Under the new brand “Guatemala. Amazing and unstoppable” the Central American country will be a FITUR 23 Partner at one of the most important editions of the International Tourism Fair, which, organised by IFEMA MADRID, will be held from 18 to 22 January 2023 at the Spanish capital’s Trade Fair Centre, and in a context marked by the acceleration of world tourism activity.

Spread across a mountainous slice of Central America immediately south of Mexico, Guatemala is the quintessential exotic destination for European travellers – well off the beaten track. However, loaded with incredible natural, historical and cultural appeal, the country is gaining traction as a tourism hotspot, making now the ideal time to visit. As part of a multi-stop trip to Central America, Phil Sharp here finds out more for Breaking Travel News.

The Guatemala Tourist Board has launched a new programme to attract more visitors to the Peten region in the north of the country through the development of new facilities and the promotion of tourism products such as the Carmelita-El Mirador circuit or the new Maya Trek. The region is home to the Maya Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected area in Guatemala occupying 19 per cent of the national territory, as well as important Maya sites like Tikal.

A new centre dedicated to research and the preservation of the Mayan cultural heritage has been officially inaugurated at Tikal National Park in the Peten district of Northern Guatemala. This new centre is the result of the joint efforts of the Guatemalan ministry of culture and sports and the government of Japan, who financed the project through its International Cooperation Agency.

A US pharmaceutical company has come up with a novel way to get people to participate in trials for a remedy for “holiday tummy”. Intercell is offering up to 900 volunteers free holidays to Mexico or Guatemala - and all they need to do is eat, drink and see if they get sick.