The media notes that if “current trends persist, the country is prepared to emerge as an increasingly desirable place.”
International Living magazine says that “tourism is booming” in El Salvador, since in 2023 alone $2.8 billion was received in tourism, which represents 50 per cent more than the previous year.
In an article published this Sunday, the specialized media highlights that according to “local means,” children “play again in the parks” and Salvadorans can travel by bus “without fear of extortion or the possibility of dying.”
“The restaurants remain open late at night due to customer demand, and many have started delivery services,” the article says.And while he warns that “El Salvador has certain disadvantages” is close to the United States and stresses that if “current trends persist, the country is prepared to emerge as an increasingly desirable place.”
“Today, a very different El Salvador is emerging. President Bukele came to power on a platform that promised to rid the country of gangs. Now that he has done so to a large extent, he is looking for “investment migration” as the next stage to elevate El Salvador,” says the article written by Jeff Opdyke.
The note quotes travel writers, bloggers and YouTubers who have been flooding the country in the years after the COVID, and report that life seems quiet, particularly in cities across the Pacific that are popular with bathers, nature enthusiasts and surfers.
“The main roads between cities are easily passable and a police/military presence is heavy, a show of strength to remind the remaining gang members that there is a new sheriff in the city,” the note says.The magazine also appreciates this year’s announcement by the President of the Republic, Nayib Bukele, about the delivery of 5,000 passports for foreign scientists, engineers, doctors, artists and philosophers.
“The country is certainly not Panama or Costa Rica, which have decades of stability and strong institutions,” says the article, which at the same time urges foreigners to process one of the free passports because “a free passport is a free passport.”
In addition, it is noted that in early 2024, the country “removed its income tax” for foreigners.
This article has been translated after first appearing in Diario El Mundo