A. M. 
COURTESY
Minister of Culture, Raúl Castillo, presented the final balance of the tourism and cultural plan 2024, revealing that 4,194,000 tourists visited spaces managed by the Ministry of Culture during the year. In december 441,000 people enjoyed these spaces, highlighting the Biblioteca Nacional de El Salvador (BINAES) as the most visited destination with 334,000 visitors. The National Palace and the National Theater also captured the attention of thousands of people, receiving 43,000 and 10,000 visitors, respectively.
Regarding domestic tourism, the President of the Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo (ISTU), Eny Aguiñada, informed that between december 21, 2024 and january 1, 2025, 1.7 million visitors were registered in national parks and public beaches. Public beaches were one of the main attractions, receiving 392,000 tourists, while other public tourist sites registered 388,000 visitors.
The destinations preferred by local and international tourists included the Puerto de La Libertad tourist complex, BINAES, the Sunset Park amusement park, the Cerro Verde Natural Park, and the Balboa Natural Park. These spaces not only offered entertainment and culture, but also promoted the strengthening of sustainable tourism in El Salvador.
The government highlighted the positive impact of these results on the local economy, especially for communities that depend on tourism. “The reactivation of these spaces and the promotion of our cultural and historical heritage have positioned El Salvador as a key destination in the region”, said Castillo.
The authorities noted that they will continue working to improve the visitor experience in 2025, with new projects and events that will further boost tourism.
