Guatemala Sees Continued Growth from UK Travellers as New Experiences and Connectivity Strengthen Tourism Offering

From January to June 2026, Guatemala recorded 14,092 visitors from the UK, representing a 13.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025. February proved a particularly strong month for UK arrivals, demonstrating growing appetite for travel outside the traditional peak periods. Cultural (34.3%) and nature-based (17.1%) activities were among the leading traveller interests, reflecting Guatemala’s appeal as a destination where history, heritage and landscapes come together. 

Against a backdrop of growing international interest, Guatemala continues to develop new tourism experiences that encourage travellers to explore more of the country and discover lesser-visited regions. One example is El Camino del Tiempo, a new long-distance hiking route being developed in Guatemala’s Quiché region ahead of a planned 2027 launch. Inspired by long-distance pilgrimage routes such as the Camino de Santiago, the route will connect Maya sacred sites, archaeological landscapes, Indigenous communities and 16th-century colonial churches, with the first section set to open in late 2026. Linking Chichicastenango, Q’umarkaj, Santa Cruz del Quiché, San Antonio Ilotenango and Patzité, the multi-day journey will offer visitors a new way to experience one of Guatemala’s most culturally significant regions. 

To support this momentum, Guatemala is preparing for the next phase of its tourism development through expanded air connectivity, new long-haul route opportunities and investment in boutique and mid-sized accommodation that reflects the character of the destination. Working closely with local communities remains central to this approach, ensuring tourism growth creates economic opportunities while preserving the cultural and natural assets that make Guatemala unique. 

International connectivity is also continuing to strengthen. In September, Air Canada announced an extension of its services to Guatemala from Montréal and Toronto, providing UK travellers with more convenient one-stop connection options via Canada. The carrier has extended its Montréal–Guatemala City service through summer 2027 and confirmed its Toronto–Guatemala City route as a year-round service, following the success of its seasonal operations. The expanded services offer travellers greater flexibility to discover Guatemala’s diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage and welcoming communities throughout the year. 

This continued investment in tourism experiences and accessibility comes as Guatemala’s tourism economy enters a period of growth. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts international visitor spending will reach GTQ 14.9 billion (USD 1.9 billion) in 2026, 21.4% above 2019 levels. WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Research also forecasts international visitor spending to grow by 9.3% year-on-year in 2026, highlighting Guatemala’s growing appeal among international travellers and the continued contribution of tourism to the country’s economy. 

For more information about Guatemala, go to visitguatemala.gt

For media enquiries, contact The PC Agency team via Guatemala@pc.agency

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