El Salvador among the fastest growing tourism destinations worldwide

El Salvador is emerging as one of the world’s most striking success stories in post-pandemic tourism. In its latest World Tourism Barometer published earlier this year, UN Tourism ranks the country second globally in recovery, with an 81% rebound in international arrivals compared with 2019.

That surge is being fueled by an aggressive national strategy under El Salvador current President Nayib Bukele. He made tourism a cornerstone of economic development since taking office in mid-2019.

The USA generates a third of all international arrivals

The results are historic. In 2024, El Salvador welcomed 3.9 million visitors (+17% over 2023), generating $3.5 billion in foreign revenue. Top inbound markets were last year the USA with 1.3 million arrivals, followed by Guatemala with 0.83 million and Honduras with close to half a million arrivals. 50% of all arrivals came by plane.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, arrivals are projected to easily surpass the 4 million-mark in 2025, with revenue likely to climb above $4 billion. By the end of the decade, the country should welcome 5 million international travelers.

The growth trajectory has been steady and remarkable. Back to 2019, El Salvador hosted just 1.7 million tourists. In 2022, that figure reached 2.5 million, underscoring how dramatically the sector has expanded. So far this year, arrivals are up 14% compared with 2024.

Tourism contributed around 14% of El Salvador’s GDP in 2024, up from just 6.4% five years earlier. The boom has created jobs across sectors from gastronomy and lodging to entertainment and construction. Tourism Minister Morena Valdez estimates that the industry is expanding at a pace of 15 to 20% growth month after month since 2023. She describes El Salvador as one of the world’s most attractive emerging destinations.

Safety is a major driver to El Salvador tourism growth

One of the biggest drivers of this transformation has been public safety. Once plagued by some of the highest crime rates in Latin America, El Salvador has recorded a homicide rate of only 1.9 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2024. That makes the country one of the safest in the Americas and even in the world.

That dramatic turnaround has been crucial in attracting both tourists and international investors, replacing the country’s old image of a dangerous place to go with one of stability and progress.

Another factor is a busy calendar of international events. 2025 hosts five major surfing tournaments and two golf championships. The government is also promoting cultural and ecological tourism, with highlights such as the Maya archaeological site of Joya de Cerén, the flower-filled Ruta de las Flores, whale-watching excursions, and the revitalized historic center of San Salvador.

Another contributing factor is Surf City, a government initiative built around El Salvador’s world-class waves and pristine beaches. Many international surfing competitions have already been staged under its banner, helping to reshape the country’s global image.

Finally, El Salvador’s natural beauty—from volcanoes and crater lakes to coffee-growing mountains—turns the destination into an adventure travel paradise. This goes along with its cultural heritage and improved hospitality infrastructure that increasingly attract new waves of international travelers.