Bitcoin and surfing, El Salvador's bets to boost tourism

26-07-23

Tourists are flocking to El Salvador and doing so in record numbers, according to the Central American country's tourism minister. 

The announcement comes as the nation steps up its PR campaign to show the world that it is no longer a small backwater plagued by violent street gangs, but a haven for Bitcoin and surfing. 

El Salvador made headlines in 2021 when it became the first country in the world to legalise Bitcoin. Its president has jumped on the Bitcoin bandwagon and businesses now have to accept the cryptocurrency by law. 

There is no doubt that President Bukele has turned the country's situation around with a historic offensive against El Salvador's most notorious criminal groups. At the same time, he hopes to transform the country into a technology hub.