What bases have been taken into account for the creation or shaping of the scientific program?

We have tried to include important topics precisely to make tourism a source of development. Topics such as public-private partnerships, the role of artificial intelligence, tourism in cities and how to design serious, innovative and sustainable public policies.

We tried to choose relevant topics for this sector and, as it is the first time, obviously many topics were left out. But the idea is to make this event every year, that each time it becomes stronger, has more impact and can unite more people.

Is the goal for Miami to be not only the hub of the Americas in aviation and airport matters, but also a conference center?

Absolutely, for it to be the hub.... I don't know what the word is in English, conveners. To use our convening power, given our geographic location, to hold events of great importance. This one is about tourism, but we also do business events, political events and events on different topics throughout the year.

Among the speakers, how important was the selection of countries, personalities or professionals in each field?

As for the ministers, we invited all those from Ibero-America. As for the speakers, we focused more on their area of expertise, on what they can contribute to the topic. So the ministers were all invited; the speakers, not so much by region, but by their experience and knowledge.

The event also has the support of Florida as a state. The lieutenant governor participated this morning.

Yes, she did. One of the key elements she mentioned was education and training.

What is the Adam Smith Center doing in terms of training as a destination?

One of the main bases of the center is to train new generations and inspire future leaders to be public servants and, when they are public servants, to promote serious, responsible, pro-free market, pro-democracy public policies. It is a fundamental part of the center, and all the events we do always have the student very much in mind so that they are inspired and meet important people who are making decisions, and know that they can also do it in the future.

You talk about inspiration, and within the inspiration are the papers this morning and the ones that are having session this afternoon. Aviation continues to be a fundamental point in Miami, we have seen that. It is a hub, but not only that; it is a generator of employment and a driver of tourism development.

Absolutely. What we have seen is that many of the ministers have been particularly interested in aviation because they want their countries to have the connectivity they need so much to be able to develop their tourism in a significant way.

Miami is already a hub for communication, transportation, aviation, and without a doubt that makes it easier for people from different parts of the world to come to Miami, enjoy its tourist attractions and do business here.

Many ministers have clearly told us that they want their countries to have connectivity. In some cases, there are no direct flights between Miami and some capitals, and they are looking to improve that connectivity, not only for tourism purposes, which are important, but also to attract investors. It is difficult for an investor to go to a country with limited connectivity.

What is the main objective of this summit and what is its main goal? In view of the second year, I am talking about next year, what elements will be taken into account? What is the final objective?

We want to use our convening power to attract the most important decision-makers and entrepreneurs in the tourism sector to enter into an interesting dialogue to promote public policies oriented not only to tourism, but also to its role as a source of growth and economic development.

The idea is to begin to have important conversations with these decision-makers and entrepreneurs that will continue beyond the summit. We don't want them to stop here; we want them to exchange ideas, stay in touch and, in the next edition, report on the achievements of these connections.

Could we say that this summit is the turning point for regional cooperation?

I hope so, I hope it becomes that. There is a lot of talk about regional cooperation and there are many events where the subject is discussed, but the idea is to follow it up, not just to have interesting conversations, but to take concrete actions to take advantage of this opportunity.

It is not every day that ministers can meet with important businessmen, and it is not every day that we can position tourism as an example of growth and economic development in a city like Miami. Miami is a real example of how tourism can drive growth, becoming not only a tourism hub, but also a financial and strategic hub for the United States and Latin America.

Author: Verónica de Santiago

Caribbean News Digital