XETULUL: NEW US$45 MILLION THEME PARK.

A new theme park will open in Guatemala in the 2002 at an approximate cost of US$45 million. IRTRA, the Guatemalan Recreation Institute for Private Sector Employees, founded 30 years ago, has decided to build this major project:

IRTRA is a private businesses with member companies

paying a monthly fee in order to develop recreational projects for their employees. The first project was a Club House in Guatemala City with a swimming pool and some children groundplay. Years later, they built a Water Park in the rural area, called Xocomil, in the Department of Retalhuleu, which now includes a hotel (443 rooms), bungalows, suites and water playgrounds. These two projects are operating very successfully;

A new phase has been programmed. IRTRA will build a new the theme park named Xetulul, in the same city of Retalhuleu where the Xocomil Water Park is located. Under construction is the sector dedicated to Guatemala, which will include exhibits about its past, present and future. This part will include stores, restaurants, museums and a traditional fair. Other countries (Spain, Italy, Germany and France) are cooperating in the project. Firms interested in participating in this project with playground equipment, restaurant and hotel equipment and supplies, franchises, as well as any amusement park related goods, should contact: Mr. Ricardo Castillo Sinibaldi, President, IRTRA, 6 Calle 10-36, Zona 2, 01002 Guatemala, Guatemala. Tel: (502) 254-1757. Fax: (502) 254-1758. E-mail: irtra@infovia.com.gt. U.S. firms may also contact: Ana Maria de Solares, Industry Trade Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Embassy Guatemala, Unit 3306, APO AA 34024. Tel: (502) 334-8479. Fax: (502) 331-7373. E-mail: ana.maria.solares@mail.doc.gov