MEXICO CITY, Oct. 25(Xinhuanet)-- The tourism industry contributed a major part to the economic progress in Central America, the Central American Integration System(SICA) said in San Salvador on Tuesday.

The rapid growth of the tourism industry has directly or indirectly offered more employment opportunities, increased incomes and contributed to poverty reduction and economic and social development in the region, SICA Secretary-General Anibal Quinonez said at a reception of the Central American Council of Ministers of Tourism.

He pointed out that a total of 7.7 million tourists chose Central America as their destination in 2004, contributing an income of 4.2 billion US dollars to the region.

Statistics from the World Tourism Organization also indicated that in the first seven months of 2005, the income from tourism increased by 15 percent, higher than the 10 percent for South Africa. Enditem