El Salvador expands service exports and secures direct flights to Spain

El Salvador's service sector reached $6.21 billion in exports in 2025, a 4.4% year‑over‑year increase that gave the country 11.7% of the Central American services market. Growth was driven by travel, transportation and telecommunications, computer science and information‑system services, which together accounted for more than three‑quarters of exports. The nation also saw a 10.5% rise in imported services, supporting a balanced ecosystem that positions it as a nearshoring hub for U.S. companies.

In September, the Salvadoran Ministry of Tourism will launch a strategic partnership with Spanish carrier Iberojet. The airline will operate two weekly nonstop flights from Madrid and Barcelona to El Salvador’s San Óscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport. Officials expect the routes to double the flow of Spanish tourists, lengthen average stays and boost spending in hotels, restaurants and other local services, helping achieve broader macro‑economic goals.