Colombia to Host Inaugural GSTC Latin American and Caribbean Summit on Sustainable Tourism

Colombia, known as the “country of beauty,” will host a pivotal gathering in Latin America and the Caribbean focused on sustainable tourism. The event, scheduled to take place in Santa Marta, Colombia, from May 27-29, aims to advance sustainability and regeneration within the industry by creating a strategic framework to enhance regional sustainable development.

The inaugural GSTC Latin American and Caribbean Summit will welcome delegations from over 20 countries to forge a cooperative network aimed at propelling sustainable tourism initiatives across the region. The summit, an exclusive event, is coordinated by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) in conjunction with the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, with funding from Fontur.

Collaborating on this initiative are several notable organizations, including USAID’s Destination Nature Activity Program, the Colombia Más Competitiva program—a joint venture between the Swiss Embassy in Colombia and the national government, facilitated by Swisscontact; and the Mayor’s Office of Santa Marta.

The Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Germán Umaña, celebrated that “Santa Marta has been chosen as the venue for the first summit that the Global Sustainable Tourism Council decides to hold in Latin America. It means that Colombia, the country of beauty, leads sustainable tourism initiatives in the region, being one of the few countries that implement a public policy in this area and to demonstrate that it is possible to make tourism an alternative for economic transition and the protection of nature”.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism plans to allocate approximately $650 million through Fontur to support the implementation of Colombia’s Sustainable Tourism Policy through shared experiences. These include developing a Tourism Climate Action Plan and endorsing the Glasgow Declaration, which sets targets to cut emissions by half by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions as early as possible, and no later than 2050.

The General Manager of Fontur, Álvaro Balcázar, said that “Santa Marta, as the venue of the First Latin American and Caribbean Summit, is undoubtedly the perfect scenario to promote the participation of tourism sector stakeholders who are committed to sustainability and responsibility through strategies that can improve both national and international connections”.

Santa Marta was selected as the venue for this summit due to the diverse tourism opportunities it offers, such as its two national natural parks (Sierra Nevada and Tayrona), Blue Flag beaches, mangroves, bird watching, hiking, culinary experiences, and its historic center, including the Ciudad Perdida, which stands as a testament to the region’s ancient cultures.

“The programmed activities include panel discussions on sustainable tourism, with the participation of countries such as Sweden, Switzerland, and Colombia, as well as workshops on conservation, climate change, and tourism with practical approaches to success stories such as Colombia, Ecuador, and the Republic of Palau. The conclusions and roadmap established at the Summit will be fundamental for future policies and strategies in the sector within Latin America and the Caribbean,” said Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

The Mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo Cuello, explained that “the fact that Santa Marta is the first venue for the Latin American and Caribbean Summit of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, with the participation of more than 20 countries, represents an invaluable opportunity to coordinate actions that promote sustainable tourism in our city. Santa Marta has great natural and cultural wealth, which makes it the ideal setting for this summit. I am confident that from here we will set the course towards a more responsible and sustainable tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean. The city will be an example of the teamwork that, together with the Ministry of Commerce through Fontur, is being carried out”.

According to José Domingo Dávila, Director of Indetur, hosting this summit underlines Santa Marta’s position as a prime spot for nature tourism and ecotourism, reflecting the commitment of Carlos Pinedo Cuello’s administration towards the sustainable development of the city, especially as it approaches its 500th anniversary.

Anupama Rajaraman, Mission Director of USAID Colombia, commented that, “for USAID and, in particular, for the Destination Nature Program, this summit is a vehicle to position our commitment to regenerative nature tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as to promote concrete actions, from a national public policy perspective, for tourism development in a way that contributes to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation”.

The opening session will feature prominent figures like the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Germán Umaña Mendoza; GSTC CEO, Randy Durband; USAID Colombia Mission Director, Anupama Rajaraman; USAID Destination Nature Program Director, Julián Guerrero; the Swiss Ambassador to Colombia, Eric Mayoraz, and the Mayor of Santa Marta, Carlos Pinedo Cuello. They will discuss their visions for a more responsible and sustainable tourism industry.

On May 28, the summit will conclude with the signing of a declaration on sustainable tourism for Latin America and the Caribbean at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. The following day, participants will visit Tayrona National Natural Park and the Katanzama Natural Reserve. These visits will highlight the region’s rich biodiversity and the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples, offering attendees a deeper understanding of local conservation efforts and the cultural values of the indigenous communities.

“For USAID and especially for the Destination Nature Activity Program, the ultimate goal of participating in and supporting this Summit is to foster coordination and collaboration among participating countries and organizations and to provide examples and inspiration, such as the projects carried out in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta that participants will learn first-hand, to promote the implementation of best practices in sustainable tourism. Likewise, we are convinced that within the framework of this event, there will be an important exchange of knowledge and valuable experiences in sustainable and regenerative tourism practices,” said Julian Guerrero, Director of USAID’s Destination Nature Activity Program.

Amalia Vásquez, Director of Swisscontact Colombia, said that “the Colombia + Competitiva program seeks, among other things, to implement best management practices for sustainable destinations and attract responsible tourism, both nationally and internationally. We are proud to participate in this meeting and raise our voices for more than 20 destinations in the country that, for the first time, will be heard at this Summit. We will provide valuable information and data from the destinations, regarding the implementation of sustainability criteria in tourism, promoting the development and preservation of natural and cultural wealth for future generations”.

This summit represents a significant step towards fostering a sustainable tourism future for the region, bringing together industry leaders and experts to discuss and plan the path forward. The summit will contribute to the sustainable development of the region by promoting responsible tourism practices, protecting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change.

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