Guatemala’s Beauty, Culture Drive 2014 Arrival Growth
Increasingly a draw for travelers intrigued by its natural, cultural and mystical attractions, Guatemala is heading into its prime tourist season off a steady pattern of growing arrivals.
Guatemala hosted 529,744 visitors in the third quarter of 2014, an increase of nearly three percent over 515,189 third-quarter visitors in 2013, according to data from Inguat, the government-run Guatemala Institute of Tourism. North American arrivals totaled 147,644, 27.9 percent of the country’s total.
Guatemala’s visitor growth comes as the country welcomes several new hotel properties including the Ramada Tikal Isla De Flores hotel, which opened in October. Other familiar North American brands planning new properties include Hyatt, Courtyard by Marriott and La Quinta, said Pedro Duchez, Inguat’s director.
“There is a projected investment of $350 million over the next three years from both the private and public sectors, which is allotted towards new hotels, infrastructure as well as the enhancement of public spaces and tourist attractions,” said Duchez. “It’s a very exciting time for the destination.”
Marriott International will build a Courtyard by Marriott hotel in Guatemala City’s Zone 10 district, with opening scheduled for 2016. The property will include a business lobby and bar, restaurant, meeting space and recreational facilities including a health and fitness club.
La Quinta Inns & Suites recently announced plans for properties in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, with construction slated to begin in 2015. Also in April, Hyatt Hotels Corporation announced plans for a 140-room Hyatt Place hotel to open in Guatemala City in 2016.
The Hyatt property will be located within a mixed-use shopping, entertainment, condominium and office complex. “Investment by these top hotel brands is a testament to Guatemala’s growing appeal in the international arena,” said Duchez.
Guatemala’s peak travel season runs from November through April and incorporates religious festivals tied to the winter holiday season. Tourism officials expect thousands of travelers to visit the region for the holidays to experience the country’s New Year’s celebrations.
Guatemala is also referred to by Inguat officials as the “Heart of the Mayan World,” a well-founded claim. The country offers a multitude of ancient Mayan sites and ruins set amidst lush rainforests and mountain regions. Guatemala is also filled with charming cities and towns set among mountains and volcanoes, plus several stone-walled colonial cities and colorful outdoor markets.
Travelers will also find numerous opportunities to explore and experience the country’s magnificent natural wonders, including Guatemala’s lush green countryside and pristine lakes and valleys.
Vacationers in search of cultural infusion can interact with Guatemala’s K'iche' sect of Mayan culture in the town of Chichicastenango, located 6,447 feet above sea level. The mountaintop city’s epicenter is the 400 year-old church of Santo Tomás, built atop a Pre-Columbian temple platform.
Today the steps leading to the church are considered sacred, and not to be trod by non-Mayans. Visitors can instead enter by a side door. K'iche' Maya priests continue to use the church for rituals that feature the intense, ritualistic burning of incense and candles.
Guatemala is in fact home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites: the colonial city of Antigua, the archaeological park and ruins of Quirigua and Tikal National Park. Serenely beautiful, Lake Atitlan in northern Guatemala’s Sierra Madre de Chiapas highlands is recognized as Central America’s deepest lake at 1,120 feet.
“While popular areas such as Antigua, Lake Atitlan and Petén see continued interest for further development, the Tourism Board is also focused on broadening the spectrum by showcasing other lesser known areas such as Las Verapaces and Rio Dulce that offer different types of excursions such as wildlife encounters and adventure experiences,” Duchez added.
