El Salvador's bitcoin bullishness has spurred a tourism boom since the country adopted it as legal tender, top minister says

• Since El Salvador adopted bitcoin as legal tender in September 2021, local tourism has jumped 30%.
• Now, as many as 60% of tourists are coming from the US, said Tourism Minister Morena Valdez.

Since El Salvador adopted $4 in September 2021, tourism has surged, Tourism Minister Morena Valdez told local news outlet $4.

The bitcoin $4 of the Central American nation seems to intrigue foreign visitors. After checking activity in November and December, she said tourism numbers showed a spike of more than 30%.

Before the bitcoin adoption, most tourists would visit from neighboring countries. Now, as many as 60% of tourists are coming from the US, Valdez said. And along with the jump in tourism, El Salvador has seen a steep influx in foreign currency, said added.

Since the country's bitcoin adoption, it has moved more aggressively into the cryptocurrency, led by $4, who has become known for trading bitcoin with government funds on his phone.

In November, he announced a "$4" in a partnership with digital asset firm Blockstream. According to Blockstream, El Salvador has already gotten $4for the bond. One financial executive likened the crypto offering to a "meme" bond," per the WSJ.

El Salvador also has plans to build the world's first "Bitcoin City" next to a volcano which is meant to facilitate geothermal energy for the project, according to Bukele.