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COLORFUL MAYA WOODEN MASKS HANGING IN THE LOCAL MARKET.
viting to yachts and sailboats as they are to those seeking a seaside getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The department of Izabal is the third most popular destination in the country. Vis- itors to Izabal enjoy its lake, Amatique Bay, and Rio Dulce. The area is perfect for docking cruise liners and serves as a popular stop en route to and from other popular Caribbean destinations such
as the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Since 2004, the region has seen traffic from cruise ships triple. From Izabal and the surrounding areas, tourists can access historical and cultural destinations such as the Tikal National Park and the ruins of Quiriguá, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like other areas of the country, Izabal lacks sufficient lodging and other hospi- tality amenities to support tourists.
FUTURE FORECASTS
At the WTTC’s estimated rate of
growth, the travel and tourism industry looks promising over the next decade. By 2025, the tourism and hospitality sector should directly contribute 3.3 percent
of Guatemala’s GDP, with a total direct and indirect contribution of 8.8 percent. The industry will likely support nearly 700,000 jobs over the next decade.
Acknowledging the need for private money and the demands of tourists,
the Guatemalan government welcomes foreign investors through its “Invest in Guatemala” program. Invest in Guate- mala offers consulting services and oper-
ational support as well as counseling on starting operations and navigating the country’s regulations and laws.
Guatemala’s landscapes are as diverse as its people, and the country can offer mass appeal to travelers from all walks of life. And while the nation has great potential and plenty of room for growth, there is much work to be done for the industry to catch up to demand and maintain increasing numbers of trav- elers in the next 10 years. Investors
will have to establish first-class hotels and resorts that help deliver an unfor-
gettable yet comfortable experience for travelers with a multitude of interests. The government will need to continue developing its infrastructure, including air capacity and widely accessible trans- portation to points of interest.
Pedro Duchez, the former director of INGUAT, expects great things: “Due to our unique bio-geographical position, the beauty of our traditions, and the richness of our history, we have the po- tential to become a key player in global travel. We hope to continue our positive trends.”
CATHEDRAL IN ANTIGUA GUATEMALA
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