The Salvadoran Exporters Corporation (COEXPORT), the Salvadoran Chamber of Tourism (CASATUR), the Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), and the Salvadoran Tourism Corporation (CORSATUR) held a forum titled "Smart Expansion, Partnerships, and Franchises," an event that brought together approximately one hundred tourism industry professionals to learn about trends and opportunities in business expansion through strategic partnerships and franchises.

Globally, there are more than 90,000 franchisors, with 8 million franchised units and a market valued at $15 trillion. In El Salvador, 80 companies have adopted this model, solidifying it as an effective alternative for business growth and expansion. The forum also emphasized the importance of observing international trends and analyzing successful business strategies in other countries, as many of these can be replicated and adapted to the Salvadoran context. Among the participating Salvadoran brands were Restaurante Don Li, Mixheladas, and Corpobelo, who shared their experiences implementing the franchise model. The event featured a special presentation by Alfonso Riera, president of Front Consulting International (FCI), one of the world's most influential franchise consulting and marketing networks.

During the discussion, attendees learned key strategies for accelerating business expansion through strategic partnerships, a model that has gained significant traction in recent times. The importance of collaborative structures, such as corporations, partnerships, and franchises, was highlighted, as these have proven to be an effective way to consolidate businesses in highly competitive markets. The discussion also touched on how large companies are adjusting their operating models, creating opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to achieve a stronger market position. Furthermore, the importance of observing international trends and analyzing successful business strategies in other countries was emphasized, as many of these can be replicated and adapted to the Salvadoran context.

The event also identified emerging sectors with high expansion potential in the country and the region. Growth was highlighted in areas such as healthcare, telemedicine, nutrition, digital education, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, logistics, and low-cost tourism, all aligned with new market demands and consumer needs. The paradigm shift in the workplace was also addressed, with more and more companies opting for cooperative models and strategic alliances instead of traditional employment structures. Silvia Cuéllar, president of COEXPORT, emphasized the importance of franchises as an effective strategy for business growth, especially given their potential for expanding into international markets.

To support this process, COEXPORT offers a specialized program that prepares companies to convert their businesses into franchises and expand internationally. This program is developed in partnership with the expert firm Front Consulting Group, which has already trained more than 40 brands. Of these, four have already expanded to other countries, while six more are in the process of internationalization. Demand is significant, with interested parties ranging from Honduras to India. The discussion concluded with a call to entrepreneurs to seize expansion opportunities through innovative and sustainable models. The collaborative economy continues to set the pace for business growth in El Salvador and around the world, and events like this reinforce the importance of creating spaces for dialogue and knowledge exchange to boost the development of the business sector.