvador. 

In 1996, new tourism companies emerged, however, an image of the country as a tourist destination had not been achieved. In 1997, the opening of tourism was considered as an alternative to guide the economic and social policy, for this purpose, it granted the Foundation for the Economic and Social Development of El Salvador (FUSADES), the creation of a plan to reactivate national tourism. 

In this context, the Government, at the initiative of the private company, drafted a bill for the creation of the Tourism Development Corporation for El Salvador, which was presented and submitted for study by the Legislative Assembly of that period and by Legislative Decree number 779 the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (CORSATUR), as the highest tourism authority in El Salvador.

Importance of Tourism in El Salvador.

Tourism is a sector whose importance in the economy has increased steadily over the last decade, as has competition and the need to respond to the changes that affect it. The development of this sector produces necessary income for the different entities that are part of this activity.

Let's see some of the most important places in tourism in El Salvador.

Tourism in the 21st century

THE EMERGENCE OF TOURIST ACTIVITY IN EL SALVADOR

Traveling to El Salvador for leisure purposes is not a new phenomenon.

From the end of the s. XIX are documented testimonies of the trips of some of foreigners who visited the country. Similarly, since the beginning of the s. XXI know efforts were made to boost the tourism sector. 

Throughout that century they were oriented towards the creation and/or improvement of transport and tourist infrastructures and the external promotion of the country. Starting in the 1960s, this activity began to be organized and systematized. Actions were launched for the planning of the sector, an institutional framework was created... which had a response with a positive dynamism until late '70s. The arrival of peace in the early 1990s meant the beginning of the final takeoff of tourism in El Salvador

Tourism in 2022

The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) reported that El Salvador received 1.1 million foreign visitors from January 1 to June 30, which represents a recovery of 93%, compared to the same period in 2019, the year prior to the pandemic. of COVID-19, when 1.2 million arrived.

According to projected data from MITUR, the 1.1 million international tourists who arrived in the country during the first half of this year are equivalent to 57% of the estimated projection for 2022, which is 1.9 million.

These figures and percentages agree that El Salvador has been the most visited country in Latin America during the first quarter of this year, according to the specialized firm in the tourism industry, Forward Keys.

The institution details that 85% of the visitors came from the United States, Guatemala, Honduras and the remaining 15% corresponds to citizens of other nations, among which Nicaragua, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and Belize stand out.

425,000 tourists arrived from the United States, 168,000 from Guatemala and 138,000 from Honduras, which is equivalent to 51%, 20% and 14%, respectively, according to the breakdown made by MITUR.

To end this blog, It is worth mentioning that another important aspect is the image of El Salvador abroad, which would help promote public and private reinvestment, in its conservation and improvement, in order to satisfy the visitor and make him want to return and recommend the tourist destination.

The most important attractions that the country has, allow offering a variety of destinations, since the distances in the country allow accessibility to various parts in short times, which are an extraordinary alternative to promote the development of tourism and therefore, promote the development of the country.

BY

KATHERINE GONZALEZ

CARLOS AMAYA

UNIVO 2022