dinero_admin 
El Salvador is surpassing countries like Costa Rica and Panama in indicators related to tourism growth, stated Alejandra Durán, executive director of the Corporación Salvadoreña de Turismo (Corsatur), during a meeting with business leaders in the sector and authorities linked to active and adventure tourism.
The official highlighted that the country closed 2025 with 4.1 million international visitors, a figure higher than the levels recorded before the pandemic, when El Salvador reported between 2.6 and 2.9 million foreign tourists.
She also noted that the goal for 2026 is to reach 4.2 million international visitors and confirmed that, as of april, 1.7 million tourist arrivals had already been recorded in the country.
Durán attributed part of this growth to the boom in active and adventure tourism, a segment that, she indicated, continues to expand in El Salvador due to the demand for outdoor experiences and contact with nature.
“There’s a trend, after the pandemic, that people are no longer looking for enclosed spaces, but rather experiences that connect them with nature”, said the director of Corsatur.
In that context, she indicated that more than 45 companies currently offer active tourism services in the country, strengthening the national tourism offerings.
The meeting also included the participation of the Director General of Civil Protection, Luis Alonso Amaya, who explained that active tourism encompasses activities that were previously considered extreme tourism.
Among them, he mentioned bungee jumping, canopy tours, skydiving, jet skiing, and other recreational activities that require physical exertion and involve certain levels of risk.
Authorities explained that the government is promoting measures to ensure that these activities are carried out under safe conditions for both domestic and international tourists.
As part of these actions, Civil Protection reported that a guide has been developed outlining guidelines related to risk prevention and tourism regulations.
Amaya explained that this work was coordinated with the Ministerio de Turismo de El Salvador, Corporación Salvadoreña de Turismo, Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo and Cuerpo de Bomberos de El Salvador.
The official stated that the guidelines aim to ensure that companies comply with safety regulations and provide suitable conditions for adventure activities.
He also indicated that authorities reviewed international experiences and regulations to adapt models that meet the needs of El Salvador and strengthen the quality of tourism services.
The institutions reported that companies dedicated to adventure tourism will have 45 days to submit their safety plans, which will be monitored at various stages.
Durán affirmed that, in addition to the public safety achieved in the country, it is also important to provide certainty regarding safety within tourism and recreational activities.
Finally, the director of Corsatur invited tourism companies to join the process and comply with the established guidelines, assuring them that they will receive institutional support during implementation.
You can also read:
