Interview with Leudo González

Do you think that Venezuela, as an oil-producing country rich in natural resources, takes national tourism into consideration?

In the recent past, oil monoproduction has been a brake on the development of other sectors of the national economy. However, the current reality, as a result of the decline in national oil activity, encourages the government and the general public to look for viable productive alternatives in other sectors, such as tourism. We have even observed that national public opinion is favourably disposed towards the development of the national tourism sector. All these expectations must be accompanied by joint actions and synergies between the public and private sectors, in order to adapt the regulatory framework and public policies to ensure its viability.

Let's talk about tourism education. What do you think is the current situation in Venezuela when many of the great professors and researchers are no longer with us?

Certainly, the national education sector has suffered heavily from the consequences of what we call "The Venezuelan Diaspora", which is that large flow of national migrants dispersed around the world (the UN estimates it at 6.8 million, representing just over 20% of the national population). However, in the educational sphere of Venezuelan tourism, we have noticed that the possible drop in school enrolment has been offset by the interest that the tourism sector has awakened in the population, which is why many young people see it as their future. Another favourable aspect is the use of distance learning (online), which increases the offer of tourism studies at national and international level. What does concern us is the content of the designs and contents of the study programmes, which we think should be readapted to the current reality and favour the use of new information technologies, as well as the adaptability of the training programmes to sustainable development and the fulfilment of the SDGs of our activity. Hence the efforts of our business associations to improve the knowledge and quality of the personnel working in the sector.

What about tourism professionals in Venezuela, after many left for other countries, do you think there is a replacement of young people to fill the vacant posts?

Despite the paralysis of activities during the pandemic and the increase in the exodus of Venezuelans abroad, some tourism companies have found it necessary to train new personnel, either on their own initiative or through agreements with public and private tourism training institutions. However, it should be noted that the enthusiasm for the reactivation of tourism has also had a positive impact on the country's young population, particularly those in tourist areas, who are attracted by this productive sector.

Some news reports speak of large foreign investments in the tourism industry, what do you think about this?

Certainly, at the national level there are some foreign investments in the purchase and refurbishment of a few hotel facilities, as well as new projects. The attraction of foreign investment will be greater to the extent that the projects of the new Special Economic Zones and the Zones of Tourist Interest, which have Management Plans and Regulations for Use, are activated. However, it is necessary to offer institutional and fiscal incentives, legal security and better public services in the selected zones.

Do national entrepreneurs have the capacity to continue investing and improving the national tourism offer?

There is a Law on Tourism Investment and Credit for the Tourism Sector, which was a great support for the growth of the national tourism industry in previous years. This Law is not being activated at the present time, as the banks (public and private) do not have the capacity to lend. Current national investments in the tourism sector are made according to the financial capacities of the entrepreneurs, which determine the size of the investments and their tourism facilities.

How do you understand the phrase: "digitalisation of the Venezuelan tourism industry"?

That the massive use of communication technologies and digital transformation in the development of Venezuelan tourism is being promoted. This is partially true, since more and more tourism service providers are using not only social networks, but also information technologies to be efficient with their clients, as well as alternative technologies in terms of alternative energy generation and water production.

In this sense, do you think that the national authorities are working on this issue?

Yes, it is mentioned in the official discourse, but they are not consistent in their actions and support for the establishment of greater use. This type of change requires incentives to massively increase its use.

As president of Venezuela's main tourism business institution, how would you define relations with the national authorities?

Relations with national and regional authorities have improved and are cordial. We wish to establish a common agenda, which supports and consolidates actions that tend to favour the sustainable growth of the sector and the establishment of a series of public policies that fortify its development.

Gastronomy, culture, sun and beach tourism, and other types of tourism, what do you think are the pillars of the country's tourism offer?

Venezuela's wide and superlative diversity of landscapes, expressed in all its socio-cultural, historical and natural heritage.

As a great connoisseur of tourism in the country, what tourism milestones do you foresee for the coming months in Venezuela that will help promote the country as a tourist destination?

The opening and accessibility from the main sending countries in the region and Europe.

According to our president, Mr. Antonio Santos, a great friend of yours, you and the members of the CONSETURISMO steering committee form one of the most consolidated and prepared groups in Latin America, since few companies and institutions like the one you represent could have continued with the tourism activity after years as complicated as those experienced. What do you think are the keys to the resilience of Venezuelan tourism?

One of the characteristics that has stood out the most among Venezuelan tourism entrepreneurs is their stubbornness to remain in a sector as satisfying as tourism, and in which we have high hopes of turning it into a pillar of national development.

In the Tourism and Society Think Tank, we have almost 100 professionals from the Venezuelan tourism industry and some of them ask us why not to organise a "TSTT Meeting" in Venezuela, as has been done in Peru, Mexico, etc., to promote the country among the almost 100,000 registered professionals from all over the world. How do you think this idea could be developed, and would CONSETURISMO lead it?

Of course we would love to take the lead. We would feel very honoured to host such an event and it would also give us the opportunity to promote the benefits and attractions of our country to such a worldwide audience.

Finally, in a hundred words, why come to Venezuela?

Because Venezuela is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, and I am not saying this as a Venezuelan, but rather it is pointed out by prestigious publications worldwide.

Venezuela has a privileged geographical location in the north of South America, bordered by the Caribbean Sea. In fact, Venezuela has the largest extension of Caribbean coastline in the region and therefore, we have the most spectacular beaches on the continent. In addition, Venezuela is one of the most megadiverse countries on the planet with an endless number of species of flora and fauna and a large part of our territory is protected by special laws. Venezuela also has a great variety of tourist destinations ranging from our paradisiacal beaches to our unique region on the planet such as La Gran Sabana, where the highest waterfall in the world is located, the Kerepacupai Vena, better known as Angel Falls, our Andean region where it ends or begins, depending on where you look at it from, The Andes Mountains, with their immense mountains and eternal snow, our plains with their spectacular landscapes rich in native flora and fauna, to our Orinoco Delta, where our majestic Orinoco River flows into the Atlantic Ocean, ready to be discovered by tourists from all over the world. But Venezuela is much more than landscapes, flora and fauna. We offer the world our culture, traditions, folklore, gastronomy, historical and patrimonial heritage of which we feel extremely proud and perhaps the most important and special thing, our people, a melting pot of indigenous, black and Latin races, who have distinguished us for being a very happy and helpful people, ready to give their souls if necessary because here we are all brothers, even if we do not know each other the treatment is always familiar.

For this and many other reasons, coming to live the "Venezuela" experience has to be on the wish list of those who love to travel and get to know special places on the planet.

Thank you and best regards from the professionals and friends of the Tourism and Society Think Tank.