The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), commonly called the Foreign Office, responsible for protecting and promoting British interests worldwide, has changed its travel advice to Nicaragua, no longer advising against all but essential travel to the country, and instead advising visitors to exercise a high degree of caution.
In 2017, Nicaragua saw a 19% increase in international travelers, attracting visitors seeking a mix of nature, and exotic beaches as well as Spanish and British colonial heritage
In 2018 however, tourism to Nicaragua slowed down due to the unrest that began in mid-April of that year, and a change in FCO guidelines.
As the situation improves, the FCO relaxed its guidelines.
Colin Stewart, chairman of the Latin American Travel Association (LATA), said: “Nicaragua has a diverse tourism offering blending volcanic landscapes with Spanish and British colonial architecture, remote islands, Pacific and Caribbean beaches and pristine rainforests making it a top destination for intrepid travelers.
“At LATA, while we would urge travelers to follow FCO advice, we feel confident that this change in guidelines will help put the destination back on the map and encourage renewed tourism growth, thus benefitting travelers and the local Nicaraguan travel industry.”
LATA continues to monitor the situation in Nicaragua, working closely with the Nicaraguan Tourist Board and accredited travel companies operating in the region, to provide up-to-date information on the current travel situation.
Anasha Campbell, Nicaragua’s Minister of Tourism, added: “Nicaragua, located in the heart of the Americas, is a destination bursting with the rich culture of its multilingual and multi-ethnic communities, with their exquisite gastronomy and seductive music, traditions and colors.
“Our biggest asset are our charming and hardworking people, who welcome British travelers with warm and open arms, inviting them to discover the breath-taking geography, with unspoiled beaches, tropical forests, lakes, lagoons and millenary volcanoes, with exuberant flora and fauna, where caring for nature, conscious and sustainable travel underpin our ecotourism practices.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.