During the celebration of the First UN-Tourism Summit, which concluded yesterday in Punta Cana, an agreement was signed marking the beginning of a project to develop a sustainable tourism policy and strategy for the country.
The agreement was signed by the Minister of Tourism, David Collado, and the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Zurab Pololikashvili, with the presence of the President of the Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES), David Llibre, and Anabel Bueno, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to UN Tourism.
The alliance will promote the formulation of a sustainable tourism policy and strategy, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, a press release highlights.
It includes a comprehensive approach with capacity building, collaboration of key stakeholders, communication and innovation for the development of sustainable tourism throughout the entire value chain.
More than 30 countries
David Collado described the Africa-Americas tourism summit, which took place over three days in the country's main tourist destination and was attended by more than 30 countries from both continents, as a complete success.
He stated that during the summit, a consensus was reached on points of agreement and the challenges to be faced in promoting tourism between the two continents.
David Collado. (External source).
“These were very fruitful discussions that will have an impact on our tourism in the short, medium, and long term. Without a doubt, this Africa-Americas Summit could not have been more successful,” Collado stated.
Punta Cana Declaration
He stated that the Punta Cana declaration is a firm commitment achieved between the countries of Africa and America, which will help to jointly promote a South-South development agenda.
Collado also indicated that the countries participating in the summit committed to creating a joint investment agenda focused on achieving the sustainable development goals that have a direct impact on tourism.
“This is a milestone, because it will allow for a channel of cooperation that has never existed before, so that tourism can be the weapon that unites our peoples, so that we can develop cultural, gastronomic and ecological tourism agendas and so that our diversity and our similarities can be the fundamental support for the development of our peoples through tourism,” the Dominican minister told reporters at the end of the working sessions yesterday, Friday.
UN Secretary-General for Tourism
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili described the summit as a major meeting between ministers and other stakeholders in the sector, which will help to advance a common agenda between the two continents.
He understands that one of the priorities is to promote investment, since "without investment there is no tourism development.".
Pololikashvili thanked the Dominicans for their hospitality during this summit and highlighted what he defined as the great work of David Collado and his leadership in the sector at an international level.
For three days, representatives from 30 countries in Africa and the Americas participated in the summit organized by UN Tourism, at the initiative of the Dominican Republic.
