With an offering that combines coastline, surfing, volcanoes, coffee, heritage, gastronomy and urban life within a compact territory, El Salvador stands out as the ideal destination for travellers seeking new experiences and who value authenticity.
El Salvador stands out as an extraordinarily diverse tourist destination that has managed to preserve its essence, and whose compact geography makes it possible to enjoy a wealth of experiences in just a few days: routes through volcanic landscapes, visits to coffee plantations and nature reserves, exploring colonial towns, the coast and surfing, and delicious cuisine… There are many attractions in this emerging destination in the heart of Central America, which, in just a few weeks’ time, will host the second edition of its main B2B tourism trade fair.
Organised by the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR), with the support of the El Salvador Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) and the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (CORSATUR), El Salvador Travel Market – ESTM 2026 will take place from 14 to 18 September at the Hilton San Salvador Hotel and will bring together international buyers, wholesalers and tour operators from North America, Europe and Latin America with the country’s tourism companies and suppliers.
The organisers estimate that this year there will be over 900 business meetings, through which El Salvador will showcase its major attractions to the international tourism industry as the centrepiece of a range of tourist experiences that resonate with the profile and interests of European travellers seeking novelty and authenticity. We will highlight just four of these that make El Salvador a unique destination.
The Pacific waves
El Salvador is the new mecca for surfers. The powerful and varied waves in this part of the Pacific guarantee fun for both experts and beginners in the sport. Point breaks predominate, with long, sometimes tubular walls that allow rides of over 200 metres. The Surf City coastal corridor has become a magnet for surfers, who enjoy the sport, nature and a lively local scene here.
Fire and Water
Climb the Santa Ana volcano, situated in the Volcanoes National Park, to admire its incredible turquoise-watered crater, which instantly immerses you in a stunning lunar landscape. The trek rewards your physical effort with the pride of reaching the highest point in El Salvador and enjoying fantastic panoramic views of Lake Coatepeque, evidence of the area’s volcanic origins. It’s a highly recommended experience for lovers of nature and responsible adventure tourism.
Colonial charm
Exploring the vibrant villages along the colonial route allows you to discover their traditional architecture, crafts and festivals that keep Salvadoran identity alive. From Suchitoto to Panchimalco, you’ll find beautiful churches, cobbled streets and markets where time seems to stand still. They are the perfect place to enjoy cuisine made from local produce and to connect with communities that proudly preserve their traditions.
The secrets of ‘blue gold’
Many people are unaware that El Salvador is one of the leading producers of indigo, a deep blue dye highly prized by the textile industry. Today, various historic haciendas demonstrate the traditional process of cultivating, fermenting and drying the plant from which it is extracted, highlighting the social and economic significance of this product.
With its strong offering of experiential tourism, El Salvador is set to become one of the ‘trendy destinations’ for Europeans in Central America in the coming years. The authenticity of its offering is its greatest asset, and this will be showcased particularly strongly this September at the El Salvador Travel Market 2026.
Further information: www.elsalvadortravelmarket.com
Source: MUNKA Comunicación