Central America tourism agency reveals latest visitor numbers
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The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) gives an update from its members. 
Nicaragua has seen an increase in tourism numbers from the UK and Europe.
In the first three months of this year (Jan-March), the country saw a 9% increase in tourism arrivals with the share of European visitors to Nicaragua increasing by 3.3%.
From the UK specifically, 2016 welcomed a 16% increase in UK visitors compared to 2015 with top destinations including Managua, Granada, Leon and Ometepe.
Meanwhile, Belize records a 5% increase in UK arrivals. The total number of arrivals into Belize from the UK was up 5.5% in 2016, contributing to the highest number of overnight visitors to the country in 20 years. The increase in arrivals shows the impact of Belize’s promotional efforts in both the UK and Europe.
The Belize Tourism Board will host the first Belize Virtual Expo on June 29-30, 2017. The virtual platform will provide participants for the first time with the opportunity to easily learn and connect with 25 Belize tourism service providers from the comfort of their home locations.
Starting in the lobby of the trade show, attendees will have the choice to select, enter and exit sessions of their choosing as well as browse the exhibition hall to network with others via live chat sessions.
The Belize Virtual Expo offers participants a way to connect and learn more about Belize tourism outside of a traditional trade show environment and decide whether introducing Belize as a new destination is right for their business.
Visitor numbers to Costa Rica increased in the first quarter of this year. There was a 12.7% rise in UK visitors during the first three months of 2017. January saw the biggest increase in visitors from the UK with 8,085 Brits travelling to the destination representing a year on year increase of 19.2%.
Construction has begun on the National Congress and Convention Centre (CNCC) in San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. The CNCC will feature a main building with an area of 15,600 square metres and will have a capacity of 4,600 people. The architecture and design of the centre will be sustainable and it will offer spaces for expos, services, convention rooms, parking and open air events. The new convention centre aims to strengthen Costa Rica’s position in the meetings industry.
Tourism numbers soared in Guatemala during Semana Santa with a total of 115,295 tourists visiting the destination during Holy Week/Semana Santa, reflecting a 21.3% growth compared to the same time last year.
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