Guatemala Tourism Set For Massive Growth With International Visitor Spending To Soar 72% By 2035 And New Air Routes From Us And Canada

Published on October 10, 2025

Guatemala’s tourism assemblage is connected nan verge of a important economical surge, positioning nan state arsenic 1 of Central America’s fastest-growing recreation destinations. According to projections from nan World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), world visitant spending successful Guatemala is expected to emergence from GTQ 11.7 cardinal (USD 1.5 billion) successful 2019 to GTQ 20.1 cardinal (USD 2.6 billion) by 2035. This anticipated summation of 72% underscores nan expanding world entreaty of Guatemala’s rich | taste and earthy offerings.

The maturation outlook is impressive, pinch visitant spending forecasted to grow astatine a compound yearly maturation complaint (CAGR) of 4.1% betwixt 2025 and 2035. This gait is group to surpass nan wide economical maturation of nan nation, reflecting nan effect of important investments successful tourism infrastructure, preservation of taste heritage, and sustainable tourism initiatives. These efforts person not only strengthened Guatemala’s world estimation but besides enhanced nan value of experiences offered to some home and world travellers.

Recovery and description successful nan assemblage person been notable since 2019. By 2024, nan recreation and tourism manufacture is projected to make GTQ 47.2 cardinal (USD 6.1 billion), marking an 11% summation complete 2019 figures. Employment successful tourism has likewise knowledgeable beardown growth, pinch much than 541,000 jobs expected successful 2024, a 33% emergence from 2019. Forecasts propose this number will proceed climbing to 703,700 by 2035, highlighting tourism’s domiciled arsenic a cardinal driver of occupation creation successful Guatemala.

Domestic tourism presently accounts for nan mostly of visitant spending, contributing 66% of nan full successful 2024, while world visitors dress up 34%. However, spending by world visitors is projected to accelerate much rapidly, reflecting Guatemala’s rising visibility and competitiveness connected nan world recreation map. This inclination is further reinforced by nan description of aerial connectivity, including nan motorboat of JetBlue’s regular work from Fort Lauderdale to Guatemala City successful April 2025 and nan upcoming Air Canada way from Montreal, which will amended accessibility for travellers from North America.

The sector’s publication extends beyond economical maturation to authorities revenues and sustainability. Tourism-generated taxes reached USD 1.2 cardinal successful 2023, accounting for 10% of nationalist revenue. Meanwhile, biology sustainability is improving, pinch emissions per dollar of GDP dropping from 0.39 kgCO2e successful 2019 to 0.33 kgCO2e successful 2023. This demonstrates Guatemala’s committedness to reducing its ecological footprint while supporting accrued recreation and tourism activity.

Inclusivity is different hallmark of Guatemala’s tourism industry. Nearly half of each tourism jobs are held by women (46.1%), and one-quarter are occupied by young workers nether nan property of 25. These statistic exemplify nan sector’s capacity to supply meaningful employment opportunities, beforehand economical empowerment, and cultivate a divers workforce.

Guatemala’s entreaty lies successful its bonzer blend of earthy beauty, taste richness, and humanities significance. From nan awe-inspiring ruins of Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to nan volcanic landscapes surrounding Lake Atitlán and nan well-preserved assemblage streets of Antigua Guatemala, nan state offers experiences that cater to each type of traveller. Adventure seekers, civilization enthusiasts, and history buffs alike are drawn to its divers attractions, which harvester to create a tourism acquisition that is some immersive and unforgettable.

Looking ahead, sustained finance successful infrastructure, expanded formation connectivity, and a attraction connected sustainable, inclusive tourism are expected to propel Guatemala’s recreation assemblage to caller heights. As world nickname continues to grow, nan state is poised not only to invited expanding numbers of visitors but besides to guarantee that tourism remains a vital, equitable, and environmentally responsible motor of economical growth.