Interview with Pablo Menoni
Minister of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Pablo Menoni
Minister of Tourism of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Pablo Menoni, born in Salto and resident in Montevideo, is an electrical engineer graduated from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of the Republic in 2000, and obtained a master's degree in Electrical Engineering in 2018.
He has more than two decades of experience in the telecommunications sector, serving in various positions of responsibility at Antel, where he was Innovation Manager and Research and Development Manager. In addition, he was an instructor for the International Telecommunications Commission of the OAS (Citel) in technology refresher courses, Internet of Things (IoT) and Telemedicine.
In recent years, he has managed projects for the development and implementation of innovative products based on data acquisition and management, such as SmartMetering, connected vehicles, telemedicine and IoT connectivity.
He holds a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of the Universidad de la Repùblica.
His master thesis focused on espionage and security.
In July 2021, the Mayor of Montevideo, Carolina Cosse, appointed him director of the Transport Division of the Municipality of Montevideo.
Since you recently took office as Minister of Tourism, what are your three main priorities for the development of the tourism sector in Uruguay in the short and medium term?
First, and in line with the programmatic bases with which we presented ourselves to the population, to strengthen social tourism. To this end, we are going to start by convening the National System of Social Tourism, in accordance with Law No. 19253, on the Regulation of Tourism Activity. We believe that social tourism, focused, at least at the beginning of the administration, on the elderly, goes hand in hand with a seasonal imprint of tourism, which is also mandated by the programmatic bases.
Secondly, we have challenges regarding support for SMEs. We are talking about 30,000 SMEs linked to tourism and only about 3,000 registered with the Ministry. We have a great opportunity there to support them, based on the following premises: the improvement of the tourism offer, the deseasonalisation and the generation and protection of sources of employment.
And, of course, the promotion of inbound tourism, which is the country's main source of foreign exchange. This implies a great effort of articulation with the private sector and the public sector, which we have already begun, where we intend to use tools such as artificial intelligence to make the use of resources more efficient.
Tourism has been a key driver of the Uruguayan economy. What measures do you plan to implement to strengthen international tourist arrivals and boost domestic tourism?
Essentially what I mentioned in the previous question: public/private, public/public articulation, with the understanding that there is enormous scope for the Ministry of Tourism to lead the orderly management of promotional and stimulus actions for both demand and supply of Uruguay's various tourism products.
We are also reviewing, together with the Ministry of Economy, the tax exemptions to stimulate demand that we understand can contribute in this sense.
We will also seek to improve connectivity, especially in the Uruguay area.
Uruguay has been committed in recent years to sustainable and socially committed tourism. How do you plan to balance the growth of tourism with the conservation of the environment and natural resources?
Very simply, on the premise that tourism is either sustainable or it is not.
Technology and digitalisation have changed the way people choose and experience destinations. What strategies will you promote to modernise tourism promotion and improve the digital experience of travellers?
As I said before, relying on tools such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, among others, to improve the tourist experience.
Uruguay has a lot to offer, a lot to tell, with a very rich culture, and digital tools can help us to live the experiences even before arriving.
With a strategic vision and a deep commitment to sustainable development, Pablo Menoni makes it clear that tourism in Uruguay is not only a key source of income, but also a tool to strengthen cultural identity and the well-being of communities. His vision aims at a country more connected to the world, but without losing its roots and values.
Between challenges and opportunities, the Minister underlines the importance of innovation, regional cooperation and care for the environment as fundamental pillars of the sector's future. With enthusiasm and responsibility, Menoni invites to rediscover Uruguay: an authentic, diverse and constantly evolving destination, where hospitality is part of the national soul.
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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