Central America SECRET SEVEN
Once a byword for civil wars and coups, Central America today offers an extraordinarily diverse line-up for tourists, says Adam Coulter
flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras,
T
El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama provide an extraordinary mix of Mayan culture, stunning landscapes of smouldering volcanoes and untouched coasts, topped off with vibrant cities and breathtaking natural beauty. In the UK the region is represented by
the Central America Tourism Authority (CATA), which runs a very focused marketing campaign and promotes the annual Central America Tourism Market, which this year takes place October 20-21 at the
he seven nations of Central America connect Mexico to South America, in a thin arc
Intercontinental Playa Bonita Resort and Spa in Panama City. There has been huge investment in hotel and transport infrastructure in Central America over the past few years. Major international hotel chains such as Starwood, Hilton, Marriott, Riu, Nikki Beach and IHG have opened new properties in several countries plus there are several new eco-lodges and boutique hotels.
The countries have also
been improving their airports, and developing new tourism products such as the Lenca Trail in Honduras, the Peace Route in El
Salvador, the Maya People programme in Guatemala and the Volcanic and Colonial Trail through Central America. Overall, the region has fared well during the recession, largely because it is a genuinely cheap destination where the pound still goes a long way. The number of foreign visitors to the region increased by 10.8% in 2010, with a total of 11,839,922 visitors arriving in Central America during 2010, 1,155,564 more than in 2009. The
number of British visitors was up by 6.74% in 2010 to 98,293.
Clockwise from top left: A tribal experience in Panama's jungle;
the Caribbean side of Panama in Bocas del Toro; some colourful festivities in Costa Rica
www.sellinglonghaul.com • May 2011 25
Selling Tip It is best to avoid
travelling during the rainy season, which lasts from May to October
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