Island of Ometepe, formed by the cones of two volcanoes that emerge from the lake's surface. Granada itself is one of the best


examples of the country’s colonial history, with perfectly preserved Spanish-style houses arranged round pretty squares and patios. It was a conservative stronghold during the civil war, standing in contrast to the socialist fervour of León, the second-largest city in the country and a rival in terms of its colonial heritage. Bohemian León is located in


Nicaragua's most volcanic region and, for a truly unique experience, visitors can try their hand at 'volcano surfing' on the slopes of nearby Cerro Negro. León’s impressive cathedral was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011 thanks to its eclectic architectural style. Built between 1747 and the early 19th century, UNESCO says the cathedral's appearance neatly ‘expresses the


transition from Baroque to Neoclassical architecture’. More adventurous visitors to the


country can discover an almost completely undeveloped Caribbean coastline with empty beaches and wonderful diving and snorkelling, particularly in the exotic Corn Islands, which are sold by most UK-based tour operators that feature Nicaragua in their programmes. The region has very few roads and towns and consequently remains relatively free of mass tourism. The Pacific coast, in contrast, is a


haven for surfers and is frequented by pros and amateurs alike such is its reputation for great waves. San Juan del Sur is a popular stop


for those heading south to Costa Rica, while the beaches of Pochomil and Masachapa are within easy reach of the capital city, Managua. Best accessed from León, meanwhile, are the beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas on the country's northern Pacific coast.


TOURISM TALK


JULIO VIDEA Director of Marketing & Promotion at the


Nicaraguan Tourism Board


How is the tourism industry in Nicaragua performing right now? “Tourism in Nicaragua has significantly grown in the last five years thanks to the policies that the government has implemented in promotion and marketing, as well as tax incentives for investors. Nicaragua tourist arrivals have been growing at a rate of almost ten per cent a year, reaching the milestone of one million tourists in 2010. We are confident that in 2011 we will surpass that goal and that growth will continue.”


How important is the UK market, and what makes it different to others? “For Nicaragua, the British market is very important because they greatly appreciate our nature and our culture. In terms of tourist arrivals in Nicaragua it is the third biggest source market in Europe and it has been growing in recent years, which is why we are focusing a lot of promotional strategies on the UK.”


What tourism themes or facets of the country does the Nicaragua Tourist Board promote? “Nicaragua has many natural attractions and is home to seven per cent of global biodiversity. You can visit more than 76 protected areas where you can practice ecotourism. Visitors can also enjoy various


adventure activities such as 'volcano boarding', which is the new big thing in extreme sports. Nicaragua is also a great surfing destination. On the Pacific Ocean we have beaches just perfect for surfing that have been featured on TV and in magazines, and have been named among the top five beaches in the world for surfing. On the Caribbean coast, meanwhile, we have the beautiful white sand beaches of Corn Island, Little Corn Island and the Pearl


Cays – they are definitely the best kept secret on Central America’s Caribbean coastline.”


Is there any particular advice you would give to travel agents selling the country to their clients? “We encourage travel agents to sell our country as a warm place, where people know how to offer great hospitality to visitors. Nicaraguans transmit happiness with a smile, is a peaceful and secure country with a stable and steadily growing economy. All these characteristics will help travel agents to encourage the visitor to learn about the natural and cultural wonders of our country.”


What do you love most about Nicaragua? “We are a country with a rich colonial history, varied landscapes, and places like Granada, the oldest city in the Americas. It remains in the original place of its foundation on the banks of beautiful Lake Nicaragua. We are a multiethnic, multilingual


and multicultural country. On the Caribbean Coast the population is predominantly of African descent and indigenous culture, while people and culture on the Pacific are derived from a mixture of indigenous and Spanish people. Finally, in the northern part of the country, you can even find descendants from English and German families. In July 2011, UNESCO named the


Cathedral of León a World Heritage Site. This means that Nicaragua now has four UNESCO-listed World Heritage Sites and three Biosphere Reserves, which makes our country unique in Central America.”


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