The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) reveals the latest updates from its members. 

Belize’s latest visitor statistics indicate that April has seen the highest level of growth so far in 2017, with overnight arrivals increasing by 24.2% yoy, compared to April 2016, closely followed by the month of June with a 10% growth yoy. Over the past five years, overnight arrivals in June have rivalled January figures, which is Belize’s high season. This suggests that the traditional high season period is expanding across the year.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ITC) in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and CNN International launched a new advertising campaign called: ‘Essential Costa Rica. My Choice, Naturally’ in five key European markets including the UK.

Featured on social media, digital and television platforms in the five markets, the aim of the initiative is to showcase Costa Rica as a complete tourist destination that generates authentic travel experiences and a sense of wellbeing in visitors.

From January to May 2017, Panama receive a total of 102,388 European tourists, a 25.4% increase on the same period in 2016, according to data from the Panama Tourism Authority. Visitors come mostly from Spain, Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands, who choose Panama for its nature and culture.

The construction of the ‘Costañera Del Pacifico’ highway in Nicaragua is set to be completed by August 2017. The 131 kilometre highway will stretch from the north to the south of Nicaragua’s Pacific coast connecting main tourist areas including San Juan del Sur, El Naranjo, Ostional and Masachapa. It is anticipated that the project will boost tourism in Nicaragua and improve access to some of the main tourist sites in the destination.

Lufthansa will fly direct from Frankfurt to San José twice weekly on Thursdays and Saturdays. Flights will depart from Frankfurt International airport at 13:45 arriving into San José at 17:55 local time. The return flight departs San José at 19:50 and lands at Frankfurt Airport at 15:10 the following day with a flight time of approximately 11 hours. Return flights in economy are priced from £785.

A new luxury island resort has now opened in Nicaragua, in the undiscovered part of the Caribbean. Calala Island features four beachfront suites overlooking the Caribbean Sea and accommodate ten guests at a time.