Friday, 30 September 2022 01:03

IDB approves $106 million to support the recovery of El Salvador's tourism sector

Written by Evelyn Alas

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $106 million loan to support the expansion and recovery of El Salvador's tourism sector. The operation aims to improve sector competitiveness by increasing tourism spending per visitor, increasing employment, and reducing gender gaps in the sector, as well as improving the environmental sustainability of the country's tourism destinations.

El Salvador has important tourist attractions, mainly natural encounters, which have been the basis for a thriving tourism sector. Between 2011 and 2019, tourism generated more than 17.9% of the country's exports and 31,360 direct jobs, which had a positive impact on the quality of life of thousands of salvadoran families, many of them in vulnerable situations. Improving environmental sustainability and resilience to climate change is considered vital to avoid irreversibly jeopardizing sectoral activity, which would negatively affect citizens' quality of life and the nation's growth prospects.

CORPORACIÓN SALVADOREÑA DE TURISMO

The country needs an adequate territorial planning of destinations, an environmental legislative framework that regulates key aspects such as coastal management, as well as solutions to the gap in access to drinking water and solid waste management services. These aspects will be some of those to be addressed with this program.

The operation approved by the IDB will enable strategic investments in resilient public infrastructure, with special attention to those scenarios most exposed to the impacts of climate change. In addition, key programs for environmental sustainability will be designed and implemented. For example, funds will be earmarked for the implementation of ecological seawalls; the restoration and inclusive conservation of critical ecosystems, including a program for the recovery and sustainability of mangroves in the eastern zone; and the development of environmental sustainability plans for destinations and environmental certifications for beaches.

The program will finance the expansion and improvement of seven potable water supply systems and four wastewater treatment systems. The program will also support the reinforcement of tourist safety by financing investments such as lighting, lifeguard posts, and signage at destinations and access routes.

Un recorrido por El Salvador – #afinidadviajera

The operation will also have a favorable impact on the productivity and resilience of the country's tourism business ecosystem. To this end, the program includes several instruments aimed at strengthening the sector's human capital and improving the tourism product, all of this while mainstreaming the gender perspective and promoting accessible tourism.

Studies show that women have educational gaps in El Salvador's tourism sector that are higher than the national average. Furthermore, although women represent 60% of the labor force, only 36% hold management positions. In order to promote gender equality and accessible tourism in the country, mechanisms will be defined so that both technical and financial assistance programs, as well as sectoral training programs, prioritize support for enterprises and investments aimed at advancing both aspects.

Viajar a El Salvador - Lonely Planet

The program aims at a comprehensive modernization of the sector, favoring the adoption of new communication and information technologies, as well as the modernization of the technological infrastructure and software of the sector's public entities.

Achieving the proposed objectives will have a positive impact on the quality of life of El Salvador's residents. Specifically, it is estimated that the program will benefit more than 960,000 people, including workers in the sector and their families.