El Salvador forecasts 6% GDP growth and will host international religious tourism congress in 2026

Private sector analysts project that El Salvador could achieve up to 6% economic growth by 2026, driven by a rebound in exports, services, tourism and investment. Export sales are reported to have risen 5% in value and 10% in volume for the year, with the United States remaining the main destination, accounting for about 32% of shipments. Leading export sectors include textiles, agro‑industry products such as coffee and sugar, food processing and pharmaceuticals, bringing total export revenues to roughly US$14 billion. Business leaders also cite El Salvador’s recent removal from the International Labour Organization’s short‑list of cases as a confidence‑boosting signal for future investors.

From July 8‑10, 2026, San Salvador will host the International Congress of Religious Tourism, “Tierra de Fe Viva,” at the National Library. The three‑day event will bring government officials, scholars, tourism operators and religious leaders from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East to discuss trends, opportunities and digital innovations such as artificial‑intelligence tools and social‑media promotion. Participants may earn a certification from Florida Global University after attending at least 80% of the sessions.