Hotel & Tourism Pulse: Paraguay’s hotel industry jumped 43% in the first half of 2026 year-on-year, with national occupancy averaging 61% and Asunción hitting 64%, driven by business travel and new destination hubs like Itapúa and Ciudad del Este. Payments & Digital Economy: Paraguay is projecting 39% growth in card purchases and 42% in online transactions in 2026, as electronic payments keep scaling fast and the government flags readiness for cybersecurity and infrastructure investment. Local Infrastructure for Industry & Mobility: MOPC announced August traffic diversions on the Luque–Asunción corridor (General Elizardo Aquino Ave) for stormwater drainage works, with lane closures and staged road reopening. Urban Greening & Supply Chains: Asunción’s Municipal Plant Nursery in Caballero Park is getting a major renovation tied to its 110th anniversary, aiming to boost production capacity for city landscaping and street planting. Agri-Food Heritage: A look at how Paraguay’s strawberry season in Areguá traces back to European cultivation routes and immigrant farming, turning a foreign crop into a local winter staple. Tech & Innovation Spotlight: The Paraguay Blockchain Summit 2026 in Asunción drew 2,000+ participants to discuss digital assets, regulation, and the future of Latin America’s digital economy. Regional Trade Context: Indonesia and Brazil are exploring an Indonesia–Mercosur preferential trade agreement, with Paraguay included in the Mercosur bloc.