According to the most updated data, the mentioned institution has elaborated an index of tourism dependence in relation to the total production, that is, with respect to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of each of the countries.

As expected, Belize shows a higher economic dependence on tourism, with an index of 42%, followed by Panama 20%; Costa Rica 18%; Nicaragua %15; Honduras and El Salvador, each with 13%; closing the group Guatemala with the lowest dependence: 9%.

The report details that El Salvador is trying to develop an important tourism industry by taking advantage of specific locations on the Pacific coast: for example, Esteros de Jiquilisco, Conchalío beach, places near Puerto La Libertad, Gulf of Fonseca.

This feature of the economies is very important since it refers to a sector that has a very important or strategic multiplier effect, in the generation of labor and productive opportunities for broad sectors of the population.

Indeed, tourism, together with construction, agriculture, industry, rural infrastructure and urban infrastructure, has the great potential to generate employment, including population groups that do not necessarily have a high level of qualification.

It should be noted that employment, together with government transfers, social security and social protection institutions, are transmission belts between economic growth and the generation of economic and social development for a country.

Translated by: A.M