Punta del Este, Uruguay, May 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The American members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) met to assess the current state of the tourism sector and develop plans for its sustainable future. The 67th meeting of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas brought together leading tourism industry representatives from across the region in the popular tourist destination of Punta del Este, Uruguay.

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Over two days, tourism ministers and other high-ranking officials, including private sector leaders and delegates from international organizations, reviewed the UNWTO's leadership in the tourism sector over the past year. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili's report focused on key international tourism trends and the organization's main priorities for the region, including its work in education and investment.

High-quality support from the hosts

Tourism has already proven its potential to initiate change and drive growth across America.

The regional commission was opened by Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou. Also present were Tourism Minister and host of the event, Tabaré Viera, and Foreign Minister Francisco Bustillo. The meeting took place just two weeks after Uruguay hosted a global UNESCO conference and underscores the country's commitment to multilateral cooperation and support for the mission and values ​​of the United Nations, which include tourism as a driver of development.

President Lacalle welcomed the UNWTO leadership and stated that tourism remains an important component of Uruguay's national economic policy. The Commission meeting highlighted "the importance of joint efforts by all stakeholders to revive tourism" both in Uruguay and throughout the region.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism has proven that it has the potential to drive change and growth across the Americas, and UNWTO member states in the region are leading the way in building a tourism sector that works for everyone and is centered on sustainability and inclusivity.”

Parallel to the Commission meeting, the two met behind closed doors to further deepen the already strong partnership between the UNWTO and Uruguay, an important ally in the region and promoter of tourism for development throughout the Americas, including through high-level multilateral platforms and organizations.

Minister Tabaré Viera emphasized Uruguay's commitment to reviving tourism and reminded participants that this first major tourism event in Uruguay since the start of the pandemic sends a clear signal beyond the region. The Minister also announced that Uruguay will join the UNWTO International Code on the Protection of Tourists, thus becoming one of the first countries worldwide to take decisive action to restore confidence in international travel. This underscores Uruguay's commitment to tourism and the safety of tourists.

Turning challenges into opportunities

UNWTO members discussed the key challenges facing tourism and the opportunities for recovery and growth. The member states' debates were complemented by special contributions, including presentations from the Latina Tower Tourism Promotion Centre for Latin America in New York City and the Latin American Development Bank (CAF).

CAF, the leading infrastructure investor in the region, addressed a UNWTO governing body for the first time, thus advancing the newly established partnership between the World Bank and the UNWTO. In parallel, a policy discussion on “Accelerating Recovery and Strengthening Resilience” benefited from the insights of leading figures from across the region.

Building trust

As part of the Regional Commission, members met for a seminar on the UNWTO International Code of Conduct for the Protection of Tourists. This landmark legal code, designed to offer tourists greater protection and thus strengthen confidence in international travel, was adopted by members at the UNWTO General Assembly in 2021. Ecuador and Paraguay, two countries in the Americas, have already begun steps toward its implementation into national law, and Uruguay will begin the process. UNWTO legal experts provided information on the status of implementation and the functioning of the Code, focusing on closing existing gaps in support for tourists in distress, while taking into account the lessons learned from the pandemic.

Next Steps

On the sidelines of the Regional Commission meeting, Secretary-General Pololikashvili met with Brazilian Tourism Minister Carlos Brito and subsequently separately with Guatemalan Tourism Minister Anayansy Rodríguez to discuss their countries' tourism sectors and opportunities for closer cooperation with the UNWTO during the post-pandemic recovery phase. Finally, the member states voted to hold the 68th session of the UNWTO Regional Commission for the Americas in Ecuador in the first half of 2023.