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The Guatemalan Tourism Board, INGUAT, Joins GSTC

January 2018 – The Guatemalan Tourism Board, INGUAT, has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a national member.

INGUAT (Instituto Guatemalteco de Turismo) is the national superior authority in the tourism sector that develops the promotion, advertising, and sustainability practices of tourism industry through the specific legal guidelines from Guatemala’s Government. Its mission is to strengthen and diversify the tourism products and services according to the land use planning of tourism areas in Guatemala.

INGUAT also encourages the implementation of quality and sustainable criteria through the certification systems “Sello Q” and “Sello Q Verde” that have been established in the Master Plan of Sustainable Tourism, Guatemala 2015-2025.

“We are very pleased to welcome the Guatemalan Tourism Board to GSTC,” says Luigi Cabrini, GSTC Chair. “Becoming a GSTC member involves taking a pledge to adhere to the GSTC Criteria — as an important step to follow universal sustainability principles in the management and development of their tourism. We are glad that the Guatemalan Tourism Board is using the GSTC Criteria in policy development and operational planning.”

“Having spent three years in Guatemala working for the United Nations, I am personally aware of the great potential of the country as a sustainable destination!” adds Mr. Cabrini.

“INGUAT has manifested its commitment to sustainable tourism,” says MBA Jorge Mario Chajón, INGUAT Director. “Being part of GSTC’s global network, our institution is playing a critical role in advancing the mission of promoting sustainable tourism practices around the world, helping to protect the natural and cultural resources of the country for sustainable development.”

“In addition, we are committed to work and have a positive impact by contributing to the GSTC’s mission, working with national and international associations, to improve sustainable tourism practices,” adds Mr. Chajón.

GSTC encourages destinations pursuing sustainability practices in development and management of tourism, to join as GSTC members and apply the GSTC Destination Criteria , which eventually can lead to being certified by a GSTC-Accredited Certification Body .

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• Market Overview
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The United States is the top choice for Guatemalan travelers. At least half of Guatemalan tourists choose to travel to U.S. destinations due to the proximity between the two countries and increasing availability of non-stop flights. Also, it is important to mention that Guatemalan culture is highly influenced by U.S. consumption patterns, such as clothing, food, music, etc., which increases the affinity of Guatemalan travelers for the U.S. market.  

According to the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO), the number of Guatemalan visitors to the United States has steadily increased in the last few years. Despite experiencing a decline of 8.3% in 2022, resulting in 256,613 visits from Guatemalans to the United States, there is an optimistic outlook for 2023. Recent trends indicate an average increase of 15% during the months of January, February, and March 2023, suggesting a potential rise in visits for the year.  

The decrease in tourism during 2022 can largely be attributed to the delays encountered in obtaining new applications and renewals of the U.S. Tourist Visa (B1/B2). However, it is worth noting that the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala has implemented new policies to streamline and expedite these processes, resulting in reduced delays, although challenges remain.  Moreover, starting from January 2023, the renewal process has been optimized to the extent that it now takes approximately 3-4 days for the passport to reach a local courier. However, the return of the passport with the renewed U.S. visa still requires a timeframe of 4-6 weeks. On the other hand, individuals seeking new visa requests should anticipate a waiting period of approximately one year before obtaining an appointment.  These measures and improvements aim to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of visa processing, ultimately facilitating smoother travel experiences for Guatemalan visitors to the United States.

Significant insights regarding the travel patterns of Guatemalan visitors to the United States highlight two primary age groups: individuals aged 35-54 and young adults aged 25-34. Furthermore, an analysis of the top seven ports of entry reveals the preferred points of arrival for Guatemalan travelers, which include: 1. Miami, FL, 2. Los Angeles, CA, 3. Houston, TX, 4. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 5. Dallas, TX, 6. New York, NY, and 7. Washington, DC. These findings shed light on the demographic and geographic factors that shape the travel preferences of Guatemalan visitors to the United States. Favorite destinations for Guatemalan travelers include Texas, California, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, and New York and growing destinations are Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and Nevada. Businesspeople or trade event attendees also constitute a large category of travelers. Guatemalans often take advantage of tourist opportunities while traveling for business.

In addition to family-related tourism, Guatemalans travel to the U.S. seeking entertainment experiences. Travel to destinations with theme parks, shopping, National Parks, and entertainment venues increases during school vacations.      

Airline passenger capacity is growing. Before COVID-19, commercial airlines were flying approximately 610,000 passengers per year.   According to information provided by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC), from January to May 2022, 349,233 passenger traffic was reported leaving Guatemala to the United States and during the same period in 2023, 382,432 passengers have been reported, thus increasing by 9.51% respectively.

The following airlines offer daily non-stop flights from Guatemala to the United States: American Airlines, Avianca, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Spirit, Alaska Airlines, Volaris, and United Airlines.  

U.S. cities served by non-stop service include Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Newark, New York JFK, Orlando, and Washington D.C.

Other airlines also service the Guatemalan market offering flights to the United States and other international destinations, such as Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, Iberia, TAG Airlines, Aeromar, and Arajet.  Avianca, Aeromexico, Copa and Volaris transport thousands of Guatemalan passengers to the United States, with flights connecting in either El Salvador, Mexico City or Panama.  

The Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing along with the National Council of Alliances for the Development of Economic Infrastructure (CONADIE), will begin a modernization project to improve La Aurora International Airport facilities. This project has an estimated cost of $158 million. The consulting firm Deloitte Tetra Tech was hired to prepare feasibility studies and it is expected that by 2024 it will be ready for prequalification.  This project will be financed through a public-private partnership (APP).

Leading Sub-Sectors

Sectors within the U.S. Travel and Tourism market that are considered best prospects include:

• Family attractions
• Family-friendly and pet-friendly hotels
• Shopping venues (outlets and discount stores)
• Entertainment shows
• Sports events
• Cruise trips 

Many Guatemalans look to send their children to the United States to enhance their English-speaking skills in educational exchange programs. There is also interest in higher education schools among Guatemalan students.

Opportunities

We are actively promoting U.S. travel and tourism destinations by supporting the Visit USA Committee’s activities in the country, recruiting Guatemalan delegations to attend important tourism trade events such as IPW (https://www.ipw.com/).  We also maintain active contacts with the local media to provide them information on U.S. destinations.  

Each year, the Visit USA Committee in Guatemala organizes a trade event promoting the U.S. as a travel and tourism destination.  Airlines, hotels, car rentals, insurance companies, cruise lines, U.S. convention and visitors Bureaus, and U.S. tourism offices are among the main exhibitors. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, this event has had to be postponed, but new dates for its relaunch are being discussed for 2023 once the sector stabilizes more, travel restrictions ease, and the issuance of U.S. tourist visas normalizes.

U.S. Travel Association  

Visit USA Committee Guatemala    

Brand USA   

Dirección General de Aeronautica civil    

National Travel & Tourism Office  

Contact Information

Interested parties may contact Commercial Assistant Karla Salas at  [email protected] 

The 11 best places to visit in Guatemala, from Mayan ruins to smoking volcanoes

Nov 7, 2023 • 10 min read

Guatemala is a complex melange of cultures and landscapes combined into one magnificent whole © Lucy Brown-loca4motion / Shutterstock

The epicenter of Mayan culture in Central America, Guatemala is renowned for its dramatic volcanoes, black-sand beaches, biodiverse jungles, thriving Mayan townships and the stunning ruins of Tikal.

There's loads to see here. The country’s abundant natural attractions are topped off by the urban charm of Antigua, the country's former Spanish-era capital, where visitors can find some of the best food in Central America.

Everything in Guatemala feels vibrantly alive, from the Mayan culture of Chichicastenango to the serene waters of Lake Atitlán with its guardian ring of volcanoes. One trip will likely have you hooked for life, so here are the best places to visit to start the adventure in Guatemala, the Land of Eternal Spring.

Best for architecture, history and volcanoes

Just a 45-minute drive from Guatemala's main international airport, Antigua is most travelers’ first and last stop in Guatemala, and it rarely disappoints. This city’s cobblestone streets and colorful homes are surrounded by towering volcanoes, the most impressive of which is El Fuego ("the fire"), whose steep slopes are regularly marked by low-level eruptions.

Antigua is a place to pose for selfies under the iconic Arco de Santa Catarina , shop for Mayan handicrafts, take stunning photos of volcano-backed street scenes and colonial architecture, study for Spanish language courses, and refuel in the city’s many excellent cafes, restaurants and bars.

Some of Guatemala’s best restaurants can be found in Antigua, with excellent global cuisine as well as traditional and contemporary Guatemalan fare. Eat delicious, budget-friendly street food at the night market or splurge on somewhere elegant and atmospheric. Bring an appetite to Meson Panza Verde , a cozy boutique hotel where creative fusion dishes are made with local ingredients.

For days out of town, wake up early to hike to the nearby Pacaya and Acatenango volcanoes, or wake up late and enjoy a locally grown brunch at Caoba Farms . There's plenty here to fill many days of exploring.

2. Lago de Atitlán

Best for chilling out amidst volcanic scenery

Tucked away deep in the western highlands and framed by three towering volcanoes, Lago de Atitlán is considered by some to be the most spectacular lake in the world. The waters of this deep and mysterious crater lake turn turquoise to deep green to dark blue as the light changes with the time of day and season. Because of its unique beauty, travelers have been known to get stuck here for weeks, months or even years.

Small villages with distinctively different moods surround the lake. Party people should head to San Pedro La Laguna , while those interested in meditation and yoga will love quieter San Marcos La Laguna . Spanish classes are widely available, but the main order of the day is simply chilling by the lakeside and marveling at the wonders of Mother Nature. More energetic activities for those who simply can’t sit still include paragliding, paddle boarding and hiking Volcán San Pedro.

3. Chichicastenango

Best for living Mayan culture

Chichicastenango , aka "Chichi," not only hosts the most impressive Maya market in the country, but it also has deep historical significance. The town served as the main trading center for the Quiché region before the conquistadors arrived, and the tradition of people coming from hill villages to trade continues to this day.

Nestled amidst lush green mountains in the Guatemalan highlands, this sprawling market town fills with traders every Sunday and Thursday, when visitors surge in on day trips from Lago de Atitlán. You'll find a labyrinth of stalls full of local products, carved masks and gorgeous textiles, including the traditional  huipil blouses that Indigenous women weave and wear. Every region has a different style of huipil , and the intricate patterns of natural designs and abstract symbols can take anywhere from three months to a year to weave.

Other goods sold in this atmospheric market include wood carvings, leather goods, pottery and jade, silver and gold jewelry. While you're in Chichicastenango, drop into the small archeological museum , the museum of ceremonial Mayan masks and spend some time people-watching on the incense-cloaked steps of  Iglesia de Santo Tomás .

4. Río Dulce and Livingston

Best for river adventures

The largest lake in Guatemala, Lago Izabal is known for its geothermally heated waterfalls and fringing mangroves teeming with wildlife. The lake empties into the Río Dulce, which runs directly to the town of Lívingston , a busy hub for Garifuna people located on the Caribbean coast. Many travelers stop here en route to the coast and hire a boat to take them down the river.

Río Dulce is hot, humid and lush, and the vibe is surprisingly international, thanks to a string of marinas, restaurants and bars along the river that cater to visiting sailors. Stay at the excellent Tortugal , a boutique guesthouse located on a marina, and let the water lull you to sleep, or take a pickup to stay at one of the more remote, riverside jungle hostels – Hotelito Perdido is a top choice.

5. El Petén and Tikal

Best for Mayan ruins in the rainforest

The Guatemalan department (province) of El Petén is one of the most biodiverse regions in Central America, and this is also where the towering Mayan temples of Tikal are found. The ruins of this ancient city, which rose to the height of its power in the 7th century, are buried deep in the jungle, visited regularly by howler monkeys, coatis, agoutis and tropical birds and cloaked in lush vegetation. It’s worth spending a few days here exploring the region around beautiful, deep-green Lago Petén Itzá.

Several small communities line the water’s edge. The island town of Flores is where most people stay while visiting Tikal, with a good selection of hostels and hotels, fun-filled nightlife and amenities. However, the often-overlooked village of El Remate is another excellent option for those looking for a more tranquil vibe.

El Remate is tiny, but it has a handful of hostels, and it’s on a much better stretch of the lakeshore for swimming. As an added bonus, the village is located closer to Tikal, meaning a quicker journey to the ruins. Check out the long-established Mon Ami hostel and restaurant for lakeside accommodations and lake-fish lunches, and Las Orquideas for delicious Italian food.

Lesser known than Tikal, but equally worthy of a visit, are the ruins of Yahxa, a smaller ceremonial site located between two lakes, which is famed for its epic sunsets. For the more adventurous, five-day jungle treks to El Mirador , the largest Mayan site in Central America, can be arranged through local outfitter Carmelita Tours .

6. Nebaj and the Ixil Triangle

Best for uncrowded hiking trails

The isolated township of Nebaj is located in the remote highlands of the Cuchumatanes Mountains, a region referred to as the Ixil Triangle. It's an excellent hub for hiking off the tourist trail. Visitors can trek through the tallest mountain chain in Central America, traversing verdant peaks and valleys that alternate between subtropical forests and sweeping shrublands.

It’s possible to hike from the Ixil triangle to Todos Santos, a small town famous for its Day of the Dead celebrations every November. Starting from Nebaj, hikes are run twice a month by the excellent Quetzaltrekkers , based out of Quetzaltenango . 

7. Semuc Champey and Lanquín

Best for splashing in jungle pools

With its serene turquoise pools and natural limestone bridge, the national park of Semuc Champey is one of the most beautiful places in Central America. It’s a bit of a challenge to get there, but the trip is well worth the effort to swim and relax while surrounded by tranquil natural beauty.

The pools are pretty remote, and many visitors choose to stay in Lanquín , a village about a 45-minute drive from Semuc Champey, where there are amenities and a handful of excellent hostels. Check out Zephyr Lodge , a popular party hostel with an infinity pool and unrivaled views of the surrounding mountains.

El Retiro Lodge is more relaxed and just as pretty, with simple huts located right beside the river. Day trips to the pools are arranged by both hostels. Alternatively, if you're looking to stay as close to the pools as possible, Greengo’s Hotel has A-frame cabins just a 10-minute walk from the entrance to the park.

8. Laguna Lachuá

Best for escaping the tourist trail

Located in the middle of Parque Nacional Laguna Lachuá , in the coffee- and cardamom-growing region of Alta Verapaz , this idyllic lagoon is quickly gaining traction as one of the country’s best off-the-beaten-track destinations. Reached by a humid 5km (3-mile) hike, this perfectly round, turquoise lake is flanked by interpretive trails, and it's a lovely place to swim.

Visitors can only get to the lagoon after hiking through dense areas of tropical rainforest, home to howler monkeys, tarantulas, colorful birds and flowers. After working up a sweat on the way here, the deep, cool lagoon is the perfect place to dive in, cool off and relax. The park doesn’t have any restaurants, so you'll need to bring your own water and food.

9. Monterrico and El Paredon

Best for black sands and surfing

Monterrico is a popular beachside getaway for Guatemalans, and it offers a fine expanse of black sand where you can relax, swim and watch the most incredible sunsets. By day, take a tour through the protected mangrove forest to see tropical birds and other wildlife or visit the Tortugario Monterrico nature reserve in the evening to help release baby turtles from September to January.

A two-hour drive away, El Paredon is the smaller of the two beaches, but it's becoming increasingly popular thanks to its decent surf breaks and the emergence of some great places to stay, including hippy-chic Swell . Head to this chilled-out beach for a backpacker vibe, easy-going Spanish classes, surfing lessons and socializing at the Driftwood Surfer hostel, which always has something going on every night of the week.

10. Quetzaltenango

Best for relaxing in the highlands

Quetzaltenango , or Xela (pronounced shay-la ) as almost everyone calls it, is a place to linger. A big city with a small-town vibe, Quetzaltenango has pretty cobblestone streets, crumbling colonial buildings and a central park bookended by an ornate cathedral . Many visitors come here to study Spanish, volunteer, or take some serious hikes in the western highlands.

With the high elevation, expect pleasantly cool evenings that are perfect for sitting out in candle-lit bars and restaurants. Spanish students mingle with NGO volunteers, and chatty local residents are happy to help out with verb conjugations. Check out Mandarina on Calle 13-21 for the best lattes and salads in town. Don't leave without trying shecas , a local sweet bread stuffed with either beans, cheese or jam, typically consumed with afternoon coffee.

Sights worth visiting just outside the city include the hot springs tucked into the forest at Fuentes Georginas, Laguna Chicabal – a sacred lake that is often shrouded in mist, reached via a five-hour tramp up a volcano – and the twin volcanoes of Volcáns Santa Maria and Volcán Santiaguito, which can both be visited on a rewarding day hike.

11. Guatemala City 

Best for neighborhood exploring

Guatemala City is Central America’s largest metropolis, and how you experience the city will depend on where you spend your time. For those looking for a soft place to land, Zone 10 is the upscale neighborhood of the city, with wide, tree-lined boulevards full of high-end restaurants, hotels and trendy shops. This is also where you'll find Museo Ixchel , an excellent museum focused on Mayan textiles and weaving.

For a more historic vibe, head to Zone 1, where you will find the Parque Central and the Palacio Nacional de la Cultura , once the home of dictator General Jorge Ubico. The park is popular for street food and occasional live music, or just as a place to sit for a while and watch the city going about its business.

Heading south from Zone 1 is Paseo de la Sexta, a pedestrian-only area studded with cafes, restaurants and shops. Here, you'll find the famous Hotel Pan American , popular with revolutionaries, artists and writers since its construction more than 70 years ago. Across the street from the hotel is the equally famous Portalito, the bar reputedly frequented by Che Guevera whenever he visited Guatemala.

Zone 4 has been transformed from a dicey neighborhood full of abandoned factories into a trendy area with a post-industrial vibe. This part of the city is perfect for digital nomads looking for a hip place to work, and the once dilapidated streets are now alive with colorful street art, art galleries, craft breweries and cafes serving up local beans that have until recently been reserved for export.

This article was first published March 2022 and updated November 2023

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This information was updated on 14th June 2021.

Current Situation

Borders are currently open for all international travel and tourism. Most amenities, touristic sites and shops are open in Guatemala.

Travellers visiting Guatemala must comply with the following requirements:

• Antigen or PCR test, no more than 72 hours before boarding. Any test should be carried out in a laboratory certified by the country of origin.
• If already vaccinated against Covid-19 (two doses), a valid certificate should be presented. The last dose must have been administrated 2 weeks before starting the trip.
• Mandatory use of a mask for people over 2 years of age, except for the passenger who has a certified medical contraindication not to use it.

Children under 10 years of age do not require to get a Covid-19 test.

Foreign travellers who have been in the United Kingdom, South Africa or Brazil in the preceding 14 days, will be restricted from boarding Guatemala-bound flights. The ban is in place until further notice.

This travel ban is not applicable to foreigners who have evidence that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks before arrival in Guatemala and have received two doses (one dose if vaccinated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), Guatemalan nationals, diplomats or foreign nationals who are legal residents in the country.

Those who have travelled within the last 14 days may enter Guatemala but will have to undergo a 10-day quarantine .

It is also worth to mention that due the current wave of infections related to Covid-19 and the identification of new strains, such as the one identified in the United Kingdom, most countries have placed restrictions on travellers incoming from the United Kingdom. These might affect connecting routes and airlines dispositions.

It is important that all passengers comply with the guidelines, rules, regulations and provisions of the Government of Guatemala and the Ministry of Public Health. If you want to learn more, you can find them at the following link: bit.ly/2WWP763 .

Plans to reopen to international tourism

Guatemala’s land, air, and seaports of entry remain open to passenger traffic and international tourism.

Flights from the UK

Currently, there are no direct flights from the UK to Guatemala. Due to the long-haul travel, a connection might be necessary.

Best travel routes to arrive in Guatemala City (La Aurora International) are:

Plans for reopening other entry points

Guatemala’s land, air, and seaports of entry remain open to passenger traffic and international tourism. All national borders, including land, air and maritime are fully functional.

However, it is not yet known when cruises in the country could resume, because both in Guatemala and other countries providers of the service are strained by the effects of the second or third wave of infections of Covid-19, so it’s affecting the cruise tourist sector.

What Covid 19-related safety measures can travellers expect?

It is mandatory to wear a face mask on public spaces in Guatemala. A social distance of 1.5 meters should be practiced at every place.

As a prevention measure, most shops and venues will take the body temperature of every person before being allowed into the premises or local. Antibacterial gel is available in most shops and restaurants.

Most nonessential commercial, leisure, and recreational activities have resumed; however, authorities are likely to maintain the existing four-tier virus risk classification system called “Sanitary Alert System” that stipulates pandemic-related protocols and capacity limits in each tier through early 2021. This system divides the country according to the level of COVID-19 activity in each municipality, ranging from the red level, indicating the highest risk, to the green level, which indicates the lowest. As of Dec. 31, most municipalities are at the yellow level. You can access the dashboard to find the tier at each region: https://covid19.gob.gt/semaforo.html .

The Guatemala Institute of Tourism is updating the situation on every touristic site in the country, which can be revised on the following dashboard: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cTmnJh5vuQ85IV0iZcFGiAPJg1unhfPJ/view .

What other Covid 19-related safety measures would you like to highlight to the trade?

In October, Guatemala joined the list of countries to obtain the Safe Travels Stamp granted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) , after complying with hygiene and sanitation protocols, generating greater confidence for visitors whenever the authorities decide to open tourist destinations.

In  order  to  promote  responsible  tourism  for both, service  providers and national  and international  visitors,  the  Guatemalan  Tourism Board (INGUAT)  has  worked  on  a Touristic Biosafety Stamp ,  which  consists  of  a certification given to  different touristic businesses such  as:  Accommodation  establishments,  tour operators,  transportation, tourist  guides,  travel  agencies, Spanish schools,  marinas; among  others  that  are applying the  Good  Practice  Guides  for  prevention  of  COVID-19  and  other  infections, complying with an established procedure.

These guides were developed by the governing body of tourism with the endorsement of the Ministry of Public Health, as well as the Presidential Commission against COVID-19 (COPRECOVID), as an essential practice and certification in order to prepare for the gradual reactivation of the sector, which included:

• Accommodation Establishments
• Restaurants
• Sales of Crafts, Souvenirs and others
• Tourist Marinas.
• Natural and Adventure Tourist Attractions
• The Meetings and Incentives Industry
• Archaeological Sites and Parks
• Museums and Cultural Centers
• Academies of Teaching Spanish as a Second Language
• Protected Areas
• Travel Agencies
• Tourist Guides
• Transportation
• Tour Operators

You can find more information in the following link: Good Practice Guides (available only in Spanish).

The tourism authority has launched a promotional campaign called #ExperienciasSeguras ( #SafeExperiences ) which seeks to convey confidence in tourists and service providers, through the Biosafety Stamp, promoting a responsible tourism.

Special Assistance for the Tourist. The phone number #1500 is habilitated aiming to provide information and resolving doubts about the application of the guidelines of good sanitary practices made by INGUAT, which have already been endorsed by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance. In addition to answering the Tourist Assistance calls, it will also provide support on the correct application and operation of the good health practice guides against COVID-19.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight to UK agents about travel to your destination in 2020?

Guatemala has the opportunity to appear as an option for post-Covid-19 tourism due to the amount of open natural environments without mass tourism, its authentic and original culture and the efforts of the authorities in the application of sanitary regulations for the safety of the travellers.

Guatemala is characterized by having a great natural variability. The high levels of biodiversity and its complexity are the result of the interaction of two important prehistoric events: the migration from north to south due to the closure of the Central American isthmus, and altitudinal migrations as a result of climatic changes related to glaciations.

The ecological diversity of the country has been affected by altitude variations ranging from sea level up to 4,000 meters above sea level, which has also resulted in a greater diversity of ecosystems. It has in its records more than 10,300 species of plants (15% endemic to the country), around 650 species of fish, more than 190 species of mammals and approximately 720 species of birds. The great majority of endemic species to the country are restricted to mountainous regions, in which coniferous forests predominate.

Trends in outdoor activities and nature tourism trips are on the rise. The growing concern about the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, etc.), the stress of living in congested cities, overcrowded and being locked up after a pandemic; They have resulted in an increase in the interest of doing physical activities outdoors.

Contact details

Pedro Gordillo

First Secretary and Consul

Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala in the United Kingdom

[email protected]

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Guatemala Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 17, 2023, guatemala - level 3: reconsider travel.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Reconsider travel to Guatemala due to  crime . Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do not travel to:

• San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos) due to  crime .
• Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango) due to  crime .
• Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City due to  crime .

Country Summary:  Violent crime such as extortion, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, narcotics trafficking and gang activity are common in Guatemala. Local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to criminal incidents resulting in a low arrest and conviction rate. Guatemala’s National Tourist Assistance Program ( PROATUR ) provides 24-hour emergency assistance and routine guidance to tourists. PROATUR also provide additional security in locations frequented by tourists. The call center is staffed with Spanish and English speakers and can be reached 24/7 by calling 1500 or +502-2290-2800.

U.S. government personnel and family members are prohibited from traveling to/throughout the above-mentioned areas for personal travel but are permitted to travel throughout the rest of Guatemala, including tourist destinations such as Tikal, Antigua, Lake Atitlán, and Pacific coast areas in the Santa Rosa and Escuintla Departments.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Guatemala.

If you decide to travel to Guatemala:

• When traveling to Lake Atitlán, use certified tourist providers and travel between villages on the lakeshore by chartered boat, as perimeter paths pose a serious crime risk and are not easily accessible by emergency services. Hiking in the area, while popular, is best undertaken with the assistance of a local guide to ensure safety, as criminals are known to target some routes.
• When visiting Pacific coast beaches and resorts in the Santa Rosa and Escuintla Departments, arrange travel through hotel, resort, or charter agents. We recommend traveling to and from hotels, resorts, and fishing charters via road from Guatemala City during daylight hours only.
• Visitors are strongly advised to avoid swimming in the Pacific Ocean, since currents and undertows are strong, and beaches lack adequate lifeguards or emergency response.
• Visitors should not leave drinks unattended in bars and restaurants and are advised to decline invitations from strangers to private parties or gatherings.
• Consider staying in hotels or other lodging facilities that offer secure parking, doormen, and a dedicated and professional security staff.
• Request security escorts, which are available for tourist groups, from the Guatemalan Tourism Institute ( INGUAT ).
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking or driving at night.
• Do take radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT-approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand at the airport, hotel taxis, vetted private drivers, and/or Uber.
• Do not take public transportation, including white car taxis. U.S. government personnel and their family members are prohibited from using these forms of transportation.
• Do not attempt to hike walking trails or volcanoes without the services of a qualified local guide. Robberies are commonplace, and emergency response is lacking.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Do not use public ATMs.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry, and avoid using mobile devices in public.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts while in Guatemala and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Guatemala.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

San Marcos Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel

All U.S. government personnel and family members are prohibited from traveling to San Marcos Department for personal travel, except for the city of San Marcos. Narcotics trafficking is widespread, and large portions of the department are under the influence of drug trafficking organizations. Several municipalities lack police presence, and local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Avoid areas outside of major roads and highways. Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Huehuetenango Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel

All U.S. government personnel and family members are prohibited from traveling to Huehuetenango Department for personal travel, except for the city of Huehuetenango. Narcotics trafficking is widespread, and large portions of the department are under the influence of drug trafficking organizations. Several municipalities lack police presence, and local police may lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents. Avoid areas outside of major roads and highways.

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Zone 18 and Villa Nueva within the Guatemala Department – Level 4: Do Not Travel

U.S. government personnel and family members are free to travel within Guatemala City except for zone 18 and the municipality of Villa Nueva. The following zones in Guatemala City are of elevated concern due to crime: 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 19, 21, and 24. U.S. citizens should take appropriate security measures when traveling to and from the airport such as only using vetted transportation services, not displaying valuables or other signs of wealth, refraining from using mobile devices in public, and not lingering outside the airport. U.S. citizens are advised not to hail white-car taxis on the street in Guatemala City. Use radio-dispatched taxis (Taxi Amarillo), INGUAT-approved taxis from the “SAFE” stand at the airport, hotel taxis, vetted private drivers, or Uber.

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• Open access
• Published: 20 September 2018

Government roles in regulating medical tourism: evidence from Guatemala

• Ronald Labonté   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0615-740X 1 , 5 ,
• Valorie A. Crooks 2 ,
• Alejandro Cerón Valdés 3 ,
• Vivien Runnels 1 &
• Jeremy Snyder 4  

International Journal for Equity in Health volume  17 , Article number:  150 ( 2018 ) Cite this article

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Regulation of the medical tourism and public health sectors overlap in many instances, raising questions of how patient safety, economic growth, and health equity can be protected. The case of Guatemala is used to explore how the regulatory challenges posed by medical tourism should be dealt with in countries seeking to grow this sector.

We conducted a qualitative case study of the medical tourism sector in Guatemala, through reviews and analyses of policy documents and media reports, key informant interviews ( n  = 50), and facility site-visits.

Key informants were critical of the absence of effective public regulation of the emerging medical tourism sector, noting several regulatory gaps and the importance of filling them. These informants specifically expressed that: 1) The government should regulate medical tourism in Guatemala, thought there was disagreement as to which government sector should do so and how; 2) The government has not at this time regulated the medical tourism sector nor shown great interest in doing so; and 3) International accreditation could be used to augment domestic regulation.

Conclusions

The intersection of domestic and international regulation of medical tourism has been largely unexplored. This case study advances new research in this area. It highlights the need for and dearth of regulatory protections in Guatemala and lessons for other, similarly situated countries. National regulatory models from Israel and Barbados could be adapted to the Guatemalan context. Global governance could help to protect national governments from any competitive disadvantages created by regulation. Underlying the concerns over growth in medical tourism, however, is how it contributes to the ongoing privatization of health care facilities worldwide. This trend risks undermining efforts to reach targets for Universal Health Coverage and exacerbating existing inequities in the global distribution of health and wealth.

Medical tourism remains an industry that is predominantly a commercial response to a demand or health care driven by consumers. We use the term ‘medical tourism’ in a somewhat restrictive fashion: the self-selected decision of individuals to seek medical care in a foreign country. We thus exclude from our consideration ill and injured vacationers, expats living much of their time abroad and intermittently needing medical care, and publicly-insured cross-border care initiated or approved by governments, generally due to lack of or undersupply within their own borders. While robust data with regard to medical tourism is hard to come by, the medical tourism industry lays claim to significant growth in recent years, and associated with this growth a promise of economic benefit. This benefit is arguably the key driver of medical tourism on the supply side, and is recognized as such by many countries seeking to develop or expand this offshoring sector [ 1 , 2 ]. Not only are many national governments supportive of medical tourism, they are also often investors in this sector [ 3 , 4 ].

Although medical tourism can help to fill unmet health care access needs for citizens of smaller countries lacking higher-end treatment facilities, it has also been criticized for poor safety standards and infection control, and provision of illegal, unethical, or questionable procedures [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. This raises health and safety concerns as well as ethical ones; as a 2013 United Kingdom (UK) study noted, there is “currently no guidance or regulation on risk or safety for UK residents who consider travelling abroad for treatment” [ 8 ]. Others point out that there is a “lack of robust clinical governance arrangements and quality assurance procedures in provider organisations” [ 9 ]. A decade ago the situation was summed up succinctly: regulation to protect medical tourists’ health is needed [ 10 ]; while governments offering such services need to regulate the industry “to ensure the net effects for their [own] citizens is positive” [ 11 ]. Regulation here, and as we use the term throughout this article, refers to any form of enforceable government measure “designed to influence business or social behaviour” extending to rules governing “all forms of social or economic influences” [ 12 ]; as well as to voluntary or self-regulated systems. The primary areas in which medical tourism and governmental (public) health care regulation intersect include:

• Education and regulation of health professionals, with concerns that both of these may be sub-standard in destination countries to those in countries of international patients [ 13 ],

• Changes in a destination country’s accreditation systems to accommodate internationally trained providers working in medical tourism facilities could lower qualification standards [ 14 , 15 ].

• Accreditation of health care facilities, with concerns over inadequate governmental standards, or of government oversight [ 16 ] of the over 40 private international accreditation bodies [ 17 ].

• Provision of services that are illegal in the international patient’s home country, and/or are unproven or ineffective treatments [ 18 , 19 ].

• The role of unregulated or self-regulated intermediary medical tourism services, such as medical tourism brokers, on-line sites, or specialized training programs or certifications in medical tourism that exist outside of publicly regulated professions [ 20 ].

• Potential lack of legal redress in cases of alleged medical malpractice, where destination countries may have no, or inadequate, means for international patients to pursue claims [ 21 , 22 ].

• Lack of requirements for the full sharing of medical files/records, either by the international patient on departure, or by the medical tourism provider on the patient’s return [ 6 , 23 ].

• Poor oversight of the potential spread of extreme drug resistant or antimicrobial resistant infections that international patients may return with, which can then spread to health care facilities in their home country especially if they require follow-up care [ 24 ].

• The intersect between national-level policies and regulations (or lack thereof) and international law, notably core human rights obligations that require governments to ensure that privatization of health markets (including those for medical tourism) or actions of third parties (such as medical tourism brokers) do not interfere with the right of national citizens to health care and health-related services [ 25 , 26 ].

As part of a multi-country study of the health equity impacts of medical tourism in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region, in this article we examine how different stakeholder groups considered government regulation in one of our case-study countries (Guatemala), which has been attempting in recent years to ‘grow’ this health care sector.

We begin this article by providing some context on our case-study country and then outline our study methods. We next present findings from our study pertinent to issues of regulation, touching on many of the themes identified from the broader literature and some of our earlier studies (above). We conclude with some of the transferable implications of the Guatemalan case for other governments growing this offshoring health care sector, before making an argument for the importance of locating future research on the health equity implications of medical tourism (including studies on regulation) within a political economy and global governance framework.

Guatemala is a poor country, ranking low on the Human Development Index (125th out of 188 countries) [ 27 ] with a per capita GNI of $3,790 [ 28 ], or US$7,297 when adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) [ 29 ], a commonly employed international comparator. Although this puts Guatemala in the World Bank’s grouping of lower-middle income countries [ 28 ], it has comparatively high levels of inequality and poverty for the Latin American and Caribbean region [ 30 ]. Guatemala has a 2013 Gini coefficient for income distribution of 0.59, indicative of grossly inequitable distribution at a scale associated with increased risk of political and economic instability [ 31 ].

Guatemala’s poverty and inequality are reflected in the country’s total per capita expenditure on health, which stood at $476 (Intl $) in 2014 [ 29 ]. Approximately 17.8% (2014) of government expenditure is on health, a low amount compared against international and regional levels [ 32 ], and accounts for just 2.3% of GDP. Private health expenditure, by contrast, accounts for 3.9% of GDP, of which 83.7% is out-of-pocket [ 33 ]. Guatemala’s private health sector is noted as being highly unregulated and fragmented while its public health sector is under-resourced with unequally distributed delivery of services [ 33 ]. It has a low density of health human resources, with most physicians located in the urban areas of Guatemala City. Indigenous peoples experience higher levels of poverty and lower access to health care than the non-Indigenous population [ 30 , 33 ].

Although facing issues in ensuring a reasonable level of domestic health care access, Guatemala is also one of the more recent countries in the region to begin promoting its medical tourism sector. Private organizations including hospitals, hotels, health professionals, and others have organized to form medical tourism clusters [ 34 ], and have linked to other organizations with interests in trade, tourism, and medical tourism sectors, such as the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (AGEXPORT) [ 33 ]. At present the number of medical tourists seeking care in Guatemala is reported to be low, with no facilities as yet focusing solely, or even primarily, on international medical patients; plans for this expansion, however, have been mooted [ 33 ]. Many current Guatemalan medical tourists are from the diaspora, with additional patients coming from proximate countries in the region, although medical tourism providers are keen to attract non-diaspora international patients from the United States (US) and Canada. Individual private care facilities, currently serving primarily local patients (insured or, more often, paying out of pocket) are looking to medical tourism to fill unused capacity [ 35 , 36 ], similar to how medical tourism developed in Thailand [ 4 ], and what we noted during site-visits in India [ 33 , 37 ]. Some newer Guatemalan facilities have business models premised on increasing international patient flows to levels far exceeding current numbers, raising questions about sustainability of the industry [ 34 , 35 ].

This analysis contributes to an exploratory case study that examined potential and realized impacts of the development of medical tourism in the LAC region on health equity (with a focus on public and private health care, health human resources, investment, and domestic government involvement). Our case study included reviews and analyses of policy documents and media reports pertaining to Guatemala’s growing sector [ 33 ], which provided detailed contextual information on the country’s health system (reported above), and its limited forays into medical tourism development, but focused extensively on key informant interviews and health care facility site-visits.

Working in partnership with local research collaborators, recruitment of key informants for interviews was undertaken using a purposeful strategy with a focus on identifying information-rich perspectives. Potential participants were identified through media searches, reviews of relevant policy documents, and through the networks of our local non-governmental organization collaborator. Following the design of the multi-country study, we sought target numbers of key informants from each of five sectors identified as having interests in medical tourism: health human resources representatives (e.g. medical educators, health workers) from both public and private universities and health care sectors ( n  = 15), government representatives responsible for promoting medical tourism and/or regulating health systems (e.g. policy officials) ( n  = 15), public sector representatives (e.g. hospital administrators, tourism planners) promoting or potentially impacted by growth in the medical tourism sector ( n  = 15), private sector representatives (e.g., private clinic owners, private investment consultants, medical tourism investors) with economic interest in growth in the medical tourism sector ( n  = 15), and civil society representatives (e.g., community groups, media representatives) engaged in consultations and/or reporting on medical tourism development in terms of its economic or health equity outcomes ( n  = 15). To protect anonymity in the context of a focused study with s small, saturated sample, we do not provide a further breakdown of participants to avoid identifying individuals.

A total of 50 in-person semi-structured interviews were conducted over a seven-month period, June to December 2013. Our background contextual study [ 33 ] was used to identify areas were we could probe deeper for elaboration of responses to our interview schedule. Participants were recruited by phone or e-mail as appropriate and were identified following our review of relevant policy and media documents as well as reviews of human resources profiles for publicly-accessible agencies. All interviews were conducted in the cities of Antigua Guatemala or Guatemala City, which are the focus of medical tourism sector development in the country. Interviews lasted 45–90 min and were conducted in Spanish by a research associate and research assistant hired by our local collaborator. The interview guide was semi-structured and pertained a series of questions common across all participants as well as questions that relate to specific areas of domain expertise. Questions elicited stakeholders’ views/perspectives on issues pertaining to the health equity concerns of focus, including on domestic governments’ roles in regulating medical tourism.

All interviews were digitally recorded. Upon completion they were translated into and transcribed in English. Upon completion the interviews being simultaneously transcribed-translated into English. Our on-site collaborators oversaw this process to ensure the integrity of the transcripts, and served as a reference point for the transcriptionists when assistance was needed. Interview texts were thematically coded and analyzed for descriptive findings related to the roles and implications of government in the regulation of medical tourism. Numerous rounds of independent transcript review, coding extract review, and team meetings were conducted in order to confirm the coding scheme, scope of this analysis, and interpretation of the findings.

Qualitative rigour in this study was established through investigators’ familiarity with the Guatemalan context and the interview transcripts. There was team discussion and agreement on the interpretation of the participants’ perspectives presented in this paper. Throughout the study, investigators maintained a critical and reflective perspective on data interpretation in order that investigator knowledge and standpoints did not skew the participants’ perspectives reported in the paper. Team leaders also took multiple steps to share findings and invited critical feedback and commentary from a wide variety of audiences. The study protocol was ethically approved by ethics review boards at both Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, and University of Ottawa, Ontario.

In our multi-country study of medical tourism in the LAC region, Guatemala is one of the countries that provided considerable data related to issues associated with regulating medical tourism. It is more of a negative case, insofar that our key informants were critical of the current absence of effective public regulation, noting several gaps and the importance of filling them. Some of the regulatory gaps they describe exist within the public health system as well as affecting the private medical tourism sector, suggesting a weak overall health care regulatory regime within the country.

Government should regulate medical tourism in Guatemala

Informants were in widespread agreement that it was government’s responsibility to regulate medical tourism in terms of accreditation of facilities. Private sector actors and those involved in the industry itself, however, tended to favour self-regulation over government intervention once facilities were approved. Moreover, the question of which government sector should be responsible for what aspects of regulation remained moot. One government official maintained that overall government responsibility for the regulation of medical tourism should rest with the Ministry of Economy, since medical tourism lies within the private business sector:

…Every private establishment of health and every clinic [offering medical tourism]…should have permission and mercantile registrations if they are big hospitals, and all those types of things that are regulated by the Ministry of Economy. The technical (health) part (is) the responsibility of the Health Ministry and its directorate of regulation, surveillance and control of health, and its department of regulation of health establishments, [and they] should generate all the process of the establishment’s accreditations, and generate permissions so that the establishments can operate, [with] constant supervision and monitoring.

The Ministry of Health thus retains certain regulatory authority over medical tourism relative to professional licensure, facilities accreditation, and monitoring of services for health care quality control. This separation of the business or trade regulatory side of medical tourism from that of the health care regulation, as one private health care provider noted, can advantage medical tourism sector developers in terms of obtaining promotional support from non-health affiliated ministries, such as the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of External Relations. It was thought inappropriate (if not politically unwise) for a health ministry in a poor country with an underfunded public health system to be seen promoting a private sector system serving wealthier international patients.

Opinion on this division of regulatory responsibilities, however, was itself divided, with one health professional clearly expressing that “medical tourism is not a physician business, it’s a corporate business” while another was adamant that “It [the Ministry of Health] should be regulating the whole system including the private sector.” Some informants further suggested that the costs of procedures charged to medical tourists should also be regulated by the health ministry.

Regardless of which branch of government should lead on medical tourism regulation, opinion on the importance of such regulation was a frequent refrain. One of the principle reasons was to ensure quality service to international patients, partly because, as this health professional stated, “someone can come have a surgery with anyone, have a complication and never come back.” According to this informant, to avoid this the Guatemalan government must have clearer rules as to “who can and who can’t treat these patients.” Secondly, as one public health professional voiced a concern expressed by several others, government regulation was important “not just because of the sanitary [safety/quality] topic, but also because of the taxes.” As this informant went on to explain, medical tourism needs to be “done right, for the benefit of the country” , noting that “these people [international patients, medical tourism facilities] are taking - actually using - the infrastructure of the country: airport, services, etc.” Taxation measures, it was argued, were one essential measure that could ensure that medical tourism is giving something back to citizens of the country.

But there is a lack of effective regulation

While informants made clear the need for government regulation of the medical tourism sector, they also noted Guatemala’s lack of interest in prioritizing regulation: “This role isn’t and, historically it hasn’t been, a priority for governments.” Frequent change of officials or ruling parties in Guatemala was also seen as stalling any forward movement on regulatory reform. Informants further reported on the general disorganization of the Guatemalan health system, including weak regulation in the public health sector, “a total deficiency of regulation”, with implications for whether, or how well, regulation might extend to the medical tourism sector . The poor state of health regulation in Guatemala, generally, prompted one health system expert informant to suggest that it is creating a free-for-all for private health care development, including medical tourism: “The Ministry has been…weak as to regulating itself in the services it provides and to regulate the private sector in the health field…everyone wins from whatever they want.”

In response to being asked “is there a possibility for medical tourism to grow without regulation?” another informant drew on examples of other of the country’s regulated industries:

Yes, without a doubt…it would be like the telephone companies or the credit card companies or insurance companies where they have minimum regulations and they do whatever they want. And since we are talking about commercial conditions not the conditions of the services provided or the quality of the services, of course anything can grow here.

This ‘anything goes’ sense of regulatory indifference to or ineffectiveness of private health sector regulation is also seen as an outcome of incoherence within how health regulations come about within the country. As a government official noted:

The legal part that constructs the health system in the country [is] …complicated because… new legislation, policies, and rules get added… sometimes…contrary to rules and regulations that already exist. This generates conflict in the operational part because everyone looks out for themselves and they say ‘the law says this or the law says that.’

As the above quote suggests, Guatemala’s chaotic legislative system creates contradicting rules that can be ignored or selectively invoked, allowing medical tourism to grow unimpeded by the few health care regulations that might apply. Despite some concern expressed about this confusing state of “over-regulation in some elements,” there was also an observed lack of regulation in other important components of health care (e.g. training of health human resources, institutional standard setting, and practices) which have direct relevance to medical tourism facilities. As a health system expert informant noted, there is a pressing need for an overhaul of legislation, and subsequent enforcement:

Universities that “produce” human resources for health should come up with a vision and a system for accreditation, regulation, and certification because the tendency in the country is that new schools of medicine and new schools of nursing are opened, but none of them is measured by any existing standards. Because those standards do not exist.

This statement refers to the post-2000 growth in new private medical and nurse training institutions; most physicians still graduate from the public university [ 33 ], although competition from private facilities has begun to challenge the public system’s educational dominance.

Regulation or international accreditation?

Informants implicitly made distinctions between national (governmental) regulation, which would include accreditation of facilities and training programs, and international accreditation, primarily for health care facilities trying to attract international patients and the qualifications of the medical staff working there. Most emphasized the importance of international accreditation as a demonstration of the quality standards of care, which they saw as important in the promotion of medical tourism. As one government official said:

People who come here for the first time on their own, expect more guarantees for the medical service… And the first thing…is the qualification of the medical staff. So the international recognition of the doctors and the institutions are really important, this international recognition is given throughout accreditations, like the Joint Commission [International] for health services, or any other accrediting organization. And this is the first variable that the client from another country will look at.

The high cost of international facility accreditation was also acknowledged, but was seen as a necessary investment to promote sustainable growth in medical tourism, as a health professional working in this sector in Guatemala explained:

If you want to get accredited, you will have to spend some money, you will have to make an investment, but you will have a better clinic, you will have something better to give the people. And this will reflect because people will come more. This way we will be able to grab that market. But if you are not accredited, which is the international norm, how can you do it? [G]etting accredited is very expensive and it takes a very long time [but] the expensive thing is not to pay for the [accreditation].

Even accepting that the costs of international accreditation were simply the price of admission into the global medical tourism marketplace, there remained some worry over the implications for health equity within Guatemala itself. As one of our local health professionals cautioned: “If you focus too much on meeting the international standards, you might leave behind what matters in your own country; because you don’t worry about things that happen here.”

Our informants considered it government’s responsibility to prepare and coordinate the conditions for medical tourism, including provision of regulatory structures to ensure the quality, safety, and sustainability of this health care sector. Although the Guatemalan government is reportedly interested in supporting medical tourism for economic development purposes, informants expressed concern that its involvement and support for the health care side of the industry was limited. Informants’ views of the government’s roles in public health regulation generally offered little assurance that Guatemala would soon initiate actions in any of the problematic regulatory areas intersecting medical tourism and public health care, as outlined in our Introduction.

Guatemala is not alone in this regard. Findings from our other studies exploring medical tourism sector development in the LAC region have demonstrated similar tension between the potential for regulation and the will to actually regulate, including in Barbados [ 14 ], Jamaica [ 38 ], St. Lucia [ 39 ], and Cayman Islands [ 40 ]. Although our Guatemalan informants generally recognized the need for governments to regulate public health care, opinions on regulation of medical tourism were mixed. Government informants argued that private medical tourism facilities should be regulated in the same fashion as public health facilities. Those working in the private medical tourism sector were content with government licensing of their facilities, and fiscal incentives to grow the industry, but otherwise preferred self-regulation. Although some working in this sector believed that international accreditation (e.g. through JCI [Joint Commission International] a private sector accreditation body, [ 41 ]), would be an important signal of high quality care, others remained more sceptical of the value of such accreditation.

National governance (regulatory) models

There are nonetheless national regulatory models that could be adopted in Guatemala, or other countries pursuing medical tourism. One example is Israel, with a mixed public/private system that reportedly receives 30,000 medical tourists annually, mostly from Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Cyprus [ 42 ]. This practice raised domestic complaints commonly heard in other countries developing this industry: that the fees charged international patients are higher than those paid by Israeli citizens, potentially encouraging hospitals to preference such patients over locals. In May 2017, Israel passed legislation to prevent this. Although still wanting to increase medical tourism for the revenues and foreign currency it brings, it has now imposed several regulatory requirements:

• Care for Israelis must not be harmed, and should ideally improve.

• Income generated through medical tourism (including taxation revenues) will be directed to strengthening the public health system.

• Hospitals must develop data monitoring systems for governments to track the economic activities of hospitals providing care to international patients, to ensure revenues are remitted to the state, as well as monitoring the quality of care received by international patients.

• Limits will be set on the number of international patients each hospital can treat based on waiting times and capacities.

• Intermediaries promoting or brokering medical tourism services must register and abide a list of required policies and practices [ 43 ].

How successful such regulations prove in achieving their intent is for future study; but prima facie they address many of the regulatory concerns posed by researchers and health care scholars noted in the introduction to this article. Our research in other LAC region countries, notably Barbados, which is in a similarly early phase of medical tourism development to Guatemala [ 44 ], has identified other potential regulatory directions. For example, our focus groups with Barbadian lawyers about the legal and regulatory implications of an expanded medical tourism sector in that country showed the importance of taking measures with regard to immigration law, physician licensing, corporate ownership structures, and reputational protection.

A difference between Barbados and Guatemala, however, and between both LAC region countries and Israel, is the capacity of their respective governments to legislate and enforce regulatory measures. There are inevitably costs associated with establishing and funding new regulatory regimes [ 45 ]. Such a regime could be financed through taxes on medical tourism (Israel’s policy), but this would then require governments ideologically committed to regulatory reform. This may be difficult for a country like Guatemala, and for two reasons.

First, and notwithstanding the ‘pink tide’ of governments in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and now in some retreat [ 46 ], the LAC region spent years under pro-liberalization and pro-privatization structural adjustment programs and largely embraced neoliberal economic policies associated with the past several decades of globalization [ 47 , 48 ]. It is hard to discuss regulatory reform without addressing the political economy choices governments have made (or had thrust upon them) in the past, and which can strongly condition their future. Second, and paralleling the first, Guatemala is just one of several countries in the LAC region wanting to attract international medical patients. If none of the other countries similarly pursue regulation of the sector along the lines proposed by Israel (which adds costs all round, including to providers), Guatemala’s ‘good behaviour’ (should it adopt regulations like Israel’s) is likely to disadvantage it competitively.

Global governance of medical tourism

That whole regions are now in competition with each other in medical tourism begs the question: is there a need for, or possibilities of, effective systems of global-level governance to ensure that (a) medical tourists are treated well, (b) local citizens’ health care access improves, and (c) the allocation of economic benefits of medical tourism disproportionately improves the incomes of poorer, marginalized populations, as called for in the 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals [ 49 ]? There is little disagreement amongst academic scholars that regulating medical tourism at a global level would be preferable to a patchwork of national initiatives. The case for international accreditation standards for medical tourism facilities and practice has been well made and a number of prescriptions argued, including oversight by a major international or intergovernmental body [ 50 ]. Existing national governance structures and legal frameworks on treatment and care standards would then need to be harmonized with internationally agreed upon quality standards, and enforced and maintained within countries for both public and private providers [ 51 ].

There has been some suggestion of a new global governance platform for medical tourism (under UN, World Health Organization, or World Tourism Organization auspices) to develop international codes of practice or a framework convention based on a review of best regulatory practices [ 52 ]. Although such an effort might hold normative power, even if crafted as a legal treaty (e.g. as a framework convention) rather than as a voluntary code, it would still lack sanctioning penalties. It would also require a large number of countries to want such a binding governance instrument. Such an effort would also have to grapple with a number of contradictions between existing international treaties. Guatemala, for example, has made health services liberalization and investment protection commitments under a number of different treaties [ 33 ], with such commitments contradicting obligations all countries have under international human rights obligations, including the right to health [ 53 ]. Although the right to health is also part of Guatemala’s national constitution (and justiciable by its own courts), the fulfilment of this right is undermined by the parlous state of public health financing, on the one hand, and by apparent governmental indifference, on the other, with one of our informants complaining that: “In reality the State responds to personal interests (rather) than to the right to health…”.

Limitations

One important limitation in our study is that many participants were providing forward-looking comments in that medical tourism is nascent and still very limited in Guatemala. In other words, they were discussing anticipated concerns, issues, and benefits as opposed to realized ones. Capturing these forward-looking comments, however, is very useful, as they provide important insight for interventions that can offset anticipated harms; while identifying barriers and enablers to health-equity oriented regulatory regimes.

Guatemalan attempts to grow its medical tourism sector appears at this time to be largely in a regulatory vacuum. Few if any of the of the health equity concerns raised by existing literature appear have been addressed by the country, with informants not terribly sanguine that they will be in any short term. This does not minimize their recognition of the importance for such regulation, a concern for many of them that includes regulation of the public health sector as well.

The primary role of regulation is to serve the public. In the context of medical tourism, this extends to three primary ‘publics’: the international patient, the citizens of the destination country, and the citizens of the international patient’s source country. As has been noted by others, it is imperative for Guatemala and for other nations engaged in developing this sector, to give medical tourism much needed regulatory attention:

The rapid developments in medical tourism demands have left the policing and legislation behind. It would be imperative for this legislation to catch up in order to protect the vulnerable that are unable to make well-informed research-based decisions [ 10 ].

In a global context in which governance of international trade and financial liberalization is strong, and global governance for health is undeveloped, the international trade regime might attenuate some of the policy options national governments can or should be able to pursue to improve regulation of health care within their own borders [ 54 , 55 , 56 ].

The intersection of domestic and international regulation of medical tourism has been largely unexplored. We contend that in advancing new research is this area, there is a need for studies and analyses to incorporate a critical political economy approach. A political economy analysis of medical tourism, for example, would draw attention to how global inequalities in wealth and income distribution create incentives for international patients to seek care abroad, often with little regard for its distributional impact on others. This is more obvious in cases of ethically or legally dubious practices (notably organ harvesting and transplantation) where the wealth of one intersects with the poverty of others, and the pecuniary interests of third-party private providers or foreign currency-hungry governments, is creating outcomes that are inequitable by almost any metric. There are more nuanced aspects to the ethics and economics of many other facets of medical tourism (e.g. fertility or surrogacy tourism, abortion tourism, or simply the ‘crowding out’ of general public health care access); but this is not the place to entertain a deep discussion of these concerns.

It is sufficient to issue a caution that underlying medical tourism is the slow privatization of medical care facilities worldwide [ 57 ]. Whether directly owned and outside of any public system, or part of the ‘public-private partnership’ models that have been promoted as short-term fixes for governments’ shortfalls in public revenues, the driving force of such privatization is capital accumulation for the shareholders or managerial class of transnational provider corporations or investment funds [ 58 ]. What is left unstated is that scarcity in government revenues incentivizing such developments is an outcome of several decades of global tax competition and the privatization of public assets, eviscerating the ability of most governments to provide equitably for public goods such as public health care [ 47 , 58 ].

Much of the global health policy attention is now focused on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and likely will be as the Sustainable Development Goals slowly wind down to their 2030 endpoint. UHC remains a problematic construct that has considerably less political teeth than the more assertive 1978 Alma Ata Declaration on Primary Health Care that UHC has come to eclipse [ 59 ]. More policy time is now spent debating how UHC might be financed to minimize the impoverishing out-of-pocket payments, including for many of the citizens in Guatemala, than how health systems can achieve health equitable outcomes incorporating policy changes affecting not only medical care, but also the social determinants of health [ 60 ]. But unless, and until, the upwards distribution of global wealth (global economic product) from public citizens to private owners is reversed, along with the steep and ongoing decline in overall tax rates that governments apply to economic activities, it is unlikely that the medical tourism (or broader health system) regulatory shortcomings in countries like Guatemala will be resolved.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the deep involvement of Dr. Rory Johnston in this analysis. He was involved in assisting with study design and led data coding. We also acknowledge the assistance of Neville Li, who worked as a research coordinator on this project.

This research was supported in part by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Operating Grant funding (application #257739). RL holds a Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in Globalization and Health Equity. VAC was funded by a Scholar Award from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research and holds the Canada Research Chair in Health Service Geographies. The funding bodies have no involvement in the design of the study, the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, nor in the writing of the manuscript.

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VR and RL conceived the paper and analyzed the data for this paper. VR RL, RJ, JS and VAC contributed to the study design. AC conducted interviews. AC, VAC and RL conducted observational clinic/hospital visits. VAC oversaw data coding. RL, VAC and VR drafted the paper. JS and AC revised the paper. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Labonté, R., Crooks, V.A., Valdés, A.C. et al. Government roles in regulating medical tourism: evidence from Guatemala. Int J Equity Health 17 , 150 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-018-0866-1

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The Pulse of Latin America

Bernardo Arévalo’s Cabinet: President-elect Introduces the New Ministers of Guatemala.

On Monday, the president-elect, Bernardo Arévalo, and the vice president-elect, Karin Herrera, presented the Government Cabinet that will accompany them starting January 14.

The elected pair, composed of Bernardo Arévalo and Karin Herrera, unveiled on January 8, 2024, the government cabinet that will be with them from January 14 when they assume the presidency and vice-presidency of Guatemala, respectively.

Juntos, con las manos firmemente comprometidas en cada proyecto, forjaremos un país que progresa hacia la justicia social. Guatemala, ¡te presentamos a #TuGabinete ! ?? pic.twitter.com/38ohYsyB4z — Bernardo Arévalo (@BArevalodeLeon) January 8, 2024

The event took place at the Chamber Theater of the Miguel Ángel Asturias Cultural Center, where they announced the names of individuals who will lead the 14 ministries of Guatemala and some key positions in the government, such as secretaries.

Conoce a #TuGabinete ?? pic.twitter.com/VJXk4gXLgV — Bernardo Arévalo (@BArevalodeLeon) January 8, 2024

The ministers who will assume office on January 14 are:

Ministry of Governance: Francisco Jiménez Irungaray

He served as Minister of Governance during the presidency of Álvaro Colom. He has dedicated himself to working on issues of citizen security and peacebuilding, specializing in Civil Intelligence for crime combat and social conflict management. He has advised international organizations on security matters. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy, and a doctorate in Philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Italy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Carlos Ramiro Martínez

He is a career diplomat and served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Alejandro Giammattei’s government during Pedro Brolo’s tenure. He has accompanied Arévalo on trips during the transition period. He is a career ambassador and a professional internationalist, representing Guatemala as an ambassador in various countries worldwide. He has worked on issues related to development, citizen security, and Central American integration.

Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure, and Housing: Jazmín de la Vega de Furlán

She is an architect with master’s degrees in evaluation, control, and environmental law. The presidential pair states that she has been selected for her capacity and experience in both the public and private sectors in the construction and development of infrastructure.

Ministry of Education: Anabella Giracca

She holds a degree in Literature and Philosophy and is a national writer who has dedicated her life to working for the country’s education. It was mentioned in the presentation that she has coordinated programs for the training of school teachers in the interior of the country and was the general coordinator of the Bilingual Literacy Program of Rafael Landivar University and USAID. She serves as an advisor to the Academy of Mayan Languages and is the director of the Institute of Linguistics and Interculturality at Rafael Landívar University.

Junto a @KarinHerreraVP , estamos muy complacidos de presentar #TuGabinete , que nos acompañará en la misión de transformar Guatemala y de hacerla un país en el que sus pueblos podamos vivir con dignidad. #GuatemalaAvanza a partir del 14 de enero, y avanza con todas y todos. Te… — Bernardo Arévalo (@BArevalodeLeon) January 8, 2024

Ministry of National Defense: Henry Sáenz Ramos

He is a Brigadier General with master’s degrees in Resource and Technology Management and another in Public Security. He holds a doctorate in Security and Defense. It is mentioned that he has had an impeccable career within the armed forces of Guatemala.

Ministry of Public Finance: Jonathan Menkos

Jonathan Menkos was elected as a deputy for the Movimiento Semilla party, and to become a minister, he will need to request permission from the full Congress. He is an economist who served as the director of the Central American Institute of Fiscal Studies (Icefi). The information from the new government mentions that he has 25 years of experience in the study of public finances and economics. He is a specialist in development with a focus on Human Rights. He is an economist from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala, holds a master’s degree in Government and Public Policies in Latin America, and also a Postgraduate in Quantitative Methods from the Bank of Guatemala.

Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare: Miriam Roquel

She is a lawyer with a master’s degree in Human Rights. She has worked in defense of women and indigenous peoples. She has served as a public defender and worked as the first deputy attorney of the Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office. She holds a master’s degree in Human Rights and has completed courses on integrity, transparency, and the fight against corruption at the School of Public Administration of Catalonia. She has a specialized Global Integrated Postgraduate level in “Legal Pluralism, Interculturality, and Human Rights in Guatemala” from UNAM.

Ministry of Economy: Gabriela García-Quinn

She holds a degree in International Relations from American University, Washington DC, in the United States. She has a Master of Science in Development Management from American University, Washington DC, in the United States. It is mentioned that her work has focused on formulating programs to attract trade and investment. She has developed policies for economic growth, targeting children and agricultural sectors.

Ministry of Energy and Mines: Anayté Guardado

She holds a master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Sustainable Development and a postgraduate degree in Human Rights. She led the Association of Renewable Energy Generators. Her work in the field of innovation in energy generation is emphasized as fundamental to the country’s development model.

Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance: Oscar Cordón Cruz

He is a medical doctor with a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Puerto Rico. He has served as an advisor in Global Public Health in the United States and was part of the transition team for the new government. According to information provided by the elected government, his experience lies in food security, maternal and child health, and reproductive health.

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food: Maynor Estrada

He is an agronomist fitotechnician graduated from the University of San Carlos de Guatemala and has a master’s degree in Agricultural Economics obtained in Mexico. He served as the deputy representative of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Guatemala for more than 20 years and is also a university professor.

Ministry of Culture and Sports: Liwy Grazioso Sierra

She is an archaeologist, a graduate of the National School of Anthropology and History in Mexico, with a master’s degree in Mesoamerican Studies from UNAM. She was the coordinator of the Restructuring Project of the National Museum of Anthropology and has been the director and curator of the Miraflores Museum. She has a background in cultural heritage conservation and has been honored by international governments.

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources: María José Iturbide

She is an environmental expert with a Ph.D. in Environmental Policy and Planning from Lincoln University in New Zealand. She has worked on natural resource management, environmental project management, and the formulation of policies for nature protection. She was the executive director of the Water Fund and the director of the Wildlife Department of Conap.

Ministry of Social Development: Abelardo Pinto

He holds a degree in Marketing from Rafael Landívar University and a master’s degree in Government and Public Management from Usac, specializing in the execution of social projects for community resilience. He has worked with multiple national and international organizations, and as mentioned in the information from the new government, he has the ability to propose solutions and develop policies to contribute to the development of those who need it most.

Latina Republic is dedicated to promoting regional understanding through compelling narratives, articles, interviews, and reports that emanate from the heart of the Americas. Our foremost goal is to facilitate constructive dialogue by illuminating local viewpoints frequently overshadowed by mainstream media. Our mission is to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional issues, thus empowering them in their efforts. We are committed to portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America, while also chronicling the progression of social movements and amplifying the voices of those at the forefront of change.

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Unesco social media, the green route of verapaz, guatemala.

The Tentative Lists of States Parties are published by the World Heritage Centre at its website and/or in working documents in order to ensure transparency, access to information and to facilitate harmonization of Tentative Lists at regional and thematic levels.

The sole responsibility for the content of each Tentative List lies with the State Party concerned. The publication of the Tentative Lists does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever of the World Heritage Committee or of the World Heritage Centre or of the Secretariat of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its boundaries.

Property names are listed in the language in which they have been submitted by the State Party

Description

The route is formed by The Laguna Lachuá, Semuc Champey's staggered pools, Candelaria's caves and the caves of Lanquín, places that present diverse ecosystems, Rainy Tropical Humid Forest that represents the most complex bioma in the Earth, Rainy Tropical Forest, that it keeps a narrow similarity with the Humid Tropical Forest and very Humid Subtropical Forest. The area of the caves is place of cult of traditions magic religions of ancestral cultures of the region of the Verapaces.

Tourism Development

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Ministry of tourism, industry and commerce.

The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce addresses the matters of tourism, small business support, standards development and consumer protection.

Guyana has been named the #1 “Best of Ecotourism” destination in the world. The award was presented to Guyana at the ITB global travel trade fair in Berlin, Germany. The second annual “Best of Top 100” Awards is a selection of the finest top 100 destinations selected by a panel of experts who reviewed sustainability success stories submitted by destinations worldwide.

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Kaieteur falls - world's largest single drop waterfall, canje pheasant, giant otter, 2023 events and holidays.

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We are the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts. #ofcourse we celebrate our women! Today we honour all the amazing women that contribute to the sectors. To all of our tourism, culture and arts stakeholders, Happy International Women's Day. 🤩 #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion #investinwomen #internationalwomensday #AccelerateProgress #trending #ofcoursetrend #ofcoursechallenge Gender and Child Affairs United Nations Tourism Trinidad ... See More See Less

• Comments: 7

Comment on Facebook

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY👏💪🙏🏆

Awesomeness!!!! 🇹🇹💃🤩🎶

Hey Ladies from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Trinidad & Tobago. Happy International Women's Day 🎆

Love this! So many beautiful humans in one video. Happy International Women's Day ladies!

.... it nice,.... real nice

When will you be promoting Trinbago, outside of Trinbago, like internationally?

The stale jokes... lol Happy International Women's Day ladies!

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Happy International Women's Day from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts! May we continue to work together towards greater inclusion and acceleration of the women within our sector and nation. ... See More See Less

• Comments: 1

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY ALL GOD FEARING VIRTUOUS INTEGRITY UPHOLDING LAW ABIDING WOMEN HAVE A GLORIOUS AND BLESSED DAY 2024🙏❤

WAYA (We Ask You Answer) Wednesday Can you spot some of the exciting sites and attractions tourists enjoy when in Destination Trinidad? ... See More See Less

• Comments: 10

Paramin, kayaking, beach, maracas waterfall, city tour, angostura house, bird sanctuary

1.Angostura House. 2.City Tour. 3.Beach. 4.Bird Sanctuary. 5.Maracas WaterFall .

1.)Angostura House. 2)..Bird Sanctuary 3.)Beach 4.)City Tour 5.)Maracas WaterFall 6.) Paramin 7.) Beach

Angostura House Maracas Waterfall Bird Sanctuary Beach

Angostura house City tour Beach Bird sanctuary Maracas water fall Paramin Kayaking

Angostura House, Bird Sanctuary, Maracas Water Falls, City Tour

Angostura House, Lift, City Tour, Beach, Bird Sanctuary, Maracas Water Fall...

Maracas Waterfall, Beach, Angostura House, Bird Sanctuary, Kayaking, Paramin,

Angostura House Kayaking Maracas Waterfall Bird Sanctuary City Tour Beach Paramin

Angostura House Kayaking Maracas Waterfall Bird Sanctuary City Tour Beach Paramin.

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Calling all Trinidad and Tobago pianists! The Chilean Cultural Corporation of Viña del Mar has opened the XLVI International Musical Contest “Dr. Luis Sigall” 2023 - Piano Mention contest. This competition is open to musicians born between July 6th, 1991 and October 3rd, 2006. We encourage local pianists to apply to showcase the best of Trinbago artistry. Interested persons must submit their Registration form, chosen repertoire and all requested information in a Microsoft Word file by June 15, 2023 Key Information Needed: 1. A brief Curriculum Vitae outlining your name, nationality, studies, concert schedule in the last 3 years (including reviews or criticisms if available), and awards obtained in your artistic career 2. A scanned PDF copy of your Passport 3. A video file showcasing the repertoire shown in 1st STAGE 4. A signed, scanned letter of recommendation from a Music School or Teacher 5. 2 JPG photographers (300dpi) for promotional purposes For more information, please visit https://www.culturaviva.cl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2_BASES_INGLES-Sigall-2019-2023-PIANO.pdf ...

Happy International Museum Day! Today we celebrate art, history and culture! This year’s theme highlights Museums, Sustainability and Well-being. Let’s discover the treasures that define our heritage and celebrate the power of museums to educate and inspire us! ...

Call for Public Comments! The Ministry of Tourism is seeking YOUR feedback on the Draft Ecotourism Sub-policy currently being developed. Tourism stakeholders and members of the public are invited to read the draft sub-policy and offer constructive feedback. We value your thoughts as we work together to protect and cultivate our ecotourism assets. Interested persons can read the policy and download the feedback form at https://mtca.gov.tt/downloads/. ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts congratulates all of the applicants who participated in last week's MSC Cruises Recruitment Drive and were successful! Over 200 applicants were interviewed by a recruitment team comprising MSC Cruises and Meridian Recruitment Agency Ltd. officials. The Ministry is pleased to announce that over 90 per cent of applicants interviewed during the MSC Cruises recruitment drive at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain from May 10-12, 2023, will receive letters of intent from the cruise line. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts supported the initiative and provided the relevant technical facilities. See below for full press release! @cnc3news @ttgovcommunications @tttliveonline @ttguardian @ttnewsday @trinidadexpress @loopnewstt ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts is seeking to recruit suitably qualified candidates for various positions. See poster for more information. Interested candidates can apply by emailing: [email protected]. The closing date for application is: May 31st, 2023 at 4:15pm. Job descriptions can be found at https://mtca.gov.tt/about/#vacancies . ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts joins the cultural community in mourning the loss of a great leader, visionary, cultural ambassador and local icon, Patrick Arnold, who has passed away at age 84. The Ministry is deeply saddened by the loss of this great leader who served as a former @pantrinbago President for many years. See above for full press release. ...

The deadline to apply for MSC Cruises' Recruitment Drive is fast approaching! Suitably qualified nationals are invited to apply online and submit their applications through www.meridianrecruitments.com by May 5, 2023! Applications must include: - proof of COVID-19 vaccination - ID, passport - resume/CV, and - copies of relevant certificates MSC Cruises looks forward to having you join their team! ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) advises the public, that, in accordance with Section 26 of the Public Procurement and disposal of Public Property Act (2015) effective Wednesday, 26th April 2023 any party seeking to provide goods, works and services to the MTCA must be registered with the Procurement Depository of Trinidad and Tobago, as established by the Office of Procurement Regulation (OPR). ...

It's #throwbacktuesday! The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts met with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Ministry’s Head Office to discuss strengthening bilateral cultural relations between both countries. Ms Jasmine Pascal, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, and other key Ministry staff, met with Mr. Liu Pengfei, Director of the Political Section at the Chinese Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago to discuss several areas of interest including: Promotion of Local Culture and Heritage, Cruise Tourism, the 22nd China Shanghai International Arts Festival and Performing Arts Fair (China SPAF 2023), the establishment of a Research Centre in the Caribbean Region, the promotion of Tourism, opportunities for collaboration and more. We at the Ministry will continue to facilitate opportunities for collaboration with our international stakeholders. @cnc3news @news.gov.tt @loopnewstt @tttliveonline @ttguardian @ttgovcommunications @trinidadexpress @ttnewsday ...

As a proud supporter of the festival for many years, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts welcomed the official launch of the NGC Bocas Lit Fest 2023, with approximately 80 activities taking place throughout this past weekend. Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Ms. Jasmine Pascal, was pleased to deliver remarks and to declare the festival officially open at the festival’s opening ceremony which took place on April 28, 2023, at 10 a.m. at the Old Fire Station, Port of Spain. See full press release 🎉 ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA) is a proud supporter of Trinidad and Tobago’s Gospel Music Industry, having given over $100,000 in sponsorships to Celian Group in support of this year’s Trinidad and Tobago Gospel Music Festival. Ministry representatives were pleased to join in celebrating the official opening of the festival earlier today (April 27, 2023) at the Government Plaza, Port of Spain. See below for full press release. @tttliveonline @cnc3news @loopnewstt @ttnewsday @trinidadexpress @celian_international ...

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (the Ministry) is pleased to support MSC Cruises in collaboration with Meridian Recruitment Agency Ltd. as they seek to recruit 200 suitably qualified nationals to be a part of the MSC Cruises team. The Meridian Recruitment Agency, will be leading the recruitment initiative to fill vacancies in the areas of Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Entertainment, Guest Services and Galley Jobs on behalf of MSC Cruises. See full release. ...

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Tue, Apr 09, 2024 page2

Taiwan launches projects to help guatemala, belize, allies: the guatemalan and belizean governments thanked taiwan for its long-term cooperation and expressed deep concern after wednesday’s earthquake.

• By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter

Taiwan has launched a two-year program with the Central American Integration System (SICA) to promote sustainable development, tourism and energy transition projects in Guatemala and Belize.

Ambassador to Guatemala Miguel Tsao (曹立傑), Guatemalan Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Ramiro Martinez, Belizean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai and SICA Executive Director Ingrid Figueroa attended the launch ceremony for the new cycle of seven regional cooperation projects on Wednesday, Taiwan’s embassy in Guatemala said.

The projects include cooperation in public health, climate change, marine environmental protection, small and medium-sized enterprise development, sustainable tourism, energy transition and electric vehicles, digital transformation and institutional capacity-building.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emblem is pictured in an undated photograph.

Photo: Yang Cheng-yu, Taipei Times

One of the focuses of the new projects is to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises by promoting sustainable practices that would bolster productivity and help conserve the natural and cultural environment, the Central America Tourism Agency said.

The governments of Guatemala and Belize thanked Taiwan for its long-term cooperation with SICA to assist its allies in economic and social development, environmental protection and climate change, the embassy said.

The efforts have helped the Central American countries’ regional and national development and improved their people’s well-being, it said.

They also expressed deep concern after Wednesday’s massive earthquake, which measured 7.2 on the Richter scale, and wished for a quick recovery for Taiwanese, it added.

As a beacon of freedom and democracy, Taiwan plays an important role in the international community and would continue to work hand in hand with SICA and Central American countries to promote prosperity and development in the region, Tsao said.

He also thanked the two countries for supporting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan began working with SICA in 1992 and became an official observer in 2002, helping launch more than 120 projects in fields such as renewable energy, democracy, tourism, maritime transportation, public health and climate change.

SICA comprises the Central American Parliament, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration and the Central American Common Market.

Taiwan in August last year withdrew from the parliament after the body voted to expel the nation in favor of China, which prompted worries that Taiwan’s observer status in SICA and its non-regional membership in the Central American Bank for Economic Integration might be challenged.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs previously said that for major proposals to be adopted in SICA, they must be deliberated and a consensus must be reached at the Foreign Ministers Meeting and Summit of Heads of State.

As two of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — Belize and Guatemala — are members of SICA, the nation’s participation and rights in the body would not be affected, it said.

Additional reporting by CNA

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