Latin America trust the biosecurity in times of pandemic –especially in prevention and vaccination–; in sustainable development; in the value of SMEs and national and international investment, in this case Spanish, to recover from the serious tourism crisis caused by the COVID-19.
The XXV Ibero-American Conference of Tourism Ministers and Entrepreneurs (Cimet) was held this Tuesday, on the eve of the start of the Madrid International Tourism Fair (Fitur 2022), with the hope that it will be the year of recovery, despite the ups and downs epidemics, and definitive consolidation in 2023.
In a mixed face-to-face and virtual model, the ministers called for tourism investments in hotels and infrastructure with incentives for tax reductions and exemptions, as appropriate, in addition to citing the cultural, nature, adventure, leisure and wellness offer they offer.
In person, the Cuban minister, Juan Carlos García, valued the prestige of Spanish tourism brands in his country –for example, hotel companies–, and reviewed projects and opportunities “available” to entrepreneurs through new contract models that favor sustainable and inclusive economic and social development.
He attached great importance to health protocols and highlighted that 93% of the Cuban population is vaccinated against COVID-19 (with its own vaccines), and that there are hardly any restrictions, except for a vaccination certificate and a mask, and low levels of contagion and mortality.
For Guatemala, Mynor Cordón focused on biosafety, with measures agreed upon by the Central American Tourism Council and with the private sector, especially SMEs.
The Honduran Minister, Nicole Marrder, highlighted the “enormous potential for tourism development and the attractiveness for investment” of companies such as the Spanish ones. He noted a recovery in sun, beach and nature tourism, but not so much in urban tourism.
The Secretary of Tourism of Mexico, Miguel Torruco, assured that this sector is in the process of “frank recovery” in his country, although it has not yet reached the levels of 2019.
“Mexico continues to be a very attractive country for both domestic and foreign investment” by offering “profitable” and “successful” business opportunities, he said.
The minister of Puerto Rico, Carlos Mercado, said that the island is in a moment of transformation in tourism, hotel development and the celebration of international events, with 80% of those fully vaccinated.
However, the much more contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus has limited the cruise industry and commercial activity, he noted.
On behalf of Uruguay, Tabaré Viera, highlighted the democratic, social “stability” and “economic solidity” of the country, where national and foreign investment are treated in “equal” conditions and respond to the “national interest”.
Economic recovery and fight against poverty
In recorded interventions, the Brazilian minister, Gilson Machado, spoke of “all the potential” for tourism, of measures to reduce bureaucracy to enter, such as visa exemptions for some nationalities, and lower rates.
On behalf of El Salvador, Morena Valdez assured that the country is a regional “leader” in vaccination and, in this context, the tourism sector is “essential” and represents “a pillar for economic recovery.”
The Government is speaking, he explained, with the private sector to “strengthen investments” and with civil society.
The Nicaraguan minister, Anasha Campbell, referred to her country as an “emerging destination” and tourism as a “national priority” to fight poverty.
He said that it is the “safest country in Central America and one of the safest on the continent” and, in the context of the pandemic, it has obtained the “safe travel” seal from the World Travel and Tourism Council, with the hope, also, for the investment to grow.
For Paraguay, Sofía Montiel also emphasized that same safe travel certificate and sustainable development efforts in the face of inequality and climate challenges and social progress through “solid plans” to attract local and international capital.
Spain trusts Latin America
The Spanish Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fernando Valdés, defended the collaboration between Spain and Latin America in this field, and, especially, the participation of Spanish SMEs.
The tourism industry has shown that travel and security are compatible through health protocols, he said, while recalling that Spain is the leading investor of the European Union in Latin America.
Carlos Garrido, president of the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies, pointed out that the reactivation will go through Latin America as the main market and “best ally”.
And Iberia’s Sales Director for Latin America, Víctor Moneo, pointed out: “We are the natural bridge between both regions and we speak Spanish, the language that unites us. Working together we are stronger for a sustainable and innovative economy, fundamentally for tourism”.
The Nexo Group, organizer of the forum, announced the forthcoming creation of a large Ibero-American digital tourism platform.
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