LatinNews Daily - 22 October 2010

Development: On 19 October, at the VII Central American Travel Market Fair (CATM) held in Antigua, Guatemala, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) announced that tourism in Central America had increased by 8.1% - a higher growth rate than the recorded world average of 7% - between January and August 2010 in comparison to the same period last year.
 
Significance:   In 2009, tourism in Central America suffered as a result of the global financial crisis and the bad press resulting from the military coup in Honduras. Some countries experienced as much as a 9% decrease in the number of foreign visitors who either did not have enough money or were too scared to travel to the region.
 
The announcement is good news for the overall regional economy, which is still recovering from the extensive damage caused by heavy rains this year. Tourism is one of the main economic motors in the region as it has the potential to attract new investments and promote growth.