Congressional Push to Lower El Salvador’s Travel Advisory Highlights Country’s Transformation and Booming Tourism Industry

Wednesday, August 7, 2024

The Congressional El Salvador Caucus is calling on the Biden administration to reduce the country’s travel advisory level, which currently remains high. Over the past decade, El Salvador has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from one of the most dangerous countries in the world to one of the safest in the Western Hemisphere. This change is largely attributed to President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive gang crackdown, which has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the murder rate. Despite this, the country’s travel advisory designation remains at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel,” the second-highest rating possible.

A Push for Change

In a joint letter signed by 13 members of Congress, led by El Salvador Caucus Co-Chairmen Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), the bipartisan caucus urged the Biden administration to change the country’s travel advisory to Level 1, the lowest level. The letter highlighted the substantial safety improvements in El Salvador, noting that the country’s homicide rate has been steadily declining since 2015, from a high of 104 per 100,000 inhabitants to just 2.4 in 2024. This rate is lower than nearly every major city in the United States.

“El Salvador is now, and has been since 2023, the safest country in the Western Hemisphere; the State Department’s travel advisory, regrettably, does not reflect this reality,” the letter provided to the Washington Examiner read.

The letter also pointed out that several other countries in the Western Hemisphere with similar or higher homicide rates than El Salvador, including Argentina, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay, are at Level 1 designations. Historically, El Salvador held a Level 4 travel advisory for an extended period during the 2000s and 2010s due to rampant gang violence. The advisory was first lowered to Level 2 in September 2019 after President Bukele made a personal request to then-President Donald Trump. Despite the improvements, El Salvador’s advisory was raised to Level 3 with the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained there since the last update in July 2023.

Current Travel Advisory Reasons

The main reasons stated for the current Level 3 advisory are the persistence of violent crime in some areas and concerns over the “State of Exception,” a government order allowing security forces greater leeway to make arrests. The advisory notes that several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception, some reportedly in an arbitrary manner.

The U.S. State Department has been tight-lipped about the details regarding U.S. citizens being detained in El Salvador. However, nearly all appear to be dual citizens. One case reported by a local Salvadoran newspaper in April 2022 involved the arrest of two dual citizens at a party. Both were released soon after. Fox News reported that one of the men was arrested due to tattoos, which are often associated with gangs like MS-13 in El Salvador. A Salvadoran official disputed this, asserting that those arrested were suspected gang members, and the law must apply equally to everyone.

“There’s certainly no Americans being arbitrarily arrested in El Salvador,” the official stated.

Tourism Minister’s Perspective

Tourism Minister Morena Ileana Valdéz Vigil emphasized the growing importance of the tourism industry for El Salvador’s economy. Despite the Level 3 travel advisory, the tourism sector has seen significant growth. According to U.N. Tourism, El Salvador was ranked as having the fourth fastest-growing tourism industry. Valdez mentioned that tourism is expected to contribute 14% of the country’s GDP by the end of 2024, compared to 5%-6% in 2019.

“It has been an issue in the past, but actually, the security has impacted the tourism level,” Valdez noted. “Two million visitors we have received this year, 40% coming from the United States. … Also, we are receiving a growth in tourism from Canada, South America, and Europe.”

Valdez highlighted the influx of women traveling alone as a testament to the improved security in the country. Surveys indicate that many women choose El Salvador because they feel safe, even when taking public transportation.

“And the first thing that you can read in our surveys is because of the security environment in the country. … We also have a lot of tourism of women, women alone,” she said. “That’s another important tourism sector … young women that want to come because they feel safe coming to El Salvador, they feel safe taking public transportation.”

Impact on Migration

One of the most significant indirect benefits of the improved security situation in El Salvador is a decrease in emigration. Valdez stressed the importance of creating local opportunities to prevent migration towards the United States.

“We have been working a lot with a U.S. Embassy and USAID in the promotion of programs for juvenile employment,” she said. “Precisely what we are working on, it’s on the non-migration, on preventing migration towards the United States. Because we don’t want the American dream. We want the Salvadoran dream. We want you to stay in the country through the development of labor in the tourism sector.”

Tourism Growth and International Events

The Salvadoran Ministry of Tourism provided figures showing a sharp decline in tourism in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by a significant rebound. In 2023, El Salvador hosted a record 3.4 million tourists, and the country has already welcomed 2 million tourists by June 2024, suggesting another record-breaking year.

El Salvador’s growing tourism industry has enabled the country to host several international events that were previously unthinkable. For instance, the Miss Universe pageant was held in El Salvador in 2023 for the first time since 1975. These events showcase the country’s improved safety and growing global appeal.

A New Era for El Salvador

The push from the Congressional El Salvador Caucus to lower the travel advisory level underscores the significant strides the country has made in terms of safety and tourism. President Bukele’s administration has focused on transforming El Salvador’s international image, and the data supports this narrative. The dramatic reduction in the murder rate and the booming tourism industry are clear indicators of the positive changes taking place.

The bipartisan support from U.S. Congress members reflects a broader recognition of these improvements and the potential benefits for both countries. Lowering the travel advisory level could further boost tourism and strengthen economic ties between El Salvador and the United States.

Conclusion

El Salvador has made remarkable progress in transforming its safety landscape and boosting its tourism industry. The Congressional El Salvador Caucus’s call to lower the travel advisory level is a testament to these achievements. As the country continues to enhance its security measures and promote local opportunities, the potential for further growth in tourism and economic development is significant.

By recognizing and supporting these changes, the Biden administration has the opportunity to foster a stronger relationship with El Salvador, encouraging more American tourists to explore the country’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and welcoming hospitality. With ongoing efforts to improve safety and promote tourism, El Salvador is poised to become a top destination in the Western Hemisphere, offering a unique and rewarding experience for travelers from around the world.

Source: Washington Examiner

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