Tourism is an economic activity of interest for the promotion of sustainable and inclusive growth; it represented 9.1% of world GDP in 2023 and is expected to account for 10% and 11.4% of GDP in 2024 and 2034, respectively (WTTC)¹. Faced with a scenario in which 90% of tourism activity in Latin America and the Caribbean has recovered by 2024 compared to 2019 (UNWTO)², the following aspects are considered to foster the resilience of the sector and meet a demand influenced by trends and new ways of experiencing tourism activities and attractions.

By offering picturesque destinations, cultural richness, diverse gastronomy, and hospitality unique to the region, tourism is given the opportunity to become a key sector to boost economic growth, create new jobs and develop new skills. Tourism promotes the production and consumption of local products and services, contributing to strengthening the economy. In this context, the member countries of SELA have implemented policies to support the tourism sector, which guide the diversification of the sector and its social and environmental sustainability; to ensure this, it is therefore essential that the growth of tourism in the region is supported by responsible and sustainable practices.

Accordingly, this Seminar considers evaluating public policies that have an impact on regional tourism. On the one hand, taking advantage of digital platforms for tourism, in which the use of technological tools has changed the way people travel and has transformed the sector, leaving aside a passive player that receives information, making the tourist a hyper-connected player, making the strategy of tourist attraction to be rethought, giving the opportunity to make the State an actor that provides an offer of options and attractions.

On the other hand, this activity aims to re-evaluate basic service infrastructure policies, since their improvement and implementation is beneficial for tourism development and directly benefits the quality of local life, influencing the economic development of the country. Finally, it seeks to promote community-based tourism, transcending the concept of regenerative tourism and the importance of conserving the environment for future generations. There has been a notable development of this economic sector, promoting the participation of rural communities in tourism and economic activities, preserving the cultural and natural heritage, and having an impact on poverty reduction.

In this connection, we hope to support the development and implementation of public policies that recognise and take up the new challenges posed by social, technological, and economic evolution, working to make them the result of the interaction of social stakeholders.

Latin America and the Caribbean has an immense tourism potential based on its natural and socio-cultural resources, which has allowed the region to develop public policies that promote sustainable and responsible tourism. By holding this Seminar, the Permanent Secretariat aims to generate meeting spaces with the purpose of fostering discussions and initiatives to expand links with countries that have demonstrated progress in this area, in addition to sharing experiences and best practices.

The event aims to identify and explore the trends surrounding tourism as an economic sector in Latin America and the Caribbean, promoting public policies that enhance the region as a tourist destination; to foster the well-being of the communities in the aforementioned regions, promoting the exchange of experiences that generate positive social impact, highlighting the obstacles that have been faced during their development, and recognising the economic, cultural and social benefits of tourism activity.

Public and private organisations in the tourism sector with an impact on the formulation, discussion and implementation of policies that encourage tourism activity in each country, as well as business and academic spheres whose activity is the promotion of tourism in the region.

The Virtual Seminar will be hosted by the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA).

Date: 27 June 2024
Time: 09:00 – 12:00 (Eastern Standard Time/EST)
Languages: Spanish with simultaneous interpretation into English and Portuguese.
Modality: The Seminar will be held virtually. Registration is free of charge.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/4bEiuP6

For additional information, please contact:

At the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA):

• Coordination of the Economic Recovery Area
  E-mail: recuperacion_economica@sela.org

• Alixis Mariño, Analyst of the Economic Recovery Area
  E-mail: amarino@sela.org

Panel of experts

• Support and creation of collaborative spaces for the promotion of public policies that have a positive impact on the region.
• Increased awareness of the challenges and obstacles in the tourism sector to promote initiatives and tourism destinations in the region.
• Sharing experiences, lessons learned, best practices, policies and procedures that promote tourism as an economic sector.