Americas Tourism Summit 2024 Kicks Off in Miami
The Americas Tourism Summit 2024 opened in Miami, bringing together public and private sector leaders to address key challenges and strategies for enhancing tourism competitiveness across the region. This focus on competitiveness aims to attract visitors, boost revenue, and foster sustainable tourism development.
Florida exemplifies how robust tourism strategies can fuel economic growth. During the summit’s opening ceremony, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Núñez highlighted the state’s success in leading the nation in net migration, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Florida recorded over 34.6 million visitors in the third quarter of 2024, breaking tourism and employment records through policies that emphasize international promotion, infrastructure development, and private sector support.
“The public-private collaboration, key to our success, has allowed Florida to not only solidify its position as the top U.S. destination but also serve as a replicable model for other countries in the region,” stated Lieutenant Governor Núñez.
Panel Discussion: Public Policy in Tourism Development
Following the official inauguration, the panel “Public Policy: Its Role in Tourism Development in the Americas” brought together prominent leaders from the region. Moderated by Julio Orozco, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, the discussion explored how public policies can strengthen tourism as an economic and social driver.
Panelists included:
- Harris Whitbeck, Minister of Tourism of Guatemala
- Yadira Gómez, Minister of Tourism of Honduras
- Alejandra Durán, representing the Minister of Tourism of El Salvador
- Luis Carlos Reyes, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia
The panelists shared insights on fostering sustainability, competitiveness, and regional integration through strategic policymaking.
Honduras: Local Integration as a Competitiveness Driver
Honduras has adopted a territorial management approach to improve tourism competitiveness. The National Tourism Council of Honduras emphasized organizing businesses across 25 territories to enhance quality and privatization of tourism offerings. A prime example is the Copán region, renowned for its Mayan heritage but facing challenges in infrastructure and tourist services.
Ensuring authentic visitor experiences while fostering collaboration between small and large businesses has been pivotal. Additionally, the panel stressed the importance of safe, attractive tourism across Central America, leveraging cultural and gastronomic diversity through multi-destination projects.
El Salvador and Colombia: Innovative Policies and Talent Development
El Salvador has focused on human capital and digital transformation as cornerstones of its tourism strategy. Training programs, the integration of cryptocurrencies, and partnerships with the Inter-American Development Bank aim to bridge gaps and deliver high-quality tourist experiences. Gastronomic laboratories, connecting trained youth with opportunities in restaurants and hotels, have been a standout initiative.
In Colombia, the last two decades have seen a transformation in tourism, driven by tax incentives for hotel infrastructure investments. While these schemes have evolved, the country continues to prioritize development in remote areas with significant tourism potential. Colombia’s efforts include financing, workforce training, and promoting its creative economy, solidifying tourism as a comprehensive industry.
The summit’s first day highlighted the region's diverse approaches to bolstering tourism competitiveness, setting the stage for continued collaboration and innovation throughout the Americas.
