Norwegian Sun cruise. Image by This Saturday, April 29, the Norwegian Sun cruise ship arrived at the Port of Acajutla in the department of Sonsonate, bringing 2,500 tourists on board. This marks the twelfth cruise ship to arrive in the country during the 2022-2023 season.
The cruise ship measures 258 meters in length and 38 meters in width; the Norwegian Sun is one of the largest vessels to have docked at the Acajutla port terminal.
Alejandra Duran, the Executive Director of the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (Corsatur), welcomed the tourists and mentioned that around 1,000 of them would visit various tourist attractions in El Salvador.
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An estimated thousand tourists will visit destinations such as Joya de Ceren, San Andres, Cerro Verde, Nahuizalco, Izalco, San Julian, and the historic center. Alejandra Durán de Cristales.
The executive directors also highlighted that during this season, around 17,000 tourists have visited the country, contributing approximately $1.4 million in foreign currency income to the country.
“Throughout the season, we have received twelve cruises, with an estimated 17,000 tourists, generating around $1.4 million in foreign currency,” explained Duran, executive director of Corsatur.
Each of the cruise passengers, in the short period of 4 to 8 hours that they visit the country leaves an estimated $150 in the territories. Alejandra Duran de Cristales.
These tourists help the Salvadoran tourist industry; in addition to spending and helping the economy, they also become ambassadors of El Salvador to each of their countries of origin.
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Furthermore, Duran stated that El Salvador has become a mandatory stop for cruise lines, indicating that preparations are already underway for the 2023-2024 season.
The Bukele administration has developed a strategy to use tourism to increase the country’s economy and change people’s perceptions of the country worldwide.
Even though El Salvador is in the middle of a controversial State of Exception, the tourist industry is thriving. Salvadoran authorities credit the improved security as the principal reason tourists visit the country.
