Tourism in Guatemala: Between Myth and Reality

The main goal of this study was to analyze the Tourism sector and to estimate its importance for the nation's economy, to learn about facts which affect its development, and to propose a strategy to develop it.

This issue of Gerencia describes the growth of tourism both worldwide and in Guatemala. The growth rate of worldwide tourism between 1967 and 1989 reached 13.6%, making it one of the industries with higher growth rates.

The Guatemalan tourism industry began in 1882, when the great "Hotel San Carlos" was founded in the capital city. In the world market, Guatemala receives approximately 0.05% of all tourists in the world. A positive index according to the size of the country's economy, whose exports represent 0.04% of the world's total.

The country's growth rate in the tourism industry is 2 percentage points higher than the world's rate, which shows the country's development potential in this sector. In Central America, in 1993, Guatemala received 28% of all regional tourists, second only to Costa Rica. This after 20 years of being the most visited Central American country. Most tourists visiting Guatemala come from Central America (48% in 1992). 34% of the visitors come from the USA, followed by 17% of European tourists.

Facts and figures about the growth and development of the tourism industry around the world show its appeal for investors. Participation of the private sector must go further than just investing in new projects. It could manage tourist sites, national parks, museums and theaters. The privatization and demonopolization process is important to offer better services to the visitor. This, in a joint effort with the Central Government, the local administrations and the private sector to develop a more efficient tourism industry in Guatemala.