Jacinto Santa María replaces Angie Duarte, who led the National Secretariat of Tourism since August 2023 and whose administration was marked by initiatives focused on modernizing the sector and strengthening Paraguay’s international tourism promotion. During her tenure, projects related to tourism innovation, regional positioning, and international certifications linked to the concept of smart tourism destinations were advanced.
The new head of Senatur stated that one of the main objectives of his administration will be to transform Paraguay into an attractive destination for major tourism investments. Among the goals outlined are the promotion of entertainment complexes, theme parks, and new projects capable of energizing the national economy and expanding the country’s tourism offerings. According to Santa María, Paraguay offers favorable conditions for attracting international capital thanks to its stability, natural wealth, and growth potential across different regions of the country.
The vision of the new minister aligns with President Santiago Peña’s strategy, which has consistently emphasized the need to project a modern and competitive international image of Paraguay. The government believes tourism can become a key tool for attracting investment, generating employment, and strengthening Paraguay’s presence on the global stage. In this regard, the administration seeks to promote the country’s national identity by highlighting elements related to culture, nature, and Paraguayan human capital.
Santa María assumes office with an extensive academic and professional background. He is a lawyer with postgraduate training in legal teaching and research, as well as specialized studies in strategic planning, international relations, political science, and defense policy. In addition, he has developed an important career linked to academic institutions, international organizations, and strategic development projects in Paraguay. Before taking charge of Senatur, he served as director and co-founder of Eco Reserva Mbatoví, one of the country’s most recognized ecotourism ventures.
His professional career also includes experience related to governance, international negotiation, and academic training in institutions across the United States and Latin America. He participated in specialized programs on national security and international relations at universities such as Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, and Florida International University. He also served as professor and executive at Paraguay’s Institute of Advanced Strategic Studies.
The Paraguayan government believes tourism holds enormous potential to diversify the national economy and strengthen sectors related to services, commerce, culture, and local production. In recent years, Paraguay has recorded sustained growth in regional tourism, particularly in areas connected to shopping tourism, ecotourism, and visits to historical and cultural destinations. Border cities, natural reserves, and emblematic sites form part of the national strategy to increase the arrival of international visitors.
The appointment of Jacinto Santa María as head of the National Secretariat of Tourism therefore represents a renewed effort by the government to position Paraguay within the regional tourism map. Authorities expect this new phase to help consolidate investment projects, strengthen tourism infrastructure, and project a more competitive international image of the country. The immediate challenge will focus on combining economic growth, sustainability, and cultural promotion in a global context where tourism continues to be one of the sectors with the greatest capacity for transformation and opportunity generation.
