UN Tourism and CAF Launch Indigenous Tourism Challenge for Latin America and the Caribbean

Indigenous tourism allows communities to feature and revitalize their cultures through authentic tourist experiences. It makes it possible for travellers to get to know native peoples, by experiencing first-hand their traditions, customs and ancestral knowledge. Through this type of tourism, Indigenous communities foster their autonomy and sustainable development, preserve their cultural identity and strengthen their role in the management of their heritage and tourism as an economic activity.

The challenge is designed to make indigenous tourism a key driver for economic development, while deeply respecting community autonomy, ancestral traditions and the natural environment on which Indigenous peoples' lives depend.

What does the challenge seek? The initiative focuses on projects that promote:

• Economic empowerment: Proposals that promote the economic autonomy of Indigenous communities, increasing their capacities to directly manage the benefits of tourism.
• Cultural preservation: Initiatives that safeguard traditions, languages, rituals, and other cultural expressions through tourism experiences that directly take communities into account.
• Gastronomy promotion: Activities that promote the culinary traditions of the region, with the participation of local producers and markets.
• Community innovation: Disruptive initiatives that add value to the tourism sector without altering the traditional way of life of communities and that take them into account.

Finalists will receive specialized mentoring, access to global networks in the tourism sector, and unique opportunities for international visibility. The winning project will receive investment backing of USD 10,000, as well as support to implement its initiative.

Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, highlighted: "The indigenous tourism that UN Tourism has been promoting for a decade is not only a way to promote the artistic and culinary expressions or knowledge of Indigenous peoples; it is also a tool to protect the traditions and ancestral wisdom that characterize the region. We encourage young people to come forward and lead the way for sustainable development in communities. Because the future of tourism is theirs, it is in our hands to ensure that the most human of economic sectors shines and flourishes".

Oscar Rueda García, CAF's Director of Tourism, said: "This is an invitation to undertake experiential tourism projects that make it possible to learn from the culture and knowledge of our 'elder brothers'. This living culture is a treasure of Latin America and the Caribbean given that we have more than 800 Indigenous peoples and their population is 10% of the region. The application period is open until 15 June and the presentation of the winner will be made on 9 August, the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples"

UN Tourism and CAF invite entrepreneurs, tour operators, community associations, and entities dedicated to the development of indigenous tourism to participate in this call and contribute to the strengthening of the sector in the region.