From January to May 2026, 1 million 367 thousand 789 non-resident visitors entered, which represented 14 thousand 380 tourists (1.06%) more than in the same period of 2025, they report. statistics from the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat).
Only in May the entry was 241,535 foreign visitors, with a drop of 9,096 people (-3.63%).
What influenced
Inguat attributes the year’s performance to various factors.
It mentions that it has implemented an international marketing strategy that consists of attracting more tourists from strategic markets in segments of travelers with a longer potential stay, greater spending capacity, as well as interest in culture, nature, adventure, gastronomy, heritage and experiences.
In the opinion of the institution, this strategy is working and international promotion influences the travel decision. He explains that in May markets such as Canada, Colombia, Mexico, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Israel, Argentina, Australia and Japan grew. He adds that presence is gained, since searches for flights to Guatemala grew 55% compared to 2025.
However, according to statistics, a drastic change in the income of foreign exchange for tourismsince in the period from January to May US$523 million were recorded, with a growth of US$4.6 million (0.86%).
By month, between January and March, foreign currency income grew between 7.5% and 9.5%, but in April and May there were drops of -10.8% and -4.3%, respectively.
What is attributed to May’s behavior?
Due to the drop registered in May in the entry of visitors from abroad, Inguat states that it reflects a recomposition of the origin of visitors but not a loss of attractiveness of the destination.
He attributes this to the lower arrival of visitors from El Salvador, which he identifies as the main sending market to the country, and which had a drop of -15%.
CONTENT FOR SUBSCRIBERS
In addition, air arrivals grew 2%, land revenues fell 7%.
Mentions factors such as regional mobility, especially from neighboring countries, influenced by the international rise in fuel prices and changes in regional connectivity, such as the suspension of the direct Guatemala-San José route by an airline. But he said that strategic markets registered relevant growth.
What to expect for the rest of the year
For the moment, the tourist entry goal for 2026 remains at 3 million 630 thousand non-resident visitors, which represents around 8% more than in 2025. In foreign currency, the institutional goal is US$1 thousand 516.2 million, with expected growth of around 9%.
In this regard, Inguat said that every month a technical analysis of the projections is carried out and, if deemed necessary, the corresponding adjustments will be made and assured that the international marketing strategy presented will continue to be strengthened.
He mentioned as an example that there was an improvement in the country’s tourism perception, since in May of this year the Global Tourism Perception Index of Guatemala reached 84.7 points, with a growth of 5.5%. The Safety Perception Index increased 6.8% to 92.4 points. “These results reflect that the experience, digital reputation and public conversation about Guatemala are advancing favorably on platforms such as social networks, travel portals and booking sites,” the entity says.
work to be done
Pedro Prado, analyst at the Association for Research and Social Studies (Asies), believes that in May the international impact due to the rise in fuel prices, due to the effect on transportation and other items, could also have influenced.
He pointed out that it is important to continue with actions to implement measures related to tourism policy and take advantage of Guatemala’s potential in various segments and that promoting actions to attract people with greater consumption capacity will benefit the sector in activities such as services, restaurants, tour guides and accommodation.
However, he mentioned that high growth is not yet reflected in currencies.
For this reason, it is considered necessary to continue working to improve the conditions of the productive infrastructure related to mobility. Although positive changes are already being noticed at the La Aurora International Airport, “there is still a lot to do” both in that facility and in roads and ports, express.
Seasons, high and low
May, June and July are low season months for foreign tourism, in August an improvement is reflected mainly due to the arrival of Salvadoran visitors. Then, between mid-October and the end of December, it is high visitor season, so tourism is expected to continue growing, Rolando Schweikert, president of the Chamber of Tourism (Camtur), recently said.
Regarding domestic tourism, Carlos Rezzio, president of the Guatemágica Local Tourism Board, in coordination with the Retalhuleu Tourism Association (Asotur), indicated that they expect a rebound in the influx of visitors due to the mid-year school holidays, after June 15 and believes that the opening of the Xochi Corridor reduces travel time to the area, it will motivate more travelers. He added that in July the expansion of the Xocomil park is scheduled to open, which will double the capacity to receive visitors.
CONTENT FOR SUBSCRIBERS
Jorge Mario Chajón, advisor to the office of the Workers’ Recreation Institute of the Private Company of Guatemala (Irtra), commented that occupancy and reservations at Los Hostales del Irtra and Aldea de la Selva are at 100%.
The anniversary of the Xetulul Theme Park, the mid-year school holidays, the Army Day break and the bank break make this period a high season in influx, and they expect close to 150 thousand visitors, he added.
In Antigua Guatemala, visits increase during the second half of June and holidays, commented Carlos Ramos, hotelier and president of the Association of Tourist Service Providers of Antigua Guatemala and Sacatepéquez (Asoprotur).
The tourism sector hopes that the weather conditions will not affect the influx, which began to regularize after the effects of Storm Cristina.