This discussion with Victor prompted me to research Guatemalan tourism. I found some interesting information in an article one done by Huffington Posts' writer Ashley Michelle Williams and some excerpts from that article can be seen below.
Spring and Summer are booming tourism months for Guatemala, the weather is perfect and the scenery is stunning. People come from all around to see historic sites and its glorious natural sites like the Peten Protected Areas. Places like Peten stand out for their abundance in old Mayan cultural sites and serene natural forests.
Nearly 15% of Guatemalans work in the tourism industry, and it comes in second as a international currency to the country. From 2003-2009, "Guatemala has experienced an average annual growth in tourist numbers from 17% in the last four years [rising from 880,223 people to 1776,069."[1] However, global economic crisis has lessened tourism business in Guatemala beginning in 2010.
Sources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ashley-michelle-williams/the-economic-domino-effec_b_854151.html
http://www.aroundantigua.com/travel/destinations/tikal.htm
Hi Kelly!
ReplyDeleteA female childhood friend of mine traveled solo to Guatemala nearly 15 years ago. She experienced no negative issues, in fact she was brought into a family's home for the night after they saw her sitting on the side of the road waiting for her bus. I have wanted to visit since her adventure. My husband's colleague is Guatemalan, and lives in Guatemala city with his family. He was totally selling me on the virtues of Guatemala this past Christmas. Unfortunately, I now take the cautious route; his wife was carjacked approximately two months ago ... So, my little family has decided to put that trip on hold. Perhaps the situation will become less desperate for the people over time, hopefully.
It is amazing to see how much the country's economy depends on tourism. I would be very interested to know how people lives are being affected due to the global economic crisis experienced there,and in many other countries.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place, so amazing that these buildings still stand. I have been to Guatemala to visit family before, but have not yet had the opportunity to visit these sites.
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