A. M. 
El Salvador reaffirms its commitment to strengthening women’s leadership and entrepreneurship as a strategic pillar for the country’s economic development. This tuesday, the Second Regional Conference on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the Ministerio de Turismo (MITUR), continued. This forum brings together regional representatives to address the crucial role of women in the sector’s evolution.
During the opening ceremony, Gustavo Santos, Regional Director for the Americas of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), emphasized the growing prominence of women in the industry: “We will see at this convention that women will be leading the tourism sector, which will be one of the world’s largest job creators”, he said.
The president of the Instituto Salvadoreño de Turismo (ISTU) expressed her gratitude for the participation of delegations from various countries and emphasized that this forum aims to promote, highlight, and strengthen female leadership in a sector with a high capacity for transformation, not only in social but also in economic terms.
During the high-level panel “Women who drive the Economy: Female Leadership in Tourism”, the Minister of Economy, María Luisa Hayem, emphasized the strategic role of tourism as an economic engine: “Tourism not only generates employment and opportunities, but it is also a powerful tool for promoting equality, opening doors, and building more resilient communities”, she said.
The forum also highlights that women’s participation drives innovation, sustainability, and diversification of the tourism offerings, consolidating a more competitive sector. In El Salvador, women artisans, guides, entrepreneurs, businesswomen, and tour operators have been fundamental in boosting the local economy and strengthening the country’s position as an emerging destination.
With these actions, El Salvador is moving toward an inclusive development model, where gender equality is integrated as an essential component for maximizing the economic potential of tourism in the region.
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