El
Salvador was named as the destination for the 7th Routes Americas
event, which will take place in early 2014.
The
Honourable Minister of Tourism Mr. José Napoleón Duarte Durán
signed the agreement during a signing ceremony which took place
yesterday at FITUR in Madrid. Also present at
the signing were, El Salvador’s tourism business representatives,
employees from CORSATUR, Katie Bland, Future Hosts Director for
Routes and David Appleby, Director Latin America & the Caribbean
for Routes.
Speaking
from Madrid Minister Duarte Durán said: “We are delighted to be
announced as the Host of Routes Americas in 2014. We are beginning
our efforts, from both the private and public sectors, to prepare for
this important
event. El Salvador will be pleased to welcome the
region’s aviation industry leaders and show what the country can
offer as a tourist destination as well as its great potential for
business.”
El
Salvador is the smallest and the most densely populated country in
Central America and transfer time from place to place does not exceed
30 minutes. The tropical climate makes this a green destination with
warm and pleasant weather. It is a versatile country
which combines ancient
culture with modern life and mixes business with nature. Since El
Salvador adopted the US Dollar as its legal currency in 2001 it has
become an international tourist destination for more than 1.6 million
travellers due to the economic stability provided by this change in
currency. Tourism has increased steadily at an average of 5% year on
year and as part of the Government Quinquennial Plan, the
contribution of tourism to the nation’s GDP is expected to grow to
10%.
El
Salvador Airport’s location, at only 27m above sea level makes it
one of the safest airports in the region with one of the longest
runways in Central America. A renovation project costing $32 million
has been approved and works will be ongoing until January 2014, just
prior to Routes Americas which will take place in February. This
project will significantly improve passenger experience and assist
airlines to improve their operational performance.
Every
year since 2009 the airport has attracted a new international
airline including
Iberia, Spirit, Air
Transat and,
more recently, Aeromexico. The airport is also a Hub for one of the
fastest growing airlines in Latin America; Avianca-Taca connecting
passengers to South, Central and North America with more than 10
non-stop flights.
