A. M. 
The Ministerio de Turismo (MITUR), led by Morena Valdez, presented the sector’s main achievements for 2025 to the Legislative Assembly and revealed ambitious goals within the framework of the 2026 budget. In terms of the budget, MITUR will have an allocation of US$66.9 million for 2026, a 34.27% increase compared to 2025.
Of this total, US$19.4 million is earmarked for key projects focused on the Surf City anchor strategy: “In phase 1, we are seeing more and more hotels, restaurants, and leisure spaces every day; demand is assured, and the surrounding communities benefit”, Valdez emphasized.
During her remarks, the minister emphasized the strategic challenge of expanding air connectivity. “We are currently facing a major challenge regarding direct flights to El Salvador. Corsatur has been working closely with airlines, in conjunction with CEPA, lobbying to attract more carriers. We expect Iberojet to begin flying from Barcelona and Madrid next year; the goal is to attract more airlines from other parts of the world”, she said.
She also announced that the ministry is leading the administration of a US$106 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), earmarked for strengthening infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and national tourism competitiveness.
In numbers, salvadoran tourism is breaking records: “Through october, we have received 8.2 million visitors to public sites. Sun and sand remain the most popular attractions; the La Libertad Port Tourist Complex is number one, followed by BINAES, Balboa Natural Park, Puerta del Diablo, and Sunset Park”. The country received 3.3 million visitors in 2025, a goal that will rise to 4 million by the end of the year. The salvadoran diaspora in the U.S., Guatemala, and Honduras are the leading sources of international tourists.
The official also clarified the visitor profile: by 2025, 83% are tourists (staying overnight in the country) and 17% are day-trippers. 44% have entered by air and 56% by land. President Bukele’s government reaffirms its commitment to transforming the tourism sector and consolidating El Salvador as a regional tourism leader, basing its strategy on development, modernization, and the well-being of its people. With this budget and new projects, the country aims to maintain its growth rate and leverage international tourism to strengthen employment, investment, and local development.
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