Cable Viewer

Currently released so far... 16068 / 251,287

### Articles

Brazil Sri Lanka United Kingdom Sweden 00. Editorial United States Latin America Egypt Jordan Yemen Thailand

### Browse latest releases

2010/11 2010/12 2011/01 2011/02 2011/03 2011/04 2011/05 2011/06 2011/07
2010/11/28 2010/11/29 2010/11/30
2010/12/01 2010/12/02 2010/12/03 2010/12/04 2010/12/05 2010/12/06 2010/12/07 2010/12/08 2010/12/09 2010/12/10 2010/12/11 2010/12/12 2010/12/13 2010/12/14 2010/12/15 2010/12/16 2010/12/17 2010/12/18 2010/12/19 2010/12/20 2010/12/21 2010/12/22 2010/12/23 2010/12/24 2010/12/25 2010/12/26 2010/12/27 2010/12/28 2010/12/29 2010/12/30
2011/01/01 2011/01/02 2011/01/04 2011/01/05 2011/01/07 2011/01/09 2011/01/10 2011/01/11 2011/01/12 2011/01/13 2011/01/14 2011/01/15 2011/01/16 2011/01/17 2011/01/18 2011/01/19 2011/01/20 2011/01/21 2011/01/22 2011/01/23 2011/01/24 2011/01/25 2011/01/26 2011/01/27 2011/01/28 2011/01/29 2011/01/30 2011/01/31
2011/02/01 2011/02/02 2011/02/03 2011/02/04 2011/02/05 2011/02/06 2011/02/07 2011/02/08 2011/02/09 2011/02/10 2011/02/11 2011/02/12 2011/02/13 2011/02/14 2011/02/15 2011/02/16 2011/02/17 2011/02/18 2011/02/19 2011/02/20 2011/02/21 2011/02/22 2011/02/23 2011/02/24 2011/02/25 2011/02/26 2011/02/27 2011/02/28
2011/03/01 2011/03/02 2011/03/03 2011/03/04 2011/03/05 2011/03/06 2011/03/07 2011/03/08 2011/03/09 2011/03/10 2011/03/11 2011/03/13 2011/03/14 2011/03/15 2011/03/16 2011/03/17 2011/03/18 2011/03/19 2011/03/20 2011/03/21 2011/03/22 2011/03/23 2011/03/24 2011/03/25 2011/03/26 2011/03/27 2011/03/28 2011/03/29 2011/03/30 2011/03/31
2011/04/01 2011/04/02 2011/04/03 2011/04/04 2011/04/05 2011/04/06 2011/04/07 2011/04/08 2011/04/09 2011/04/10 2011/04/11 2011/04/12 2011/04/13 2011/04/14 2011/04/15 2011/04/16 2011/04/17 2011/04/18 2011/04/19 2011/04/20 2011/04/21 2011/04/22 2011/04/23 2011/04/24 2011/04/25 2011/04/26 2011/04/27 2011/04/28 2011/04/29 2011/04/30
2011/05/01 2011/05/02 2011/05/03 2011/05/04 2011/05/05 2011/05/06 2011/05/07 2011/05/08 2011/05/09 2011/05/10 2011/05/11 2011/05/12 2011/05/13 2011/05/14 2011/05/15 2011/05/16 2011/05/17 2011/05/18 2011/05/19 2011/05/20 2011/05/21 2011/05/22 2011/05/23 2011/05/24 2011/05/25 2011/05/26 2011/05/27 2011/05/28 2011/05/29 2011/05/30 2011/05/31
2011/06/01 2011/06/02 2011/06/03 2011/06/04 2011/06/05 2011/06/06 2011/06/07 2011/06/08 2011/06/09 2011/06/10 2011/06/11 2011/06/12 2011/06/13 2011/06/14 2011/06/15 2011/06/16 2011/06/17 2011/06/18 2011/06/19 2011/06/20 2011/06/21 2011/06/22 2011/06/23 2011/06/24 2011/06/25 2011/06/26 2011/06/27 2011/06/28 2011/06/29 2011/06/30
2011/07/01 2011/07/02 2011/07/04 2011/07/05 2011/07/06 2011/07/07 2011/07/08 2011/07/10

### Browse by creation date

66 72 73 75 79 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10
1966/12
1972/02 1972/08
1973/04
1975/03
1979/08
1985/03 1985/05 1985/06
1986/05 1986/08 1986/12
1987/06
1988/01 1988/03 1988/04 1988/07 1988/08 1988/12
1989/12
1990/01 1990/07 1990/08 1990/10
1991/05 1991/07 1991/11
1992/01 1992/03 1992/06 1992/09 1992/12
1993/01 1993/10
1994/11 1994/12
1995/01 1995/04
1996/07 1996/09 1996/11
1997/02 1997/03 1997/05 1997/06 1997/08 1997/10 1997/12
1998/05
1999/01 1999/09
2000/05 2000/06 2000/09 2000/11
2001/02 2001/03 2001/04 2001/05 2001/06 2001/07 2001/09 2001/10 2001/11 2001/12
2002/01 2002/02 2002/03 2002/04 2002/07 2002/08 2002/09 2002/11 2002/12
2003/01 2003/02 2003/03 2003/04 2003/05 2003/06 2003/07 2003/08 2003/09 2003/10 2003/11 2003/12
2004/01 2004/02 2004/03 2004/04 2004/05 2004/06 2004/07 2004/08 2004/09 2004/10 2004/11 2004/12
2005/01 2005/02 2005/03 2005/04 2005/05 2005/06 2005/07 2005/08 2005/09 2005/10 2005/11 2005/12
2006/01 2006/02 2006/03 2006/04 2006/05 2006/06 2006/07 2006/08 2006/09 2006/10 2006/11 2006/12
2007/01 2007/02 2007/03 2007/04 2007/05 2007/06 2007/07 2007/08 2007/09 2007/10 2007/11 2007/12
2008/01 2008/02 2008/03 2008/04 2008/05 2008/06 2008/07 2008/08 2008/09 2008/10 2008/11 2008/12
2009/01 2009/02 2009/03 2009/04 2009/05 2009/06 2009/07 2009/08 2009/09 2009/10 2009/11 2009/12
2010/01 2010/02

### Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Embassy Athens Embassy Asuncion Embassy Astana Embassy Asmara Embassy Ashgabat Embassy Apia Embassy Ankara Embassy Amman Embassy Algiers Embassy Addis Ababa Embassy Accra Embassy Abuja Embassy Abu Dhabi Embassy Abidjan Consulate Auckland Consulate Amsterdam Consulate Adana American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura Embassy Buenos Aires Embassy Budapest Embassy Bucharest Embassy Brussels Embassy Bridgetown Embassy Bratislava Embassy Brasilia Embassy Bogota Embassy Bishkek Embassy Bern Embassy Berlin Embassy Belmopan Embassy Belgrade Embassy Beirut Embassy Beijing Embassy Banjul Embassy Bangkok Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan Embassy Bamako Embassy Baku Embassy Baghdad Consulate Belfast Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen Embassy Conakry Embassy Colombo Embassy Chisinau Embassy Caracas Embassy Canberra Embassy Cairo Consulate Curacao Consulate Ciudad Juarez Consulate Chiang Mai Consulate Chennai Consulate Casablanca Consulate Cape Town Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe Embassy Dublin Embassy Doha Embassy Djibouti Embassy Dili Embassy Dhaka Embassy Dar Es Salaam Embassy Damascus Embassy Dakar Consulate Dubai Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Freetown Consulate Fukuoka
Embassy Guatemala Embassy Gaborone Consulate Guayaquil Consulate Guangzhou Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki Embassy Harare Embassy Hanoi Consulate Hong Kong Consulate Ho Chi Minh City Consulate Hermosillo Consulate Hamilton Consulate Hamburg Consulate Halifax
Iran RPO Dubai Embassy Islamabad Consulate Istanbul
Embassy Jakarta Consulate Jerusalem Consulate Jeddah
Embassy Kyiv Embassy Kuwait Embassy Kuala Lumpur Embassy Kinshasa Embassy Kingston Embassy Kigali Embassy Khartoum Embassy Kathmandu Embassy Kampala Embassy Kabul Consulate Kolkata Consulate Karachi
Embassy Luxembourg Embassy Luanda Embassy London Embassy Ljubljana Embassy Lisbon Embassy Lima Embassy Lilongwe Embassy La Paz Consulate Lahore Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE Mission USNATO Mission UNESCO Mission Geneva Embassy Muscat Embassy Moscow Embassy Montevideo Embassy Monrovia Embassy Minsk Embassy Mexico Embassy Mbabane Embassy Maputo Embassy Manila Embassy Manama Embassy Managua Embassy Malabo Embassy Madrid Consulate Munich Consulate Mumbai Consulate Montreal Consulate Monterrey Consulate Milan Consulate Melbourne Consulate Matamoros
Embassy Nicosia Embassy Niamey Embassy New Delhi Embassy Ndjamena Embassy Nassau Embassy Nairobi Consulate Nuevo Laredo Consulate Naples Consulate Naha
Embassy Ouagadougou Embassy Ottawa Embassy Oslo
Embassy Pristina Embassy Pretoria Embassy Prague Embassy Port Of Spain Embassy Port Louis Embassy Port Au Prince Embassy Phnom Penh Embassy Paris Embassy Paramaribo Embassy Panama Consulate Peshawar
Embassy Quito Consulate Quebec
REO Basrah Embassy Rome Embassy Riyadh Embassy Riga Embassy Reykjavik Embassy Rangoon Embassy Rabat Consulate Rio De Janeiro Consulate Recife
Secretary of State Embassy Suva Embassy Stockholm Embassy Sofia Embassy Skopje Embassy Singapore Embassy Seoul Embassy Sarajevo Embassy Santo Domingo Embassy Santiago Embassy Sanaa Embassy San Salvador Embassy San Jose Consulate Strasbourg Consulate St Petersburg Consulate Shenyang Consulate Shanghai Consulate Sapporo Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis Embassy Tripoli Embassy Tokyo Embassy The Hague Embassy Tel Aviv Embassy Tehran Embassy Tegucigalpa Embassy Tbilisi Embassy Tashkent Embassy Tallinn Consulate Toronto Consulate Tijuana Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York USEU Brussels US Office Almaty US Mission Geneva US Interests Section Havana US Delegation, Secretary UNVIE UN Rome Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius Embassy Vientiane Embassy Vienna Embassy Vatican Embassy Valletta Consulate Vladivostok Consulate Vancouver
Embassy Windhoek Embassy Wellington Embassy Warsaw
Embassy Yerevan Embassy Yaounde
Embassy Zagreb

### Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ASEC AEMR AMGT AR APECO AU AORC AJ AF AFIN AS AM ABLD AFFAIRS AMB APER AA AG AE ADM AL ALOW ACOA AID AND ABUD ATRN ADPM ADANA APEC ARABL ADCO ANARCHISTS AADP AO AGRICULTURE ANET AGAO AROC AMED AY AORG ASEAN ACABQ AINF AODE APCS ARF AX AMEX AZ ASUP ARM AQ ATFN AMBASSADOR ACBAQ AFSI AFSN AC AOPR AREP ASIG ASEX AER AVERY ASCH AFU AMG ATPDEA ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AORL AN AIT AGMT ACS AGR AMCHAMS AECL AUC AFGHANISTAN ACAO
BR BB BG BEXP BY BA BRUSSELS BU BD BK BL BM BE BO BH BTIO BILAT BMGT BX BC BIDEN BP BBG BF BBSR BT BWC BEXPC BN BTIU
CPAS CA CASC CS CBW CIDA CO CODEL CI CROS CU CH CWC CMGT CVIS CDG CG CF CHIEF CJAN CBSA CE CY CD CT CW CM CONS CDC CR CB CN COUNTRY CONDOLEEZZA CZ COM CICTE CYPRUS CARICOM CTR CBE COE CACS CIVS CFED COUNTER CARSON CAPC CV COPUOS CKGR CHR CVR CLINTON COUNTERTERRORISM CITEL CLEARANCE CIC CITT CSW CARIB CAFTA CACM CDB CJUS CTM CAN CONSULAR CLMT CBC CIA CNARC CIS CEUDA CHINA CAC CL
DR DJ DHS DAO DCM DO DEFENSE DA DE DOMESTIC DISENGAGEMENT DK DOD DOT DPRK DEPT DEA DOE DTRA DS DEAX
ECON ETTC EFIS ETRD EC EMIN EAGR EAID EU EFIN EUN ECIN EG EWWT EINV ENRG ELAB EPET EN EAIR EUMEM ECPS ELTN EIND EZ EI ER ET EINT ECONOMIC ENIV EFTA ES ECONOMY ENGR ELECTIONS ECIP ERNG EXIM ENERG EREL EK EDEV ETRAD ETRC EPA EUREM ENVI EXTERNAL ELN ECOSOC EAIDS ENGY ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EINVEFIN EPREL ECA EDU EFINECONCS ETC ENVR EAP EINN EXBS ECONOMICS EIAR EINDETRD ECONEFIN EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EFIM EINVETC ECONCS EBRD ETRA ESA EAIG EUR EUC ERD ETRN EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ESENV ENNP ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN
FR FI FOREIGN FTAA FREEDOM FBI FINANCE FAS FAO FAA FJ FTA FARC FK FAC FDA FINR FM FOR FOI FO FMLN FISO
GM GG GERARD GT GA GR GTIP GY GLOBAL GCC GC GV GAZA GL GOV GOI GF GH GE GTMO GANGS GAERC GZ GUILLERMO GASPAR
HR HO HA HYMPSK HK HUMAN HN HU HURI HILLARY HI HUM HSTC HEBRON HUMOR
IZ IN IAEA IS IMO ILO IR IC IT ITU IV IMF IBRD IWC IRAQI IDB ISRAELI ITALY IADB ITPGOV ITALIAN ID ICAO ICRC INR IFAD IO IQ IPR IRAQ INMARSAT INRA INTERNAL ICJ INDO IRS IIP ICTY ILC ISCON IEFIN ITRA IA INTERPOL IEA INRB IAHRC ISRAEL IZPREL IRAJ IF ITPHUM IL IACI IDA ISLAMISTS IGAD ITF INRO IBET INTELSAT IDP ICTR IRC
JA JO JM JP JOHN JUS JAMES JOSEPH JOHNNIE JML JIMENEZ
KNNP KFLO KDEM KOMC KSUM KIPR KFLU KPAO KE KCRM KJUS KAWC KZ KSCA KDRG KCOR KGHG KPAL KTIP KMCA KCRS KPKO KOLY KRVC KVPR KG KWBG KMDR KTER KSPR KV KTFN KWMN KFRD KSTH KS KN KISL KGIC KSEP KFIN KTEX KTIA KUNR KCMR KMOC KCIP KTDB KBIO KU KSAF KSTC KBCT KIRF KIRC KICC KIDE KSEO KNUC KCFE KPWR KNUP KR KMPI KREC KCSY KHLS KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KOCI KREL KPRP KPRV KMCC KAUST KPAOPREL KVIR KTBT KCRIM KCRCM KPAONZ KNAR KHDP KHSA KHIV KTRD KTAO KPAOY KJUST KFSC KINR KENV KWAC KGIT KMRS KSCI KNPP KBTS KPIR KO KCOM KAID KVRP KNDP KACT KAWK KERG KTLA KMFO KNNPMNUC KPOA KX KRCM KCFC KNEI KCHG KPLS KFTFN KTFM KLIG KDEMAF KRAD KBTR KGCC KICA KHUM KSEC KPIN KESS KDEV KWWMN KOM KWNM KRFD KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KRGY KIFR KSAC KWMNCS KPAK KOMS KFPC KRIM KDDG KCGC KPAI KID KMIG KNSD KWMM
LY LE LABOR LO LAB LTTE LH LU LA LI LG LT LOG
MARR MX MASS MOPS MNUC MCAP MTCRE MRCRE MTRE MASC MY MK MO MCC MCA MAS MU ML MIL MTCR MEPP MG MP MD MAR MAPP MINUSTAH MZ MR MA MOPPS MTS MLS MILI MEPN MEPI MEETINGS MERCOSUR MW MT MIK MN MAPS MV MILITARY MARAD MDC MACEDONIA MASSMNUC MUCN MEDIA MI MQADHAFI MPOS MPS MC
NZ NATO NI NO NU NG NL NPT NS NA NP NATIONAL NC NSF NDP NIPP NSSP NE NATOIRAQ NAS NGO NR NZUS NARC NH NSG NAFTA NEW NRR NT NASA NAR NK NOVO NATOPREL NEA NSC NV NPA NSFO NW NORAD NPG
OTRA OECD OVIP OREP OPRC ODC OIIP OPDC OAS OSCE OPIC OMS OEXC OPCW OPAD OSCI ODIP OFDP OPEC OFFICIALS OIE ODPC OSHA OVIPPRELUNGANU OHUM OTR OMIG OSAC OBSP OFDA OVP ON OCII OES OCS OIC
PGOV PREL PARM PINR PHUM PM PREF PTER PK PINS PBIO PHSA PE PBTS PL POL PAK POV POLITICS POLICY PERL PA PNAT PCI PAS PALESTINIAN PPA PROP PERM PETR PREZ POLITICAL PO PRELPK PAIGH PROG PJUS PMIL PGOR PBTSRU PSI PDOV PAO PTE PINO PRAM PTERE PARMS PREO PGOF PG PRGOV PORG PP PS PKFK PSOE PEPR PDEM PINT PMAR PRELP PREFA PNG PTBS PFOR PUNE PGOVLO PHUMBA POLINT PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PY PLN PHUH PEDRO PF PHUS PETER PU PARTIES PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PHUMPREL POGOV PEL PINL PBT PINF PRL PSEPC POSTS PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOC PNR PROV
QA
RS RP RU RW RFE RCMP RIGHTSPOLMIL RO ROBERT RM RICE REGION ROOD RELAM RSP RF RELATIONS RIGHTS RUPREL REMON RPEL REACTION REPORT RSO
SZ SENV SOCI SNAR SY SO SP SU SI SMIG SYR SA SCUL SW SR SYRIA SNARM SPECIALIST SENS SEN SN SC SF SMIL SCRM SENVSXE SL SAARC STEINBERG SWE SNARIZ SARS SCRS SG SAN ST SIPDIS SSA SPCVIS SOFA SENVKGHG SANC SHI SEVN SHUM SK SH SNARCS SPCE SNARN SIPRS
TRGY TBIO TSPA TU TPHY TI TX TH TIP TSPL TNGD TS TW TRSY TP TZ TN TC TR TF TINT TK TRAD TT TD TWI TERRORISM TL TV TO TURKEY TSPAM TRT TFIN TAGS TBID THPY
UNSC UK UNGA UN US UZ USEU UG UP UNAUS UNMIK USTR UR UY UNHRC USPS UNSCR UNESCO UNFICYP USAID USOAS UV UNMIC USUN UNCHR UNDP USGS UNHCR USNC UNEP UA UE UNVIE UAE UNO UNODC UNCHS UNDESCO UNC UNPUOS UNDC UNICEF UNCHC UNCSD UNFCYP UNIDROIT UNCND
VE VM VT VZ VEPREL VTEG VTIZ VTPREL VISIT VENZ VAT VC VI VN
WHTI WIPO WTRO WTO WFP WS WHO WA WZ WI WBG WMD WWARD WHA WITH WTRQ WEU WMO WB
XA XR XW XX XK XL XM XS XF XG XT XC XH XD XE XV XB XU XZ XY XQ XI XTAG
YI YM YE YL YMCS
ZU ZI ZP ZR ZOELLICK ZK ZF ZO ZL ZB ZH ZT ZJ ZEALAND ZN ZA ZANU

### Browse by classification

CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN SECRET SECRET//NOFORN UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

### Community resources

Follow us on Twitter Check our Reddit Twitter this Digg this page Contact us on IRC

courage is contagious

### Viewing cable 08MANAGUA1331, NICARAGUA: TOURISM OFFICIAL PAINTS A ROSY PICTURE

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:

- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.

To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08MANAGUA1331.

Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
08MANAGUA1331 | 2008-10-31 21:52 | 2011-06-23 08:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Managua

`

    VZCZCXYZ0001
    PP RUEHWEB

    DE RUEHMU #1331/01 3052152
    ZNR UUUUU ZZH
    P 312152Z OCT 08
    FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
    TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3323
    INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
    RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC

` `

    UNCLAS MANAGUA 001331

    SENSITIVE
    SIPDIS

    USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/WH/MSIEGELMAN
    3134/ITA/USFCS/OIO/WH/MKESHISHIAN/BARTHUR

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: EIND EINV ECON NU
    SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: TOURISM OFFICIAL PAINTS A ROSY PICTURE

    REF: MANAGUA 122

    SUMMARY
    -------

    ¶1. (SBU) Mario Salinas, President of the Nicaraguan Tourism
    Institute (INTUR), predicted that the tourism industry will grow 11%
    in 2008, which would be higher than the 6% growth rate in 2007.  To
    ensure this growth, INTUR, the GON's tourism promotion agency, is
    participating in more international tourism fairs to promote
    Nicaraguan tourism.  Salinas reports that he has approved new hotels
    and beach resorts, is trying to attract more cruise ships to local
    ports, and is providing technical assistance to diversify
    Nicaragua's tourism sector.  However, some industry insiders note
    that sales for many tourism entrepreneurs have dropped by 15-20%
    during the first half of 2008.  They point out the growing negative
    perception of Nicaragua internationally is scaring off tourists and
    investors.  The cautious optimism that industry representatives had
    for Nicaragua's tourism sector in 2008 has changed to serious
    concern about keeping their businesses alive.  End Summary.

    SALINAS PREDICTS HIGHER GROWTH IN 2008
    --------------------------------------

    ¶2. (U) On September 18, Mario Salinas, President of INTUR, presented
    a mid-year assessment of Nicaragua's tourism sector to local
    entrepreneurs.  Salinas predicted that tourism would grow 11% in
    2008, a considerable jump when compared to 6% growth rate in 2007.
    Salinas reported that 413,111 tourists visited Nicaragua during the
    first half of 2008, an increase of 7% over the first half of 2007.
    He estimated that 900,000 tourists would visit Nicaragua in 2008,
    assuming the usual bump during the November and December high
    season, and predicted that Nicaragua would earn a total of $290
    million for the year.

    ¶3. (U) In 2007, tourism contributed $255.1 million to national
    income; 510 new businesses were formed and 869 jobs were created.
    Salinas asserted that growth in 2008 would result in 1,271 new
    companies and almost 2,000 new jobs.

    SALINAS SHARES PLANS TO BOOST SECTOR
    ------------------------------------

    ¶4. (U) Salinas reassured his audience that the GON was working
    diligently to grow the tourism industry.  This year, INTUR
    participated in tourism fairs in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala,
    Panama, Germany, Spain, and Venezuela, and will also attend a fair
    in London in November.  He said INTUR has increased its promotion
    activities in the United States and Canada -- Nicaragua's most
    important tourist markets -- but is also targeting Central America
    and Venezuela, two markets with potential.

    ¶5. (U) With regard to new investments in tourism developments,
    Salinas stated that he had approved 13 hotels and beach resorts
    during the first half of 2008.  He expects to approve 10 more
    projects before the end of the year.  These 10 new investments will
    add 622 rooms and create 360 jobs.  He said he is negotiating with
    Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to dock more
    frequently at the ports of Corinto and San Juan del Sur.
    Additionally, INTUR is providing technical assistance and limited
    financial support to help local companies diversify Nicaragua's
    tourism industry so that it includes ecotourism, agro-tourism,
    rivers, nature trails, and historical sites.

    INDUSTRY SKPETICISM
    -------------------

    ¶6. (SBU) Alfredo Gutierrez, President of the Nicaraguan Association
    of Tourism Operators (ANTUR), questioned the validity of INTUR's
    data, pointing out that it is poorly prepared and does not
    distinguish between family visits, business travel, missionary
    groups, and leisure travel.  While the main hotels in Managua may be
    full, Gutierrez says they are not full of tourists.  Most travelers
    come to Nicaragua to conduct business, visit family, and/or
    participate in community service or international development
    projects.  Gutierrez reported that the tourism operators and
    businesses that cater to recreational or leisure travel are not
    doing well: sales are down 15-20% so far in 2008 when compared to
    ¶2007.

    ¶7. (SBU) Note: Post conducted its own informal survey on the status
    of the industry by talking to our contacts in Nicaragua's four
    primary tourist destinations: Granada, Leon, San Juan Del Sur in
    Rivas municipality, and the Barcelo-Montelimar Hotel in San Rafael
    del Sur municipality.  Owners and managers of restaurants and hotels
    consistently told us that, when compared to 2007, sales had declined
    by 15-20% during the first half of the year.  Some are cautiously
    optimistic that sales would pick up before the end of the year;
    others are hoping that they will break even and keep their
    businesses alive.  More than one U.S. investor has informed us that
    he is leaving the sector, citing poor market conditions and lack of
    government cooperation as causes.

    ¶8. (SBU) Gutierrez criticizes the GON for not allocating sufficient
    resources to promote Nicaragua as an international tourist
    destination.  INTUR's current promotion budget is a paltry $1
    million, paling in comparison to Nicaragua's neighbors: Costa Rica
    ($12 million), El Salvador ($10 million), Guatemala ($14 million),
    and Panama ($40 million).

    SCARE TACTICS
    -------------

    ¶9. (SBU) Raul Calvet, president of a tourism and real estate
    services firm, stated the GON's image is scaring away tourists and
    investors.  He noted that he has lost at least three multimillion
    dollar projects from U.S. investors this year as a result of
    ideologically-charged rhetoric coming from senior GON officials,
    especially President Ortega, against the United States, capitalism,
    and free trade.  This is coupled with the government's deliberate
    policy of developing closer ties with Iran, Cuba, Venezuela, and
    Russia.  He said that he takes several calls each week from
    potential tourists and investors from the U.S. and Canada to
    reassure them that Nicaragua is a safe place to travel, and to argue
    that the GON welcomes foreigners and their businesses.  He added
    that senior government officials appear not to understand the impact
    that their rhetoric and misguided policies have on Nicaragua's image
    and development.

    COMMENT
    -------

    ¶10. (SBU) The cautious optimism that industry representatives had
    voiced for Nicaragua's tourism sector earlier this year (reftel) has
    changed to serious concern about keeping their businesses alive.  No
    one in the industry expects the GON will take the necessary steps to
    resolve the sector's problems - i.e., to maintain a welcoming
    international image, promote Nicaragua as a tourist destination, and
    improve infrastructure, i.e., roads, power, and water.  Industry
    experts believe that Salinas, who privately owns a business that
    operates in the sector that he himself manages for the government,
    understands their concerns.  They do not believe, however, that
    other government officials, including President Ortega, believe the
    sector deserves more attention than it is already getting.  End
    Comment.

    CALLAHAN

`