WTO gathers to discuss resumption of tourism in the Americas

Tourism Minister David Collado, along with 15 other U.S. tourism and vice-ministers set up partnership agreements and procedures to resettle tourism.

Monday, 10th May 2021

WTO gathers to discuss resumption of tourism in the Americas

Dominican Republic: Tourism Minister David Collado, along with 15 other U.S. tourism and vice-ministers set up partnership agreements and procedures to restart tourism in the region during a meeting convoked by the World Tourism Organization and chaired by its inauguration by Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic. Tourism leaders in the Americas are committed to jointly addressing the reactivation of tourism, making the sector a priority and adopting international protocols. In addition, they have agreed to emphasize innovation and digital transformation, develop sustainable tourism and strengthen support mechanisms for affected workers and businesses. At the beginning of the meeting, the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) praised Zurab Pololikashvili for the way in which the Dominican Republic handled the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized that 'restoring confidence in travel An important first step in the direction is tourism recovery, which gives millions of people in America's hope and ignites economic recovery in general. ” In his welcome to the Ministers of Tourism and representatives from across the Americas, President Luis Abinader emphasized the role of UNWTO as a catalyst for innovation and synergies and called on those present to strengthen themselves as a shared destination and as a region through unity, determination, focus and shared vision. Minister Collado emphasized that the tourism sector generates jobs for more than 500 000 families and contributes 15% of the country's gross domestic product. Similarly, he endorsed the commitment "with the Dominicans, with sector partners and with the millions of tourists eagerly waiting to visit and know the beautiful destinations in Dominican Republic." Among the most important topics of discussion were to re-establish confidence in travel, protect businesses and jobs, and ensure that the benefits of the tourism revival are felt outside the industry itself. The workshops were personally attended by ministers and deputy ministers of Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela, and virtually by government officials from Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia. , Chile, Nicaragua and Peru. The meetings were developed with the coordination of the host country by the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, with the participation of representatives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Association of Hotels and Tourism. of the Dominican Republic, including sectoral organizations. The summit ended with the signing of participants in the Punta Cana Declaration, which ensured the commitment of regional leaders to make tourism a pillar of sustainable development and an effective recovery plan to COVID.