Guatemala Tourism Sector Reports 16% Growth in 2006

GUATEMALA CITY – Guatemala’s foreign-exchange earnings from tourism surged 16.4% in 2006, compared to the previous year, according to tourism industry and Bank of Guatemala figures.

The Central American nation registered total foreign-exchange earnings from tourism of $1.01 billion, up from the $869 million registered in 2005, the Bank of Guatemala said.

The Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT) had projected foreign-exchange earnings of $920 million for 2006.

INGUAT said the final figures on tourism arrivals for 2006 had not yet been compiled, but a total of 1.37 million people visited the country between January and November.

The tourism industry group had projected arrivals for 2006 of 1.4 million. Some 37% of foreign tourists come from other countries in Central America.