Paraguay's hotel sector is expanding, with the arrival of international chains such as NH Hotels and Meliá, which have contributed to tripling the country's lodging capacity over the last decade. The Paraguayan Hotel Industry Association (AIHPy), which represents about 400 establishments, generates approximately 25,000 direct jobs and 90,000 indirect jobs, consolidating tourism as a strategic sector for the economy.
AIHPy President Juan Daneri supports the government's proposal to integrate the National Tourism Secretariat (Senatur) into the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), creating a new Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism. Daneri emphasized that tourism is a cross-cutting activity that drives gastronomy, transportation, events, and construction, and its integration with industrial and commercial policies could boost investments and territorial development.
Data from UN Tourism show that international tourist arrivals to Paraguay grew 46% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period the previous year. Currently, hotel occupancy in the country is about 61%, reaching 64% in Asunción. Daneri highlighted the need to improve air connectivity, infrastructure, and legal security to attract more investments and expand tourism to the interior.
Meanwhile, the Paraguayan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism Companies (Asatur) expressed caution regarding the merger. Its president, Rosanna Fustagno, stated that the entity still lacks detailed information about the project and advocates for preserving the progress achieved by the sector in recent years, since Senatur ceased to be a secretariat under the Ministry of Public Works and Communications.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Marco Riquelme leads the initiative, which had already been discussed with tourism sectors. The current proposal does not include the Vice Ministry of Mines and Energy, initially considered, focusing instead on integration among industry, commerce, and tourism.