A. M. El Salvador experienced notable tourism growth, welcoming 91,000 international visitors during the recent holidays. This impressive influx represents a 6% increase compared to the previous year, exceeding the Ministry of Tourism’s initial projections. Morena Valdez, head of the Ministerio de Turismo (MITUR), highlighted the success during the presentation of the Plan Vacación report.
The growth in air tourism was particularly notable, with 38,000 visitors arriving through El Salvador’s International Airport. This represents a significant 10% increase compared to 2024. These results underscore the airport’s strategic importance as a main gateway for international tourism.
Meanwhile, land borders were also a crucial entry point, registering 53,000 visitors. This figure reflects a 4% increase compared to the previous year. The official highlighted the excellent condition and organization of the borders, which contributed to a smooth experience for travelers.
In addition to international tourism, the influx of visitors to the country’s public tourist sites was massive, reaching 2.8 million people. This figure exceeds the target of 2.6 million and represents a 16% growth compared to 2024. The most popular destinations included SívarLand, the historic center, and public beaches.
“How was the distribution across all these sites? 1.4 million visitors to SívarLand, 913,000 to the historic center, 248,000 to public tourist sites, 124,000 to public cultural sites, 122,000 to our public beaches, 82,000 to those of the Ministry of Public Works, and 9,000 to protected natural areas”, he said.
The success of the Plan Vacación is the result of a coordinated effort by the Government to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. Joint actions allowed salvadorans and foreigners to enjoy the country’s tourist destinations. These figures demonstrate the positive impact of the government’s security and tourism promotion policies.
