Tourism revenues rose 41.2 percent in Guatemala

Earnings in Guatemala’s tourism jacked up 41.2 percent during the first third of the year compared to the first four months of 2002, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (INGUAT) informed.

According to the state-run institution, visitors coming to the country since the turn of the ongoing year have shelled out $224 million, a much larger tally than the $182.8 million funneled into the nation’s coffers in the first third of 2002.

“This figure accounts for a record high and buttresses tourism as the country’s number-one currency maker after money remittances sent from abroad,” the INGUAT press release points out.

The information doesn’t provide details about the sending countries nor the amount of tourists who visited Guatemala.

Back in 2002, the leisure industry in that Central American nation chalked up $612 million, over 24 percent more than the previous year.