2008 Tourism Statistics, January–July

l503,507 tourists visited Nicaragua between January and July, registering a 7.5 percent increase over the same period last year, according to the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute (INTUR).

lMore than 61 percent of visitors were from Central American countries, 28 percent were North Americans, 6.4 percent Europeans, and 2 percent South Americans.

lAccording to the Central Bank, tourism generated $93.8 million in the first four months of 2008, which is 14.3 percent more than the industry generated in the same period in 2007.

lINTUR this year has approved 19 new tourism projects, totaling $13.4 million in investment and creating an estimated 254 new jobs. That is compared to $1.6 million in INTUR-approved tourism investment in 2007.