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Ruta del Cafe second phase starts in Northern Nicaragua

Róger Solórzano Canales | Dec 14, 2011

Mayra Salinas, René Lauer and functionaries involved in Ruta del Café.

More than 9 million dollars, as well as several training programs, constitute this program.

New funds and a comprehensive working plan for tourism development in Northern Nicaragua will be part of the second phase of the "Ruta del Café" project, which is coordinated by the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR) and the respective local governments with the support of the Luxembourg government. This phase was formally announced today during a press conference as a symbol of its beginning.

It was the success achieved with the first phase of the project which led both parties to decide to continue the experience with this next phase. Las Segovias - constituted by the departments of Matagalpa, Jinotega, Estelí, Nueva Segovia and Madriz - will have workshops on tourism, financing programs for businesses and both national and international promotional campaigns.

Mayra Salinas, vice - president of INTUR, explained the Ruta del Cafe is a project that develops a tourist route with a thematic approach, which also gathers attractions and promotes local strengthening. The first phase began in 2007 and ended this year. Six millions dollars were given to this cause, mainly donated by Luxembourg.

Achievements of the first phase

INTUR's representative explained the project's main achievements. Some of them are:

  • It generated a great participation of tourism stakeholders. Over 29 thousand people were involved in different activities, such as creating cabinets, registration of businesses and others.
  • 26 municipal governments developed tourism projects.
  • 28 new tourist circuits were identified.
  • 32 projects (museum, viewpoints, trails and other constructions) were executed.
  • 179 loans were given to local tourism business.

Goals of the second phase

René Lauer, Charge D'Affaires of the Embassy of Luxembourg, stated that the main goal of the government is to improve the living conditions in the country, as well as creating more jobs. His country considers that the several growth possibilities and the commitment of both public and private entities benefit the Nicaraguan tourism sector.

According to Lauer's explanation, the key goals of the second phase are, in fact, a follow up of the previous one. The second phase will have a fund of US$9,183,600 dollars. Luxembourg will donate over 7 million dollars. The rest will be given by INTUR, municipal governments from Northern Nicaragua and local cooperatives.

Mayra Salinas shared the project's goals as follows:

1. Strengthening the institutional framework and cooperative association.

2. Generating territorial planning, signage and public infrastructure.

3. Developing human force.

4. Financing assistance and tourism for small businesses.

5. Promoting destinations.

Translated by Cinthia Membreño