The 68th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas brought together high-level delegations from 20 countries, as tourism leaders across the region committed to promoting ethical and inclusive tourism for economic recovery.
The meeting focused on shared priorities, including job creation, education, increased investment, and efforts towards sustainability and climate action.
Rapid Recovery Drives Tourism in the Americas
Tourism in the Americas has demonstrated a remarkable recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the UNWTO. By the end of the first quarter of 2023, international arrivals to destinations in the Americas reached 86% of pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, international seat capacity on planes in the region stands at 97%, nearing pre-pandemic levels.
Several destinations in the Americas have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels in terms of international arrivals. Noteworthy examples include Saint Maarten (+51%), El Salvador (+26%), Colombia (+18%), the Virgin Islands and the United States (+17%), Guatemala (+14%), Honduras (+13%), and the Dominican Republic (+11%). The strong demand from the United States outbound market has played a significant role in driving this recovery.
Commitment to a Sustainable Recovery
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the Americas for their rapid recovery and emphasized the importance of building a stronger, more resilient, and sustainable tourism sector that benefits people throughout the region. The Regional Commission meeting served as a platform to solidify this commitment.
Support from High-Level Leaders
Ahead of the meeting, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili met with Ecuador’s President, Guillermo Lasso, demonstrating the government’s strong support for tourism as a vital component of sustainable economic development. Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism from 15 countries also participated in the Commission meeting.
Key Achievements of the Commission Meeting
The meeting yielded significant outcomes that contribute to the advancement of the tourism industry in the Americas. These achievements include:
Legal Protection for Tourists: Chile, Costa Rica, Haiti, and Honduras announced their adherence to the UNWTO International Code for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark commitment aims to provide comprehensive and harmonized legal protection for tourists, increasing confidence in travel and transparency among tourism stakeholders. Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Uruguay have already adhered to the Code.
Establishment of a Tourism Law Observatory: UNWTO announced plans to create the first UNWTO Observatory on Tourism Law for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Tourism Education and Youth Empowerment: Member States received updates on UNWTO’s progress in these areas, including successful UNWTO Academy courses held in Argentina and Mexico and collaboration with the Universidad Anáhuac in Mexico to develop specialized tourism courses.
Tourism Investments: UNWTO produced Investment Guides for the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Paraguay, with plans for seven more guides focused on countries in the region. Additionally, a special Investments Seminar took place in Quito, and further collaboration with CAF, the Investment Bank of Latin America, was announced.
Collaboration for Sustainable Development: UNWTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Honduras to promote tourism for sustainable development.
Future Plans and Commitments
In alignment with UNWTO’s statutory obligations, the Americas agreed on the following plans:
- Argentina and Paraguay will serve as Vice-Presidents for the upcoming UNWTO General Assembly in October.
- The Dominican Republic will assume the role of President of the Regional Commission for the Americas for the 2023-2025 period, with Argentina and Paraguay as Vice-Presidents.
- Colombia and Jamaica will join the UNWTO Executive Council for the 2023-2027 term.
- The 69th Regional Commission meeting is scheduled to be held in Cuba in 2024, followed by Peru hosting the 70th meeting in 2025.
The UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas is dedicated to driving sustainable and inclusive tourism recovery throughout the region. The commitment and collaboration displayed during this meeting signal a positive path towards revitalizing the tourism industry and promoting economic growth for the Americas.
