During Holy Week 2023, tourism in Guatemala reached approximately 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT). From April 1 to April 9, there were nearly three million domestic tourist visits and over 134,000 international arrivals. The total economic impact was estimated at around 2.53 billion quetzals.
The most popular destination was La Antigua Guatemala, which accounted for more than half of all recorded visits. Other frequently visited locations included Retalhuleu, Quetzaltenango, Pacific beaches, Izabal, Lake Atitlán, Verapaces, Esquipulas, and Petén.
International visitors came mainly from El Salvador (53%), the United States (16%), and Honduras (10%). INGUAT’s Department of Research and Market Analysis provided these preliminary figures.
To maintain clean tourist sites during this period, INGUAT supplied cleaning materials such as liquid soap, detergent, brooms, gloves, rakes, and sacks across its regional offices. This effort benefited 186 tourist attractions in 18 departments throughout the country. Additionally, INGUAT representatives visited 142 tourism businesses to monitor visitor flow and distribute promotional material.
The digital guide “El Pregón” was made available to inform the public about main Holy Week activities and historical details on processions in various cities. There were over 8,100 downloads of these guides.
INGUAT also participated in making a traditional carpet in Guatemala City: "The institution also formed part of the traditional carpet of the City, where INGUAT created a 354-meter-long work of art on 21st Street between 4th and 6th Avenue in Zone 1. Approximately 85 volunteers took part."
Further actions included verifying tourism services through inspections at major destinations such as Sololá, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez, Sacatepéquez, Petén, Izabal, Zacapa, Chiquimula, Escuintla and Santa Rosa. In total: "1,812 verifications were carried out as follows: 1,135 at lodging establishments; 417 with tour guides; 253 with tourist transport; five travel agencies; two Spanish schools."
Assistance to tourists involved providing information services: "52,357 instances of tourist information support were given—56% to nationals and 44% to foreigners—148 assistances to tourists; 102 escorts including safe accompaniments; 203 calls attended by Call Center 1500 (87% national callers); 56 contacts via WhatsApp Assistance line (78% foreigners); and monitoring at more than eight hundred sites."
Holy Week remains one of the key periods for tourism-driven economic activity in Guatemala due to high numbers of travelers using services across the sector's value chain.
For further details see https://bit.ly/PPTResultadosTurismoSS23 or visit https://prensa.gob.gt/comunicado/el-turismo-alcanza-90-de-recuperacion-niveles-pre-pandemia-durante-la-semana-santa-2023
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