Central America Wide News

CATA launches the first mobile app to promote Central America's multi-destination offer

As part of new innovative tourism initiatives, the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) has launched the 'Visit Centroamérica' mobile application to promote the region's multi-destination offer. The application stands out as being the first mobile app of its kind with an innovative design and modern interface. Designed by Moreturismo Consultoría Internacional, the app provides travellers with information on over 60 destinations, 105 points of touristic interest, tour providers and their products, health and safety information, travel advice, navigational assistance and more. The app is available for download on Android and iOS. www.visitcentroamerica.com/en

Sustainable tourism becomes a priority for Ibero-American Cooperation Agenda

Antigua Guatemala recently hosted the 26th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government which concluded with a high-level political declaration on sustainable development. Tourism will be introduced to the development cooperation portfolio of the 22 member states of the Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB). Together with UNWTO, the SEGIB is to promote sustainable tourism initiatives that impact on Central America and the rest of Latin America's development. The accord is pioneering in the fact that it is the first time tourism has been included in an international multilateral action plan giving the Central American tourism sector a strong standing in decisions made over the region's futures. States are urged to prioritise public policies for developing and managing sustainable and responsible tourism to boost the competitiveness of the region internationally. www2.unwto.org/press-release/2018-11-21/unwto-features-tourism-enters-ibero-american-cooperation-agenda

Tourism Statistics

Guatemala sees tourism growth for the second consecutive year

The Guatemalan Institute of Tourism has announced that between January and October 2018, the number of international tourist arrivals to the country increased by almost 15% compared to the same period in 2017, from 1,967,138 tourist arrivals to 1,716,638. By the end of 2018 the total increase in visitors is expected to be around 13% year on year. This is the second consecutive year that the country reports a double-digit spike following the 11% year on year increase in tourist arrivals from 2016 to 2017. www.inguat.gob.gt/inicio.php

Events News

Details for the Central America Travel Market (CATM) revealed

Details of the eagerly anticipated Central America Travel Market (CATM) have been revealed. The travel trade show will take place from 3 to 5 June 2019 in Guatemala's capital, Guatemala City, where it was held nine years ago. The 12th edition of CATM will seek to promote the multi-destination offering of Central America internationally, it will take place at Westin Camino Real Hotel. www.visitcentroamerica.com/en

Panama set to host 16th edition of the Panama Jazz Festival

The annual Panama Jazz Festival is one of Central America's largest music events that will be held from 14 to 19 January in Panama City. Founded by Grammy award winning pianist Danilo Pérez, the festival has become a cultural tourist attraction drawing in audiences from across the globe. 2019's line-up includes Alex Blake, Jane Bunnett and her group Maqueque, Andre Hayward, Gunhild Carling and more. www.panamajazzfestival.com 

Preparations begin for the 8th edition of the International Film Festival of Panama

The period for submissions for the 2019 edition of the International Film Festival of Panama (IFF Panama) will close on the penultimate day of 2018 as preparations get underway for the 8th edition of the festival. The IFF Panama has grown rapidly since it began with ever more tourists travelling in from overseas to attend. Pituka Ortega, Panamanian filmmaker and IFF executive director recognises the fact that the IFF is “driven as a tourist destination.” The IFF Panama will take place from 4 to 10 April 2019. www.iffpanama.org/en

Airline News

New flight route from Guatemala City to Huehuetenango

Mundo Maya Viajes has launched a new route between Guatemala City and the aerodrome of Huehuetenango in the highlands of western Guatemala. The route will be operated three times a week and flight time is 30 minutes. The Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) and the Tourist Management Committee (CAT) hope that the new service will fortify internal connectivity and ease business and tourist trips across the country. A return flight is priced from £100. www.inguat.gob.gt/posts/anuncian-vuelos-itinerados-de-la-ciudad-capital-hacia-huehuetenango-649.php

Hotel News

The Wyndham Grand Venezia del Caribe resort opens door December 2018

Hotel industry leader Wyndham Hotel Group is set to open a new luxury resort on the island of Ambergris Caye in Belize. The resort will be under the name Wyndham Grand Venezia del Caribe and opens 31 December 2018. The resort will consist of five towers, 11 pools connected with bridges, canals and waterways inspired by Venetian architecture. A range of accommodation is available such as beachfront penthouses, beachfront suites, poolview villas and poolview studios. The resort will also offer a number of excursions such as paddle boarding, fishing, sailing, diving, kayaking, caving and wildlife spotting. Prices are available upon request. www.wyndhamgrandbelize.com/

Other News

Panama's Congo culture inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

The ritual and festive expressions of the Congo culture of Panama have been inscribed onto the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity following the 13th session of Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. These expressions descended from the black rebels enslaved during the colonial period. Nowadays those who participate in Congo rituals and festivals sing about their freedom and their peaceful daily lives. Congo festivals normally take place between January and early March with the largest being the Festival of Devils and Congos and the Festival of Pollera Congo. These festivals draw large numbers of visitors to Panama and help both locals and foreigners learn about an essential part of Panamanian culture passed down from generation to generation. www.atp.gob.pa

Honduras launches new tourism campaign to attract international visitors

The Honduran Institute of Tourism launched a new campaign designed to demonstrate the diversity of the country and all that it has to offer to incoming tourists. The campaign's main focal point is a promotional video by Saatchi & Saatchi, which follows a young man named Henry who while out diving is told to go and see the caves of Honduras. From there as Henry meets hospitable locals, he finds himself on an uninterrupted journey with the next step continually being suggested by those he meets along the way. Finally he boards the plane where the air hostess suggests yet another attraction he has not yet seen driving the key theme of diverse offerings. Emilio Silvestri, Minister of Tourism for Honduras said “the campaign is designed to showcase all the beauty and splendour of Honduras […] this video demonstrates all the unknown marvels awaiting travellers. We are confident that the campaign will continue strengthening the Honduran tourism sector.”  www.honduras.travel/en / www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPH9Al69680

New book The Ultimate Belize Bucket List goes on sale

A new book written by Larry Waight titled The Ultimate Belize Bucket List has recently been published. The book offers an insider glimpse into the nation's most coveted and awe-inspiring experiences to reveal hidden gems that make Belize particularly special. The author Larry Waight is a well-known figure in the Belize tourism sector having started his career aged 16 as a travel guide. Larry said that he wrote the book out of frustration at the lack of in-depth and timely information about the country. He claims it is more than a guidebook, but in fact a resource to inspire and inform others about the country's culture and 3,000 year history. www.belizeadventure.ca/guide-book-ultimate-belize-bucket-list/

El Salvador to put emphasis on surf tourism following the success of ALAS 2018 tour

El Tunco beach, a renowned hot spot for surfers, recently played host to the final stop in the Latin American Professional Surfing Association's (ALAS) 2018 tour. El Salvador welcomed over 150 of the best Latin American surfers to its shores with the hope of developing and promoting surfing across the continent. The competition gave professionals the chance to compete in the Pan American games in Lima, Peru next summer which in turn could mean they qualify for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where surfing will debut in an Olympic Games. The growing stature of surfing has not gone unnoticed with El Salvador looking to promote its surf offering throughout 2019. Jaime Delgado, El Salvadorian representative of ALAS said “these events not only strengthen active tourism, but also stimulate the economy and position the country as a leading destination for not only surfing, but also wider tourism.” www.enelsalvador.sv/en

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