El Salvador and Panama target C&I market
(citmagazine.com) Central American countries invest in trade events and new venues
El Salvador and Panama are among Central American countries targeting the UK C&I market by investment in trade events and new venues.
Central America Tourism Agency chief executive Pilar Cano said the UK was the destination's second most important European market after Spain.
"Last year there was a remarkable increase in the number of British groups to Central America," said Cano. "Now we aim to consolidate further as a C&I destination by continuing to invest in better facilities and training, and promoting our offering in key markets such as the UK."
Panama plans to boost trade with several four- and five-star hotel openings over the next three years.
These include the $176m Megapolis Nortia Tower, set to open in Panama City in 2011.
It will occupy 190,000sqm and offer 2,200 rooms across 74 floors, a conference centre, meeting rooms, a leisure centre, gym and spa.
Other developments include:
- The Central America Travel Market (CATM), held for the first time in El Salvador, from 9-11 October.
- The largest exhibition centre in South America is set to open in San Jose, Costa Rica, by late 2010.
- The five-star Hotel Riu Guanacaste opens this year on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, with five conference rooms.
