Interview with Leticia Gómez

What does the Venezuelan tourism industry offer to the social, economic and cultural development of the country?

As expressed by our president, Nicolás Maduro Moros, tourism is the secret weapon for the economic and social development of the country, an engine that activates the diversification of the productive apparatus, as well as reaffirming the idiosyncrasy of the Venezuelan people before their own and other people's eyes. Our industry is an important source of direct and indirect employment, as well as generating economic resources, promoting local enterprises, strengthening recreational, leisure and tourism-related services.

And what does Venezuela offer international tourists?

One of the successes of President Nicolás Maduro is the establishment of an international policy of respect for the sovereignty of peoples, framed in a diplomacy of peace. This has contributed to the establishment of excellent political and commercial relations with sister countries such as China, Russia, Belarus, Belarus, Turkey, Iran, Bolivia, Cuba, Poland, Vietnam, Colombia, among others. Nations that have expressed interest in creating and implementing agreements to promote tourism between our peoples. Venezuela offers foreign tourists a megadiverse, peaceful, inclusive and safe territory, with excellent hotel services, transport and recreational alternatives, at competitive prices.

Do you consider that the pandemic has introduced relevant changes in the behaviour of tourists and travellers arriving in Venezuela?

Of course, in this context, sustainable tourism has become a priority, by virtue of which we have promoted proposals that take into account the economic, social and environmental repercussions - current and future - in order to satisfy the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and the host communities. Today, tourists are looking for tourism where contact with nature prevails, safe tourism, contemplation, adventure, ecotourism (such as birdwatching), among other options, and our country offers alternatives in this sense.

Do you think that the national tourism industry is making efforts to provide creative and innovative solutions for international tourism promotion?

Definitely, yes. The regions are working together to achieve this. For example, at FITVen 2022, the states had the opportunity to present their potential and attractions, tourist routes and circuits, as well as their promotional campaigns, reinforcing the work that is being done with the state fairs, where the national government, through MINTUR, the regional and municipal governments, the community, businessmen, artisans and entrepreneurs have joined forces to jointly carry out actions that enhance this sector.

Similarly, tourist routes have been certified, public and private commercial initiatives have been promoted in the sector, as well as related service companies, improvements have been made to recreational and leisure infrastructures, roads and highways, and technical roundtables have been held to guarantee the necessary public services to develop this important activity and to project the different destinations in the national and international markets.

As director of the fair, what has been the evolution of the fair during these years when the situation of the country and the impact of the pandemic have been so important?

Since its beginnings, FITVen has been strengthened as an event of international relevance in the world of tourism, with each edition increasing the number of participating countries and the number of exhibitors linked to this important sector. Beyond its character as a showcase for the promotion of tourism destinations, the fair has been consolidating itself as a business centre for national and foreign investment. The pandemic has left us with a new way of doing tourism, where the technological aspect has been significantly incorporated into its dynamics. In fact, we have held virtual meetings beforehand, which allowed us to make progress in the possible negotiations that took place at this fair.

What sets FITVen apart from other regional fairs?

FITVen 2022 was characterised by a varied and attractive agenda that included:

• National Business Roundtables

• International Business Roundtables with the participation of 130 tour operators from more than 20 countries.

• Presentation of the Exportable Supply Catalogue and the Tourism Investment Catalogue.

• B2B meetings

• Presentations of destinations (Venezuela, Russia, Cuba, Peru, Poland).

• Signing of agreements and conventions

• Symposiums, Conferences and Talks, aimed at disseminating and raising awareness of tourism, with panels on six thematic areas that included Tourism Management and Innovation for Sustainable Development, Rethinking Tourism, the Potential of Avitourism, and Community Tourism.

• Exhibition area, with 102 exhibitors and 171 stands, including hotel companies, tourism agencies, tourism sector associations, public companies (such as CANTV, Venetur, Ventel, Sogatur), tourism corporations, municipal tourism institutes, and official representations.

• The states had the opportunity to present their potential and attractions, tourist routes and circuits, as well as their promotional campaigns, reinforcing the work that is being done with the state fairs, where the national government, through MINTUR, the regional and municipal governments, the community, businessmen, artisans and entrepreneurs join forces to jointly carry out actions that enhance this sector.

• Gastronomic Pavilion, with representations of states, countries and companies in the sector, with live cooking and the presentation of little cooks (an initiative aimed at children promoted by MINTUR).

• National cultural presentations, where each state had the opportunity to exhibit its varied folkloric manifestations. The same was done by the countries invited to the fair.

• Fam trip to international tour operators and diplomatic representatives accredited in the country.

What do you consider to be the main challenges facing Venezuelan tourism when developing international marketing campaigns?

We are a Land of Grace, characterised by its biodiversity, variety of destinations, with a valuable ecological reservoir and an enviable geopolitical position, which together with our people's vocation for peace and hospitality, are Venezuela's best calling cards. To this end, we are working with the communicational elements of the country brand, reinforcing the positive features of our national identity by implementing an advertising and marketing campaign.

Dear Ms. Gómez, thank you for your time and kindness, and we hope to enjoy very soon a country that always surprises as Venezuela.