Avianca and regional tourism ministries want you to ‘Discover Central America’ with deep travel discounts

Avianca Airlines is now offering discounted rates on round-trip airfare in the region starting at $249, including taxes.  The promotion, which also includes deals on travel packages within Central American destinations, is part of a program called “Discovering Central America,” and it runs through May 15.

The tourism ministries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, along with Avianca, invested approximately $225,000 in advertising and special rates. Travel must take place between May 1 and June 20.

Avianca’s commercial director for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Danilo Correa, made the announcement this week alongside Viviana Rudin, chief of promotion and marketing at the Costa Rican Tourism Board, and Isabel Vargas, president of National Chamber of Tourism.

“We want to encourage the flow of travelers, both in short and long terms, and create more public awareness of the great options for sightseeing in our region,” Correa said at a press conference.

Part of the advertising budget goes to print ads published in the region that highlight the special characteristics of each country depending on the interests of the target audience. According to Rudín, Costa Ricans will see promotions focused primarily on El Salvador and Guatemala.

The website www.descubriendocentroamerica.com and Facebook page Descubriendo Centroamérica are part of the campaign.

“These actions of increasing the flow of tourists in the area will help boost our industry. In the case of Costa Rica, Central American tourism makes up 6 percent of total revenues reported by the country via air per year,” Vargas said.

Travel agents in the region will offer vacation packages that include airfare, lodging, tours, ground transportation and more.

This is the third year the promotion is being offered in partnership with Avianca, formerly TACA airlines.

Belize will not participate due to a lack of budget.