American nations committed to reenergizing tourism

Delegations from 20 hemispheric countries that attended the 18th Inter American Congress on Tourism sponsored by the Organization of American States (OAS) held last week in Guatemala, committed themselves to reactivating the region’s tourist industry, a sector destined to become one of its top economic engines.

Representatives agreed that counting on adequate financial outlay and overall structure, tourism could play a major role in the development of their nations.

Stats provided by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) indicate the continent reaped $140 billion worth of earnings out of international tourism for a 29 percent of the world’s total tally.

According to the WTO, the Central American region inched forward 9 percent for a similar figure to that before the 9/11 terrorist attacks that nipped growth in the bud.

Despite plunging 3 percent, the Caribbean is clearly snapping back. A similar picture is occurring in South America with such countries as Argentina and Brazil putting much better economic numbers on the board.

Luis Felipe Miranda, director of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute, pointed out the whole region is beginning to stage a comeback following the crisis generated by the terrorist attack in the U.S.

However, Mr. Miranda admitted the evolution of tourism is closely linked to the U.S. market, which –in his opinion- continues to be shocked.

In his remarks to the press, Mr. Miranda explained the congress fulfilled its goal of fostering the exchange of experiences with a view to put together an action package for the development of the tourist sector.

He added the actions are aimed at dealing with hot issues like air transportation safety, threats to the feasibility of the hospitality industry and both the social and economic impact of terrorism.

Mr. Miranda also said that Guatemala, as hosting nation of the OAS’s congress on tourism, attained the objective of “painting a much better picture of the country and stepping up effort to promote it as an interesting tourist destination.”