Nicaragua to Host
Regional Tourism Fair
MANAGUA - The Fifth
Central American Travel
Market Fair will be held
in Nicaragua from
October 10-12 to promote
multi-destination and
the attractions of the
country and the region,
Tourism minister Mario
Salinas announced.
Salinas told reporters
that 23 countries and
nearly 180 tour
operators from all over
the world, including
Australia and Oceania,
have confirmed
participation in the
fair.
He noted that Nicaragua
invests nearly 28
million dollars to boost
the so-called smokeless
industry, which grew 7
percent in terms of
tourist arrivals during
the first seven months
of 2008.
Vacationers' stay in
Nicaragua also increased
and hard-currency
revenues rose 14.3
percent compared to last
year.
Salinas pointed out that
Nicaragua's tourism
sector must grow 10
percent this year, in
contrast to 2007,
although it is hard to
measure domestic
tourism.
In financial terms,
tourism contributed 133
million dollars, and
250,000-350,000 tourists
visited the country
during the first
semester of this year.
During the fair,
Nicaragua will promote
its 230 tourist
destinations, including
Cañon de Somoto, the
Chontales pyramids and
other sites, such as the
Ometepe island, which is
among the world's top
natural beauties.
The fair is the region's
most important tourist
meeting and will bring
together some 200
exhibitors who will
promote sun and beach
options, adventures and
colonial cities.
|
