AGP Executive Report

Eco-Tourism Spotlight: Condé Nast Traveler named El Imposible National Park one of the “Seven Wonders” to visit in 2026, putting the park’s canyons, waterfalls, cloud forests, and rare wildlife (including pumas) on a global travel radar. Tourism Growth & Confidence: El Salvador’s Central Reserve Bank (BCR) upgraded its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 4.5%–5%, citing momentum across construction, industry, and tourism—plus improved security and stronger investor incentives. Visitor Demand in Motion: El Salvador’s tourism push keeps building—international coverage highlights El Zonte in Vogue Latin America, reinforcing the country’s Pacific-coast surf and nature appeal. Getting There Gets Easier: The Los Chorros Recreational Park reopened to the public after slope and infrastructure work, and the Pan-American Highway’s Los Chorros section fully reopened ahead of schedule, restoring smoother access for travelers. Infrastructure Upgrade: Work advanced on the Apopa Bypass project to ease congestion and improve regional road connectivity, with a new multi-bridge, four-lane route designed to divert traffic around Apopa’s urban center.

Nature & Wildlife Tourism: Condé Nast Traveler named El Imposible National Park one of its 2026 “must-visit” wonders, spotlighting canyons, waterfalls, cloud forests, and the park’s coffee-history roots. Surf & Sports Tourism: Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal) with free public activities like yoga, music, chess, fencing, surf lessons, and more. Tour Operator Expansion: Gray Line officially launched in El Salvador, rolling out tailored itineraries and a bigger expansion plan starting October 2026. Visitor Growth & Revenue: El Salvador’s tourism momentum keeps climbing, with reports of revenue up in H1 2026 and international arrivals nearing 3 million in 2026. Road Access for Travelers: Los Chorros Recreational Park reopened Aug. 30 after cleanup and slope work, and traffic on the Pan-American Highway section was restored ahead of schedule. Infrastructure for Getting Around: The Apopa Bypass project advanced with bids opened for a 4.8 km, multi-bridge route to ease congestion and improve connectivity.

Road Connectivity Boost: El Salvador is pushing ahead with the Apopa Bypass, with the Ministry of Public Works opening bids for a 4.8 km, four-lane route plus 12 bridges to help drivers skip Apopa’s urban center and ease congestion. Tourism Access Update: Los Chorros Recreational Park reopens Aug. 30 after slope and infrastructure work, and the Los Chorros stretch of the Pan-American Highway is back open after crews cleared material well ahead of schedule. Surf & Sports Tourism: Surf City will host the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal) with free public activities like yoga, music, chess, fencing, and surf lessons. Travel Market Growth: Gray Line officially launches in El Salvador with tailored itineraries and a bigger expansion plan starting Oct. 2026, citing rising international arrivals and tourism revenue. International Spotlight: Vogue Latin America features El Zonte in a travel story, adding fresh lifestyle-media visibility for El Salvador’s Pacific coast.

Tourism Infrastructure: Los Chorros Recreational Park in El Salvador reopens to the public on August 30 after slope and infrastructure work, with traffic fully restored on the Pan-American Highway’s Los Chorros section—crews finished the cleanup 36 hours early. Surf & Sports Tourism: Surf City will host the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept 4–13) at La Bocana and El Sunzal, with free activities like yoga, fencing, chess, surf lessons, and music for visitors and locals. New Travel Access: Gray Line officially launches operations in El Salvador, rolling out tailored itineraries and a planned expansion for October 2026. Tourism Demand Signals: International coverage highlights El Salvador’s rise as a travel powerhouse, while local reporting points to tourism revenue up 10% in H1 2026 and visitor growth toward 3 million. International Spotlight: Vogue Latin America features El Zonte in a travel story, adding fresh global lifestyle exposure for El Salvador’s Pacific coast. Safety Perception: A U.S. State Department update places El Salvador at Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” lower caution than Sweden, tied to El Salvador’s homicide drop. Community Travel Angle: A professor shares how lifelong learning through international travel led him to visit El Salvador.

Los Chorros Tourism Access: Los Chorros Recreational Park in El Salvador reopens to the public on August 30 after slope and infrastructure work, with the Pan-American Highway’s Los Chorros section fully restored ahead of schedule—good news for families, road-trippers, and visitors heading west. Surf & Sports Tourism: Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal) with free public activities like yoga, music, chess, fencing, lessons, and more. New Tour Operator: Gray Line officially launches in El Salvador with modern vehicles and tailored itineraries, signaling fresh investment as international tourism keeps climbing. International Spotlight: Vogue Latin America features El Zonte in “Paseo por El Salvador,” adding lifestyle-media visibility to El Salvador’s coastal travel appeal. Tourism Growth Context: Recent coverage highlights El Salvador’s travel momentum—tourism revenue up in H1 2026 and visitor numbers nearing 3 million—reinforcing why more brands are arriving.

Tourism Growth: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing, with $2.1B in foreign-exchange revenue in H1 2026 (up 10% vs. 2025) and international arrivals reaching about 2.9M by late July—up 24% year over year—driven by strong regional demand (Guatemala 41%) plus the U.S. (27%). New Operators: Gray Line has officially launched in El Salvador, rolling out modern vehicles and tailored itineraries, with an expansion push planned for October 2026. Surf Tourism: Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13) at La Bocana and El Sunzal, with free public activities like yoga, lessons, music, and sports events. Lifestyle Spotlight: Vogue Latin America featured El Zonte in “Paseo por El Salvador,” giving the coast fresh international visibility. Safety Perception: The U.S. State Department updated El Salvador to Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” reflecting a major shift tied to the country’s homicide-rate drop. Community Impact: Hundreds of faith leaders are urging the U.S. to extend TPS for El Salvador, highlighting how immigration policy uncertainty affects families and stability. Sports in San Salvador: Argentina vs Australia kicks off in San Salvador de Jujuy today (Aug. 29), with multiple streaming options noted for viewers abroad.

Tourism Momentum: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing fast—$2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%) and about 2.9M international visitors by late July (+24% vs 2025, +94% vs 2019), with Guatemala, the U.S., and Honduras leading arrivals. New Access & Operators: Gray Line has officially launched in El Salvador, rolling out tailored itineraries and a bigger expansion plan for October 2026. Surf City Spotlight: Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept 4–13) at La Bocana and El Sunzal, with free public activities like yoga, lessons, music, and sports events. Global Media Exposure: Vogue Latin America featured El Zonte in a travel story, adding fresh lifestyle coverage to El Salvador’s growing surf-and-coast brand. Travel Safety Perception: The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador at Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” lower caution than Sweden’s Level 2.

Surf City Momentum: El Salvador is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13) at La Bocana and El Sunzal, with free public activities like yoga, Pilates, music, chess, fencing, surf lessons, and more to make the event feel welcoming for locals and visitors. Tourism Growth Numbers: Tourism revenue hit $2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%), while international arrivals reached about 2.9M by late July (+24% vs. 2025 and +94% vs. 2019), with key source markets including Guatemala, the U.S., and Honduras. New Tour Operator: Gray Line officially launched in El Salvador, rolling out tailored itineraries and a planned expansion in October 2026, betting on the country’s safety-driven travel boom. Connectivity Boost: Iberojet is set to start direct flights from San Salvador to Madrid and Barcelona (mid-September), with Air Europa expected to add service by year-end. Local Spotlight: A longtime professor marks his 50th country visit after adding El Salvador to his learning-focused travel goal.

Surf Tourism Boost: El Salvador’s Surf City is gearing up for the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (Sept. 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal), with a free public program that includes yoga, Pilates, music, chess, fencing, surfing lessons, and more. Global Tour Operator Launch: Gray Line has officially started operations in El Salvador, rolling out tailored itineraries and a planned expansion in October 2026, as tourism revenue and visitor numbers keep climbing. Tourism Numbers Climb: El Salvador logged $2.1B in tourism foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (up 10%), with international arrivals reaching about 2.9M by late July—up 24% year over year—driven by Guatemala, the U.S., and Honduras. Connectivity Push: New air links are expected to support growth, including Iberojet’s planned transatlantic flights to Madrid and Barcelona starting mid-September.

Tourism Growth: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing: $2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%), with international arrivals hitting about 2.9M by late July (+24% vs. 2025 and +94% vs. 2019), led by Guatemala (41%), the U.S. (27%) and Honduras (19%). Connectivity Boost: New air links are planned to support the surge, including Iberojet’s San Salvador–Madrid/Barcelona flights starting mid-September and Air Europa expected to add service by year-end. Infrastructure Update: The Los Chorros highway section will see temporary closures Aug. 29–30 for controlled rock blasting tied to the megaproject’s viaduct and roadway expansion. Local Spotlight: Bukele announced “El Salvador Renace,” a special broadcast Aug. 25 at 8 PM, framed as a countrywide update on security, infrastructure and tourism momentum. Travel Safety Context: The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador at Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” the lowest risk tier, citing major homicide reductions under Bukele’s anti-gang crackdown. Crypto Tourism Angle: In El Zonte (Bitcoin Beach), everyday bitcoin spending is reportedly down as more visitors default to cards and some locals struggle with bitcoin app payments. Immigration Pressure (for travelers): A Salvadoran woman from Los Angeles remains in ICE custody amid health concerns, underscoring how immigration enforcement can disrupt family travel plans. Regional Weather Risk: El Niño-driven drought and emergency alerts are spreading across Central America, with Panama declaring a national emergency—worth noting for itinerary planning.

Tourism Growth: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing: $2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%), with international arrivals hitting about 2.9M by late July (+24% vs. 2025 and +94% vs. 2019). Air Connectivity: Iberojet plans direct flights from San Salvador to Madrid and Barcelona starting mid-September, with Air Europa expected to add service by year-end—good news for travelers planning longer stays. Safety Perception: The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador at Level 1 “Exercise Normal Precautions,” lower than Sweden’s Level 2, tied to El Salvador’s homicide drop under Bukele’s anti-gang crackdown. Infrastructure & Roads: Los Chorros highway will see temporary closures Aug. 29–30 for controlled rock blasting tied to the megaproject viaduct and roadway expansion. Community & Culture: Bukele announced “El Salvador Renace,” a special broadcast Aug. 25 at 8 PM, signaling a push to spotlight the country’s transformation to wider audiences. Crypto Tourism Buzz: At Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, one local says bitcoin payments have nearly vanished as visitors shift to cards—an interesting snapshot of how travel tech habits are changing.

Tourism Growth: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing: $2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%), with international arrivals nearing 3M (about 2.9M by July, +24% vs. 2025 and +94% vs. 2019). Connectivity Boost: New air links are set to widen access, including Iberojet’s planned San Salvador flights to Madrid and Barcelona (mid-September) and Air Europa connectivity expected by year-end. Presidential Spotlight: Nayib Bukele announced “El Salvador Renace,” a special broadcast tonight at 8 PM, promising a message on the country’s transformation across tourism, infrastructure, tech, and development. Infrastructure for Travelers: The Los Chorros highway section will temporarily close Aug. 29–30 for controlled rock blasting tied to the viaduct and road expansion, with crews working around the clock to clear debris and restore traffic fast. Crypto Beach Watch: At Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, one local says bitcoin payments have nearly vanished and a worker even forgot how to use her bitcoin app—signaling a shift toward card payments and “savings” behavior. Regional Context: El Niño is worsening drought conditions across Central America, with Panama declaring an emergency and El Salvador issuing a maximum red alert for relief efforts.

Tourism Numbers: El Salvador’s tourism keeps climbing, hitting about $2.1B in foreign-exchange earnings in H1 2026 (+10%), with international arrivals nearing 2.9M by late July (+24% vs. 2025, +94% vs. 2019). Air Connectivity: New long-haul links are in the pipeline, including Iberojet flights from San Salvador to Madrid and Barcelona in mid-September and more connectivity expected later in the year. Infrastructure & Access: The Los Chorros highway segment will see temporary closures Aug. 29–30 for controlled rock blasting tied to the megaproject viaduct and road expansion. Local Tourism Boost: La Libertad Sur is rolling out tourism and barista training programs to strengthen the local economy. Community & Culture: A reminder that El Salvador’s surf scene is drawing international attention, with the ISA World Junior Championships set for Sept. 4–13 at La Bocana and El Sunzal. Policy Pressure on Travelers: Faith leaders are urging the U.S. to extend TPS for El Salvador before it expires Sept. 9, citing ongoing safety concerns.

Visa Shock for Travelers: The Trump administration says it will revoke B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas for people who applied for or are seeking asylum in the U.S., with estimates up to 200,000 affected—an approach that could trigger major legal fights. ICE Enforcement in the Region: A large ICE operation in Virginia and Maryland led to 1,328 arrests, including a Salvadoran national wanted on a murder warrant—another reminder of how immigration enforcement can disrupt travel plans. Road-Trip Disruption in El Salvador: Los Chorros highway will be temporarily closed Aug. 29–30 for controlled rock blasting tied to the viaduct and roadway expansion, with crews working around the clock to clear debris and restore traffic fast. Tourism Momentum: El Salvador’s service exports jumped in Q1 2026, with tourism delivering $884.4M (58% of service export revenue), signaling strong demand for travel and stays. Surf City on the Calendar: The ISA World Junior Championships (Sept. 4–13) will feature El Salvador surf breaks La Bocana and El Sunzal, with The Bahamas sending its first-ever junior surfing team.

Infrastructure & Roads: El Salvador will temporarily close the Los Chorros highway section on Saturday Aug. 29 and Sunday Aug. 30 as crews use controlled rock blasting to speed up the Los Chorros viaduct and roadway expansion, with heavy equipment working around the clock to clear debris and restore traffic fast. Tourism Economy: El Salvador’s service exports surged in Q1 2026, reaching $1.5265B, with tourism delivering $884.4M (58% of service export revenue), signaling continued momentum for travel-driven growth. Local Tourism Skills: La Libertad Sur launched tourism and barista training programs aimed at boosting the local economy and visitor experience. San Salvador Cable Car: Progress continues on the San Salvador cable car, with key import shipments scheduled for September ahead of a planned 2027 opening. Surf & Sports Tourism: Bahamas teen surfers will compete at the ISA World Junior Championship in Surf City, El Salvador (Sept. 4–13), highlighting the country’s growing role in international youth surfing. Regional Travel Access: Air France adds a new nonstop Pointe-à-Pitre–Panama City route starting Dec. 11, 2026, expanding connections for travelers heading through Panama to Latin America.

Tourism Economy Boost: El Salvador’s service exports surged in Q1 2026, hitting $1.5265B (+12.4% y/y), with tourism leading the charge at $884.4M (58% of the total), signaling sustained momentum for travel and related sectors. Infrastructure & Access: San Salvador’s cable car is moving toward its 2027 opening, with key import shipments scheduled for September, a major step for visitor access to the city. Coastal Surf Spotlight: Surf City El Salvador will host the ISA World Junior Championship (Sept 4–13), and the Bahamas will send its first-ever junior surfers—showing how the event is pulling more international youth talent to La Libertad breaks like La Bocana and El Sunzal. Regional Travel Connectivity: Air France adds a new nonstop route from Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe) to Panama City starting Dec 11, 2026, strengthening Central America connections that can feed onward travel to El Salvador. Sports Tourism Calendar: Concacaf Nations League schedules were confirmed, with El Salvador placed in League B and set to play Honduras, Jamaica, Guatemala, and others across the Sept–Oct window. Health & Travel Context: A growing Central American kidney disease crisis (mesoamerican nephropathy) is being linked to Pacific-coast communities, a reminder that health conditions can shape how travelers and diaspora plan visits.