Daniel Ortega’ regime is generating a major loss of jobs, and tourism is the most affected sector.  

The repression of Daniel Ortega’s government against protests –which has caused from 317 to448 deaths-, left 70,000 people jobless in the tourism industry.

“Around 70,000 jobs have been lost, which stand for over half the jobs of the industry”, said Lucy Valenti, President of the National Chamber of Tourism of Nicaragua (Canatur).

Valenti pointed out that the tourism industry annually generates around 120,000 jobs. However, the current crisis the country faces, the bloodiest since the 1980’s, has caused hotels, restaurants, and tourism companies to implement layoffs.

In addition, by the end of June, around 80% of small hotels were closed down and, in the case of Managua, where the main hotels of the country are located, employment has gone down around 12% to 14%.

As regards restaurants, from the 2,500 registered in Canatur, nearly 800 have closed down (32%).

According to the Central Bank, the tourism industry will experience a USD 213 loss, and this loss expectation is accumulative. It is quite difficult to enable tourists to arrive and move around the country safely.

The government had expected tourism to generate USD 924 million in 2018. However, due to the crisis, the number has gone down to USD 693 million.

Back in 2017, international tourism provided income for USD 700 million in Nicaragua, about 9% than in 2016, according to official figures.

The country is going through the bloodiest crisis since the 1980, with Daniel Ortega as president. According to humanitarian organization, it has caused from 317 to 448 deaths, a number that the government cuts down to 195.