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Tourism ministers unite with UNWTO to kick start tourism in the Americas
Tourism leaders in the Americas committed to work together to aid a meaningful tourism recovery, making the sector a priority and adopting international protocols.
Additionally, they agreed to emphasize innovation and digital transformation and develop sustainable tourism.
Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili cited the way Dominican Republic has handled the response to the Covid-19 pandemic and ‘re-establishing trust in travel is a key first step towards tourism recovery.’
Among the main topics of discussion in Punta Cana included re-establishing confidence in travel, protecting businesses and jobs, and ensuring that the benefits of the tourism revival go beyond the industry itself.
The working sessions held in the Dominican Rupublic were attended in person by ministers and vice ministers of Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela, and virtually by government officials from Argentina, Barbados, Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, and Peru.
The meetings were developed with the coordination of the the Ministry of Tourism of Dominican Republic, with the participation of representatives of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ICAO and the Association of Hotels and Tourism of Dominican Republic.
Ministers signed the Declaration of Punta Cana which will make tourism a pillar of sustainable development to enable an effective long-lasting and equitable recovery plan post-Covid.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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