International Airport in El Salvador. El Salvador is leading tourism growth across the Americas, according to the latest report from the United Nations Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which shows the country’s international arrivals and revenue rising sharply.
Data released in January by the UNWTO indicate that El Salvador experienced a 92% increase in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the world.
Globally, El Salvador ranks third in tourism growth, behind Bhutan, which saw a 198% jump, and Qatar, where international arrivals rose 138% compared with pre-pandemic levels.
The figures place El Salvador as the leading destination in the Americas in relative visitor growth, outperforming regional peers such as Curaçao, Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, and Guatemala, all of which reported lower percentage increases.
Aside from security, the Salvadoran tourism sector has seen the greatest improvement during the Bukele administration.
Tourism officials say the country’s performance reflects sustained efforts to improve security conditions, expand tourism infrastructure, and promote international visibility through targeted marketing and new air connectivity initiatives.
The report also highlights a strong surge in tourism revenue, with El Salvador ranking third globally in growth of international tourism receipts, recording a 211% increase compared with 2019 levels.
Only Tajikistan, with an 858% increase, and Namibia, with a 261% increase, exceeded El Salvador’s revenue growth, underscoring the country’s ability to convert visitor arrivals into higher spending.
Analysts say the rise in tourism income likely means visitors are staying longer and spending more on hotels, food, and activities, bringing in more foreign money to the economy.
Those higher earnings highlight tourism’s growing importance, helping create jobs, attract investment, and boost businesses linked to hospitality, transportation, and cultural experiences.
Costa Rica and Guatemala also experienced notable revenue growth, registering increases of 102% and 101%, respectively. However, both remained below El Salvador’s overall performance.
Across the region, the United Nations World Tourism Organization said the Americas received about 218 million international tourists in 2025, up 4% compared with 2024.
The numbers point to a wider global travel rebound after the pandemic, with many destinations slowly moving past pre-COVID levels in both visitor numbers and spending.
In that environment, El Salvador stands out for its rapid growth, driven by changing traveler perceptions and relatively competitive prices.
