August is a month of celebration in the neighboring country, where the divine Savior of the world is celebrated. The date is also exploited by some to carry out tourist activities inside and outside the Salvadoran territory. The employer festivities extend from August 1 to 6 and conclude with the commemoration of the saint.
This celebration, considered the largest and most traditional employer festival of El Salvador, is lived with devotion in the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Salvador and includes parades in honor of the divine Savior of the World, which on August 6 is transferred from the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the Cathedral.
According to the Aventurism portal, the origin of the festival dates back to the third decade of the 16th century, as a recreation of Jesus’ transfiguration. During the traditional procession, devotees carry on their shoulders the image known as “El Colocho”, which represents Christ.
The Agostinas festivities emerged after the foundation of the city of San Salvador, in 1525. Within the framework of this celebration, the Lutherans hold a march that runs through the streets of San Salvador, from the Cuscatlán Park to the Lutheran Cathedral Resurrection. The tour concludes with an outdoor festival that includes music, gastronomy and the traditional corn festival, according to the religious tourism portal.
Although it is originally from El Salvador, this holiday has become a binational tourism exchange, since many Salvadorans travel to Guatemala to vacation and enjoy its tourist destinations.
The historian Mauricio Chaulón explains that the relationship between the two countries during these dates is mainly tourist, as Guatemala does not celebrate this invocation. It details that some Salvadorans take advantage of their rest to visit Guatemala, similar to other holiday seasons.
Tourism in Guatemala
As part of the planning for this season, the Guatemalan Tourism Institute (Inguat) has promoted various routes for visitors to explore the country’s landscapes.
According to the INGUAT market research and analysis department, the arrival of 89,750 Salvadoran visitorswith a relevant economic impact.
The most promoted routes include the city of Guatemala, which would receive at least 45% of visitors, as well as Antigua Guatemala, Izabal, Atitlán and Quetzaltenango, among other destinations.
Prevention Plan
As part of the preparation, Inguat has scheduled a security and prevention plan along with other entities in the country to receive visitors.
With this, the deployment of tourist support assistants will be made on the various routes so that they can provide information from tourist sites. The Plan includes tourist assistance delegates throughout the country, equipped with vehicles, first aid and direct communication with other institutions; Kiosks and information offices at strategic points indicates the Inguat.
It will also have accompaniment of the Tourism Security Directorate (Disetur) of the NATIONAL CIVIL AND PERSONAL POLICE of the Inguat, as well as coverage in priority borders with specialized patrols and telephone care in English and Spanish through the free line 1500.