The program, developed between july 2021 and march 2022, included training, technical assistance and certifications on tourism quality, international marketing for tourism destinations and strengthening the salvadoran gastronomic identity.

USAID developed this initiative through the USAID Economic Competitiveness Project with the objective of strengthening small and medium enterprises in the tourism sector and thus contribute to the growth and better performance of the main tourist destinations, especially in the coastal area where the central government is developing the Surf City project to position the country as a world-class surfing destination.

Representatives of the 20 participating companies increased their knowledge on topics such as gastronomic identity, service quality, biosafety, marketing, cooking, and administrative processes, among others. The companies received training in management, administration and finance, costing, marketing, social network management, personnel selection and management, and effective promotion of their products and services.

Of this group, 16 companies have met the requirements to receive the "Q for Quality" certification granted by the Organismo Salvadoreño de Normalización (OSN). In addition, all participating companies received recognition in salvadoran gastronomic identity from peruvian experts from Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola. The certification and recognition will help the companies reach new markets and increase their economic activity, especially in the post-COVID-19 context.

This initiative is expected to generate an increase in sales of US$1.7 million in the first 12 months of implementation.

The results celebration was presided over by USAID El Salvador's Economic Competitiveness Team Leader, Rodrigo Seda; OSN's Executive Director, Yanira Colindres; and the Director of Desarrollo Turístico Territorial de la Corporación Salvadoreña de Turismo (CORSATUR), Mercedes Silva.