To the time of writing, Nicaragua continues to have the second lowest number of confirmed cases in the Central American Integration System (CAIS - comprising the seven countries of Central America plus the Dominican Republic), and the lowest of any country on the mainland American Continent with a Pacific Coast. These figures are from the CAIS, which works directly with the authorities in each country, and are the only figures accepted by the WHO.
This has been achieved with a balanced approach that has ensured the country remains open, with the economy continuing to function, guaranteeing the continued flow of goods, services and people (borders have not been closed at any point to citizens of any country), thus meeting our commitments to our international partners in terms of international trade and investments, as well as their rights to visit Nicaragua. All of this guarantees the wellbeing of the population, ensuring their right to work.
In this context, the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) has reported that Nicaragua has the fastest rate of exports growth in Latin America, with 14%, 11 percentage points higher than any other country in the region (see image). See here for the full report in English. Leading products driving this growth include gold, coffee, sugar cane, beans and tobacco. According to the same report, Nicaragua also reported the lowest decline in Latin America with regards to land transport of products (just 2% - see below image).
Core to our country’s economic resilience has been close co-operation with the CAIS (of which Nicaragua currently holds the Pro Tempore Presidency) which has overseen a Regional Contingency Plan to pool resources and ensure trade and transit continues as freely as possible. Indeed the CEPAL report cites Nicaragua’s diversification and strong levels of trade with its Central American neighbors, noting that the region has the highest level of intra-regional commerce of any in Latin America. Likewise, the Central American Bank of Economic Integration (CABEI), supported by the member states, has guaranteed the liquidity of economies.
This close work alongside the CAIS has been especially important with regards to tourism, ensuring standardised biosecurity protocols across the region and a united response to return the sector to growth as soon as possible, beginning this second semester of 2020, with promotional actions via the Central American Tourism Agency (CATA), and measures to return to full air, land and sea travel between the countries of the region.
Regarding international flights, Spirit Airlines will recommence flights between Managua and Miami this August 17th, and we are expecting international flights to be operating from Europe and the US as normal by this October. Likewise, Nicaragua’s hospitality sector is operating fully and ready to receive international visitors again, with hygiene and sanitation measures in place. In addition, the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR) has been working hard alongside LATA and others to support the efforts of our UK and Irish partners and stakeholders to promote the country for travellers to visit as soon as possible, with promotional campaigns, webinars for the UK trade with Minister of Tourism Anasha Campbell (see photo), and an Online Travel Training course for agents (soon to go live).
This is all supported by multi-million investments in tourism infrastructure, including the approval of a new deepwater port in Bluefields, the first on Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast, which is projected to receive 90 cruise ship arrivals and 174,000 passengers per year, with space for expansion, and the ongoing expansion and upgrading of Corinto cruise port (pictured - photo via mainretraffic.com), Bluefields airports, and roads, bridges and highways across the entire country - including improving access to Rio Coco Geopark (home to Somoto Canyon, pictured below), designated last month as the first member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in Central America.
We look forward to seeing you soon in Nicaragua for tourism and business, and again welcoming you to enjoy the warmth of our people, the beauty of our landscapes and the quality of our produce!
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