Inter-Sectoral Unit for Tourism

Tourism Statistics and Trends

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Tourism Travel to

Central America

during the period 1990-1996

During the period 1990-1996 the Central American countries have been visited by 15.3 million international tourists, with US$ 7,918.8 million benefitting the economies of the region.

During this period, the years with the greater percent growths at the regional level have been: :

• With regard to tourist arrivals:

• With regard to income generated by tourism

During 1996, 2.5 million international tourists traveled to Central America, with an increase of 1.1% over the number of tourists in 1995 and 43.4% more than those in 1990.

The income generated by the tourist activity has presented a similar pattern with US$1,510.1 million, 6.4% more than in 1995, and 118.3% more than at the beginning of the decade.

Tourist arrivals in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama grew in 1996 by 20.4% (El Salvador) to 4.3% (Panama).

It is interesting to notice that the countries with the greater tourist development of the area, like Costa Rica and Guatemala, have suffered from a reduction in the number of tourist arrivals. Also Honduras experienced a similar situation.

During 1996, of the Central American countries, only Costa Rica suffered a reduction in tourist related income (-1.1% from 1995). The remaining countries all increased their tourist related income, with Honduras and Nicaragua leading.(43.8% and 18.0% respectively).

Honduras, despite having suffered from a 2.7% reduction in tourist arrivals in 1996 with respect to 1995, experienced the highest growth rate in tourist generated income. This can be explained by the increase in the length of stay of the international tourists in the country as a result of its promotion efforts.

The origin of the international tourists that visited during 1996 countries in the region is the following:

• Of the total number of international tourists that visited Guatemala, 37.7% came from North America (mainly USA), 35.0% from Central America (mainly El Salvador) and 18.2% from Europe (mainly Germany).
• Of the total number of international tourists that visited Costa Rica, 42.4% came from North America (mainly USA), 30.1% from Central America (mainly Nicaragua) and 16.6% from Europe (mainly Germany).
• Of the total number of international tourists that visited Nicaragua, 12.6% came from North America (mainly USA), 64.1% from Central America (mainly Honduras) and 9.7% from Europe (mainly Spain).

According to the data of these three countries, it appears that Europeans prefer to visit Guatemala, North Americans Costa Rica and Central Americans Nicaragua.

Comparing the 1996 data with that of 1996 we can see that Guatemala experienced a general decline in tourist arrivals from these three geographical areas; Costa Rica experienced a reduction in the number of tourist arrivals originating from North America and Europe, and an increase in the tourist arrivals from the other countries of Central America; while Nicaragua experienced an increase in tourist arrivals from the three regions.

The percentage yearly variations show that the intraregional tourist flows to Guatemala and Costa Rica are growing as follows:

• Guatemala: in 1995, 35.5%; in 1996, 36.0%.
• Costa Rica: in 1995, 27.8%; in 1996, 30.1%.

Source of data: Partial reports from each one of the Central America countries

Source: SITCA Secretariat of Central American Tourist Integration, Managua, April 23, 1997.

Tourism Statistics and Trends

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