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offers a rich cultural history, beautiful beaches, fish-filled waters, and ecolog- ical wonders that can appeal to those traveling for weddings, tropical escapes, adventure, culture, ecotourism, and even business.
The government has been gearing up for the expansion of the tourism indus- try. INGUAT, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute, has been working with private investors and government agencies to spur growth. In general, the country lacks accommodations and amenities
for tourists outside the major populated areas. To compete for tourist dollars with other countries in the region, Gua- temala must build hotels, restaurants, and retail appropriate for various types of travelers—from luxury resorts at the beach to full-service ecohotels in the remotest jungles.
THE INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE
Guatemala’s tourists predominantly come from Central American nations (52 percent) and North America (32 percent). About 2.25 million tourists generated more than US $1.6 billion in foreign income for the country in 2015. European tourists typically come from Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and France. While other industries are growing at about 3.6 percent annually, the tourism industry is expanding at slightly more than 5 percent a year, which is affecting the country’s ability to accommodate tourists. Because de- mand is outstripping supply, investment in everything from resorts to travel infrastructure is a focus for private investors and public organizations like INGUAT.
AMPING UP ACCOMMODATIONS
While experts stress the need for more hotels and hospitality-related busi- nesses in areas that attract tourists, many well-known hospitality groups, including Radisson, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts, maintain a presence in Guate- mala. These remain clustered around cities, however, and few accommoda- tions provide for off-the-beaten-path travelers.
Guatemala offers two international airports, one in Guatemala City and another in the department of Petén, a little over 300 miles away. La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City can receive up to 4 million passengers annually and currently services direct
The average stay in Guatemala is 7.5 days, which provides ample time to explore cultural and historical sites as well as the country’s beaches and scenic rural regions.
flights to Mexico, Peru, Spain, and six cities in the United States. Mundo Maya International Airport in Petén primar- ily serves travelers who visit Tikal for its thriving Maya history and living traditional culture. INGUAT and other organizations are working to increase air traffic and flight carriers to the nation’s airports.
ENTICING EXCURSIONS
Based on current travel trends and anal- ysis from INGUAT, there are seven ar- eas that have the greatest potential for investment opportunities. These include the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, as well as current urban hubs like Guate- mala City and various points of interest for those looking to explore Maya civi- lization and culture. In the Central and Eastern regions of the country, there are dense tropical forests, mountains, and volcanoes that appeal to ecotourists and adventure sports aficionados.
Major Maya destinations include Ati- tlán, El Mirador, and Tikal, a location
so culturally significant that it has been designated as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations, Education, Scien- tific, and Cultural Organization (UNE- SCO). Located within the Petén Depart- ment, these attractions can currently meet the demands of only 58 percent of the area’s tourists. Less than 10 percent of Petén’s lodging meets five-star accom- modation standards, a fact that leaves plenty of room for ramping up busi- nesses that support tourism and travel, including restaurants, resorts, and retail centers, as well as the development of chic hotels with first-class amenities.
The Verapaces region, located in the center of Guatemala, is becoming a fa- vored destination among ecotourists and adventurers. This highlands region is full of lush forested areas, breathtaking waterfalls, and spectacular biodiversity. Perfect for hiking, river rafting, and spelunking, Verapaces is ripe for careful, environmentally sensitive development of ecotourism facilities.
URBAN ATTRACTION
Guatemala City is the gateway to the country, and while this urban epicenter sees over 1.8 million tourists annually, the city lacks enough hotels to meet existing demand, much less the nation’s growing tourism industry. The city is more than just a gateway; it is a desti- nation for executives—especially since Guatemala City hosts many multina-
SPECIAL REPORT
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VIEW OF COLORFUL COLONIAL BUILDINGS IN AN- TIGUA, THE FORMER CAPITAL OF GUATEMALA. THE CAPITAL WAS MOVED TO GUATEMALA CITY IN 1776.