On September 9th, 2024, the United Nations (UN) made a significant move towards bolstering the tourism industry in Latin America and the Caribbean by inaugurating its first thematic tourism office in Montevideo, Uruguay. This office, known as the Observatory, will be dedicated to legal issues within the tourism sector. It represents a critical step towards improving and harmonizing tourism regulations across the region.
The Observatory is designed as a collaborative platform where public, private, and academic sectors can come together to share best practices and discuss legislative trends in tourism. It will serve as a hub for information and knowledge exchange, facilitating a more cohesive and effective legal framework for tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Uruguay’s President Luis Lacalle Pou, United Nations Resident Coordinator Pablo Ruiz, Minister of Tourism Eduardo Sanguinetti, and Senator and former Minister of Tourism Tabaré Viera. Additionally, key representatives from UN Tourism, including Regional Director for the Americas Gustavo Santos and Legal Counsel Alicia Gómez, were present. Representatives from various countries within the region, including Brazil, Spain, Chile, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico, also participated in the event. Esteemed jurists and academics from across Latin America and the Caribbean were also present, showcasing the Observatory’s commitment to academic collaboration.
The Observatory, a joint venture between UN Tourism and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), will implement an innovative digital tool called “TurismoLex”. This comprehensive platform will function as a database for tourism legislation across the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. It will also offer a virtual classroom, a community of practice, and indicators for regulatory quality, all designed to improve the coherence and effectiveness of tourism laws.
The Observatory is expected to be a valuable resource for governments, policymakers, and the tourism industry. By harmonizing legal frameworks and promoting regional cooperation, it aims to drive sustainable tourism development and encourage cross-border collaboration in tourism regulation. The Observatory will also work closely with higher education institutions to conduct research, produce technical reports, and form working groups focused on Tourism Law.
Slated to begin its operations in early 2025, the Observatory will prioritize the improvement of tourism regulations. It will serve as a technical forum for issuing reports and studies, enabling governments and administrations to develop legislation that meets the needs of the tourism sector. This initiative is also expected to facilitate regional cooperation and harmonization of legal frameworks across the region.
Uruguay was chosen to host the Observatory’s headquarters after receiving unanimous support from the Members of the Americas region during the Regional Commission meeting held in April 2024 in Varadero, Cuba. The proposal was officially approved at the 121st session of the UN Tourism Executive Council in Barcelona on June 11, 2024. The final ratification is set to occur during the 26th session of the UN Tourism General Assembly.
