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'Destination-Guatemala' by elpolvo
International Airlines and Wholesalers are Betting on 'Destination-Guatemala'

Wednesday September 8, 10:20 am ET
US Airways, Iberia Among Others in the Travel Industry Are Betting on Guatemala as a First-Class Destination

GUATEMALA CITY, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Guatemala is the talk of the industry as the new tourist destination, thanks to recent agreements between the Guatemala Tourist Commission (INGUAT) and North American, European and Latin American airlines. Adding to the excitement are newly reached alliances with wholesalers in the United States, who are betting on the beauty, the warmth and the magic Guatemala has to offer.

Spanish airline Iberia, the national airline of Spain and one of the largest in the world, was the first to recognize the potential of Guatemala as a tourist destination. Starting October 2, 2004, Iberia will offer three- times-a-week round trip direct flights between Guatemala City and Madrid using an Airbus A-340. "We believe in Guatemala's potential, and the current strong political will in the country," asserted Fernando Conte, President of the Spanish airline.

With the arrival of Iberia, Guatemala increases its airline seat capacity from 46,000 to 78,000 per year. It also increases the intensity of its promotional efforts in Europe, since the Iberia agreement includes marketing Guatemala on the European continent. "Iberia will cover the priority European tourism markets for Guatemala: Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain. Iberia's investment in our country confirms European interest in visiting Guatemala, which already includes 61,030 European visitors in the first semester of 2004," indicated Alejandro Sinibaldi, Minister of Tourism from INGUAT.

US Airways, the seventh largest airline in the United States, is also betting strongly on Guatemala, with positive forecasts for both tourism and business travel. US Airways has identified great potential in the United States market for customers not only interested in the archaeological attractions of Guatemala, but also Guatemala's magic, Guatemala's adventure, and the unique diversity found in every corner of the country.

In February 2005, US Airways will begin daily flights to and from Guatemala from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, using an Airbus 319 with a capacity of 120 passengers, increasing the amount of seats offered to Guatemala by 43,000 per annum.

"One of the goals established by INGUAT management is to strengthen the tourism industry of the country by increasing the number of arrivals from priority markets such as the United States, presently Guatemala's second most important tourism partner. In order to achieve this goal, it will be necessary not only to increase the amount, but also the variety of available seats, as well as options for actual flights to the country. We are pleased to confirm that US Airways has decided to invest in our country, recognizing Guatemala's growth potential as a vacation destination for American tourists," Sinibaldi explained.

Official statistics support US Airways' Guatemala initiative since 139,255 visitors have arrived from the United States in the first six months of 2004 - - 33.7% more than in the corresponding period of 2003. "Our investment in Guatemala forms part of our corporate expansion strategy, which will involve destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America. Our flights to Guatemala can connect seamlessly with more than 12 US cities and three in Canada," indicated Doug Leo, US Airways' International Vice President for Sales for the Caribbean and Latin America.

Perhaps the most important aspect of these alliances is that INGUAT has made the cost of travel to Guatemala more affordable for tourists from Europe and North America. In the case of Iberia, tickets will be offered at an average cost of 400 euros ($484) from Madrid to Guatemala. For its part, US Airways has announced the least expensive fares in the market, with a $298 fare from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Guatemala. Both fare structures represent a reduction on the order of 40% from previously existing levels.

In addition to these alliances, INGUAT has signed a number of cooperation agreements with Latin America airlines COPA, TACA, and Mexicana, who already serve Guatemala. They include promoting Guatemala's destinations in Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, the United States, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Mexico, as well as orientation trips for the press and travel agencies; destination presentations; and the distribution of promotional material on Guatemala.

"This joint effort will encourage a greater flow of tourists to Guatemala, a destination with a broad and interesting range of tourism attractions, with the subsequent economic benefits to the country, and especially to the communities that host tourism. Together with INGUAT, we are proud to stimulate tourist activity in Guatemala," asserted Roberto Carbone, Vice President for Marketing for TACA.

For his part, Moises Veliz, Vice President for Government Relations for COPA Airlines, Panama, evidenced great satisfaction with the signed agreement, saying, "The exchanges between the countries in which we operate contribute to a strengthening of tourism, as a force for economic development within our countries."

According to Alejandro Sinibaldi, Director of INGUAT, "These agreements confirm that the country is a first class tourist product. They also allow us to promote Guatemala in the more than 30 destinations on the American continent and the Caribbean where TACA, COPA and Mexicana fly."

To support these airline agreements and to work on increasing demand, the INGUAT strategic plan also includes expanding the number of wholesalers and travel agencies in the United States that promote Guatemala as a tourist destination. At present there are 30 U.S. wholesalers who offer travel packages to US tourists. INGUAT has now doubled this number.

"In the second week of September, 30 new wholesalers from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Florida and Montreal are coming to Guatemala. In addition to visiting different Guatemalan attractions, they will have the opportunity to meet with local hotel operators in negotiating sessions, to put together their packages and include them in their vacation programs," Sinibaldi said.

According to Daniel Taramona, manager of Tara tours, a Miami-based wholesaler, who has promoted Guatemala as a tourist destination for more than 20 years, "The country is very attractive, it is rich in culture and no one has the archaeological and historical heritages of Guatemala. We have sold Guatemala all these years because of its proximity to the United States, and its people make visitors feel at home. It's a destination at a completely different level, since it is visited by more educated tourists, more cultural. It's not surprising that now there are so many people interesting in promoting Guatemala."

The growing interest in Guatemala has also put the government of Guatemala to work to improve the tourist infrastructure and security environment for the tourist. "The world is looking at us and we must respond. So the government is talking about awarding a concession for the management of the La Aurora International Airport in the next three months, with the aim of improving the services in the terminal," said Alejandro Sinibaldi, Minister of Tourism from INGUAT.

With regard to security, Sinibaldi announced the strengthening of the tourism police (POLITUR) a specialized group belonging to Guatemala's national civilian police, responsible for protection of and attention to both national and foreign tourists. The POLITUR officers are being trained by INGUAT staff to provide information to tourists, from places to see to recommended wearing apparel, to necessary precautions.

POLITUR patrols tourist zones, which has resulted in a record reduction of incidents involving tourists. Today the latter represent just 0.006% of the total of visitors who entered the country during the first six months of the year.

With all of these successes safely tucked away, INGUAT is confident that it will meet the goal of a million tourists this year. "According to the immigration authorities, 563,516 visitors entered the country in the first six months of 2004, a full 34.1% more than the corresponding period in the prior year. These figures show that Guatemala is, today more than ever, in the eye of the international tourist hurricane, and that we will continue to surge ahead as a preferred destination among world travelers," Sinibaldi asserted.

INGUAT

INGUAT is a government institution dedicated to promoting, generating and increasing local and international tourism to Guatemala. The institution is comprised of a team of professionals committed to developing and providing information to tourists on the diverse geographic, historic, cultural and natural characteristics that Guatemala offers as a tourist destination.

INGUAT provides information to tour operators, travel agents as well as the general public through Diplomatic Missions, through which those interested can direct their requests to obtain informative material on the country.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040908/flw012_1.html

RE: 'Destination-Guatemala' by Anna
Hello - I just went to Guatemala and my family and I were carjacked, beaten, taken to another location,stripped of our clothes, tied up, robbed, and made to believe that we were going to die. When I reproted this incident to the U.S Embassy, they indicated that this is an ongoing problem. the latest news from the Embassy, is that these animals are rapping children. I can identify 2 of the 6 attackers - police officers. An attack happened 2 days after ours, and the Mother dies last weak from the gun shot wound. So, I really don't think it's save to travel to Guatemala. Until you have lived this nightmare, you have no idea. To see someone beating your mother for no reason, and you can't do a thing - unthinkable!!!

RE: 'Destination-Guatemala' by Catherine Todd
Dear Anna,

Thank you for posting your terrible experience when you went to Guatemala. I can't believe this happened to you and your family. THIS NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED! The fact that you could IDENTIFY your attackers, and they were the police, is something I have been told many times by the Guatemalan people who live there, and are subject to this kind of treatment at any time, day or night.

Corruption is a terrible thing, and it has invaded the government and the police force in a terrible way, along with gangs and other problems in Guatemala. It is so sad, as I live there now and have a great love for this beautiful country and most if it's people, who are kind and open and very nice to know.

I hope that the problems of kidnapping all through Latin America can be solved, and your attackers, in particular, can be BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. You will be in my prayers.

Sincerely, Catherine Todd, North Carolina USA

Dear ANNA by Lyn
Anna, i'm truly sorry for what happened to you and your family. How long ago did that happened? I'm just curious because i'm a comunication student who has an assingment about violence in Guatemala. So i have a few cuestions that might help me and help you spread the word to end this nightmare. What happened to you, happens to many families daily: a few days ago a friend of mine was jacked in her own house with her family, everything was stolen and it has been a tragedy since then.
Please contact me if you can: lyn@fm95.com.gt

If it's ok with you I have a few questions that might help me out.
Thanks and you will also by in my prayers.

Sincerly, Lyn

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