The Tourism Summit of the Americas 2024 is inaugurated

02-12-24

Today, December 2, 2024, the Tourism Summit of the Americas officially opened at the Biscayne Bay campus of Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. This event brings together prominent leaders, experts and authorities from across the region to address the challenges and opportunities of the tourism sector in a context of global transformation.

The inaugural day began with a warm welcome to attendees and an opening session led by Julio Orozco, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala. Featured speakers at the session included Harris Whitbeck, Minister of Tourism of Guatemala; Yadira Gómez, Minister of Tourism of Honduras; Luis Carlos Reyes, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia; and Angie Duarte de Melillo, Minister of Tourism of Paraguay. In addition, key figures in U.S. academia and politics, such as Carlos Díaz-Rosillo, founding director of The Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom, and Jeanette Nuñez, Lieutenant Governor of Florida, also participated in the opening.

Highlights of the day included a keynote address by former Colombian President Iván Duque, who emphasized the role of tourism as a driver of sustainable regional development. David Whitaker, president of the Miami Beach Convention Center, addressed tourism as a driver of urban development, a particularly relevant topic for cities in the hemisphere.

The session entitled “Connectivity: Miami, Hub of the Americas,” moderated by Fernando Rojas, CEO of Agency BE, Miami, explored how airlines and airport infrastructure are transforming the traveler experience. Leaders from companies such as Delta Air Lines and Tocumen Airport shared strategies on how to strengthen regional connectivity.

The second day of the summit, scheduled for December 3, will be dedicated to emerging topics such as smart tourism, with panelists such as Javier Sirvent and Jimmy Pons, experts in artificial intelligence and tourism innovation. Regenerative tourism will also be discussed, led by Mario Socatelli, president of the REImagine Foundation, and Eugenio Yunis, president of the Smartrip Foundation.

One of the most anticipated moments is the presentation of rural development and cultural promotion strategies, such as the case of the Jesuit Route in Paraguay, highlighted by Margarita Ortiz Benítez. This example highlights how tourism can revitalize rural areas while preserving their cultural identity.

In addition to the academic sessions and panels, attendees will enjoy networking opportunities at activities such as the welcome cocktail reception and luncheons courtesy of the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom. These events strengthen collaboration between the public and private sectors, a fundamental pillar for the development of the tourism industry.

The summit will culminate with proposals to consolidate regional cooperation in the sector, including the creation of the Tourism Forum of the Americas, presented by Antonio Santos Del Valle, president of the Tourism & Society Think Tank. The closing remarks will be delivered by Francis Suarez, Mayor of Miami, and Kenneth A. Jessell, President of FIU.

The Tourism Summit of the Americas 2024 marks a milestone in regional cooperation, highlighting how innovation, sustainability and connectivity can redefine the future of tourism in the Americas. This event not only seeks to strengthen the sector, but also to promote a more inclusive and sustainable development model, capable of meeting the challenges of an ever-changing world.