ONU Turismo da a conocer los mejores proyectos de innovación turística comunitaria de las distintas regiones del país.
The "Innovation Challenge: Community Tourism: Colombia" was concluded during the 122nd session of the Executive Council. The challenge was launched to identify leaders and ideas that are helping to build an inclusive future for the sector throughout the region, and is organized with the collaboration of Colombia's Vice Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourism Fund (FONTUR).
The challenge aims to reach out to entrepreneurs, community-based organizations and Colombian companies committed to community-based tourism to work collaboratively on the development of projects that position Colombia as a leading destination in the field of community-based tourism, with a focus on sustainability and resilience.
The names of the winners of the challenge were announced at a special ceremony held in Cartagena de las Indias during the 122nd meeting of the Executive Council of UN Tourism:
Category 1: Rural and urban communities: Comunidad del Encanto (Boyacá): Connects eight communities through gamified tourism experiences.
Category 2: Women and youth: Lunaris (Nariño): Highlights the beauty of the El Charmolan Nature Reserve through conservation and visual storytelling.
Category 3: Ethnic communities: Chiritour (Chocó): A cultural journey highlighting local traditions along the Atrato River.
Category 4: Communities building peace: Museum of Art and Memory (Bolivar): Space for reflection and empowerment through textile art.
Category 5: Companies promoting community-based tourism: Check: Offers sustainable travel experiences in 15 destinations, supporting local communities.
UN Executive Director of Tourism, Natalia Bayona, noted that "community-based tourism is empowering people from all backgrounds, including women, youth and post-conflict social groups. These examples showcase Colombia's best projects and leaders, making it clear that innovation can drive the creation of opportunities."
UN Tourism leads policies and projects in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations. Through its Department of Innovation, Education and Investment, it has developed 7 tourism entrepreneurship competitions (UN Tourism Startup Competitions), 6 Innovation Challenges (UN Specific Challenges) and numerous tourism innovation and technology forums (UN Tourism Tech Adventures), creating an Innovation Network that encompasses more than 7,000 entrepreneurs, 500 companies, 400 public institutions, 250 educational centers, 40 incubators/accelerators and 290 investors. This vibrant connection has generated more than US$74 million in funding for new businesses.
A new report released today by Amadeus in collaboration with UN Tourism reveals continued growth in demand for travel to destinations across the Americas, despite economic and geopolitical challenges.
According to data from Amadeus' Navigator360™, North America continues to be the most popular and searched for destination in the region, seeing 13% growth in September to December compared to the same period last year. Central America has seen similar growth (12%) as travelers look for sun.
The third report in the series, Travel Insights: Focus on Americas, September to December 2024, highlights the top travel trends for the region and is designed to support National Tourism Administrations (NTAs) and National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and private sector companies to drive tourism in their regions.
UN Tourism is pleased to once again partner with our Affiliate Member Amadeus to provide key insights on travel trends to the Americas
The top 10 most searched destinations remain the same as in 2023, with the U.S., Canada, and Mexico topping the list. Demand for beach destinations over the holiday season continues to trend, as searches for Mexico stand out with 19% growth for the period analyzed. The highest growth rate in destinations was seen by Chile (29%), followed by Colombia (27%), and Peru (24%).
The report reveals some insights into the subregions for the final four months of the year:
A noteworthy trend can be seen in the resurgence of Chinese travelers, largely due to the improved air connectivity and the easing of travel restrictions. When looking at North America, China is in the top 30 origin markets based on search volume, with a 53% growth in travelers searching for trips to the Americas compared to 2023. Japan saw a similar significant growth rate of 40%.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism says, "UN Tourism is pleased to once again partner with our Affiliate Member Amadeus to provide key insights on travel trends to the Americas. The data on searches and bookings provides an essential tool for all stakeholders in the region and enhances data driven sound strategies for tourism."
Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, says, "I am optimistic to see the continued demand for travel in the Americas region. This third Americas report in partnership with UN Tourism has continued to show the role and impact of data insights to help destinations promote and target the right travelers. Having transparency on where people are searching to travel gives destinations the power to launch campaigns to capitalize on this interest."
UN Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism of Paraguay have released a groundbreaking report on the role of women in the tourism sector. The study was presented ahead of the First Regional Conference on Women’s Empowerment in Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Asunción, Paraguay, on 21-22 October.
In addition to providing an overview of the contribution women make to tourism globally, the paper highlights the importance of women's participation in driving sustainable, inclusive transformation in the sector.
Among other points, this new report highlights:
Latina women are the sector's driving force in the region, and this study makes concrete suggestions for promoting greater equality and women's participation in tourism
Apart from highlighting the positive aspects of the tourism sector for women in the region, the study also highlights the challenges they face. Among others, it highlights the job insecurity that flows from unregulated employment, and which mainly affects women. This instability makes it more difficult for women to access financing, social security and the labour rights that come with a decent, regulated job. Another fact that emerges from the analysis is that women are a minority in decision-making positions in tourism ministries, where they represent only 25%. They are also under-represented among tourism business owners and in positions of responsibility in general.
The Asunción conference, which marks an important step towards gender equality in the tourism sector, brings together representatives from various Member States, women leaders in the tourism sector, as well as gender and tourism experts to discuss the findings of the report, and to share best practice from such initiatives in their own countries.
The event also includes roundtables and workshops to enable participants to explore strategies for implementing the report's recommendations and encouraging improved working conditions, as well as getting more women into leadership positions in the tourism sector.
"Tourism has enormous potential for women's empowerment, especially in the Latin American and Caribbean region," said Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism. "Latina women are the sector's driving force in the region, and this study makes concrete suggestions for promoting greater equality and women's participation in tourism – a key sector for economic development in many countries."
The First Lady of Paraguay, Leticia Ocampos de Peña, invited all Paraguayan women to the event, which she said was very important because it seeks to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in the tourism sector, adding that "it will be an opportunity to promote the exchange of knowledge, for the implementation of policies with a gender perspective; to learn, grow and promote inclusive tourism."
For her part, the Minister of Tourism of Paraguay, Angie Duarte, highlighted the significance of SENATUR and UN Tourism's work in bringing together women from the national tourism sector, and thanked the First Lady, Leticia Ocampos, for her keen support for the initiative, which seeks to address gender inequalities within the sector and facilitate more opportunities for women's empowerment.
"This is a key moment to highlight the importance of women in the global tourism industry, and I invite all those women who are working for their own personal development and that of their communities to join us in this transformative event. Together, we can build a more equitable and prosperous future for all," she added.
For more information about the study, please visit the eLibrary or contact ecsr@unwto.org.
To watch the live webcast of the second day of the conference, please visit the event page
Tourism leaders from both Africa and the Americas have jointly committed to working together to make the sector a pillar of collective sustainable and inclusive development across both continents.
The “Punta Cana Declaration” was adopted at the conclusion of the very first joint meeting of UN Tourism’s Regional Commissions for Africa and the Americas and followed two days of shared dialogue around the key themes of education and investments into the sector. Recognizing the historic ties between the two regions, as well their unique and complementary cultures, the Summit served as a landmark platform for strengthened cooperation, capitalizing on innovation, education, investments and creative industries for the future development of tourism.
This summit offers a unique platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two regions
Welcoming around 200 high-level participants among them 14 Ministers, representing 27 countries (15 from the Americas and 12 from Africa), UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: "This summit offers a unique platform to forge connections and build bridges between Africa and the Americas, create strategic cross-regional partnerships, foster South-South cooperation projects, all for the benefit of the tourism sector of the two regions."
Joining the UN Tourism leadership in welcoming delegates and encouraging the building of bridges between the two regions were David Collado, Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Dominican Republic, Chair of the Regional Commission for the Americas, and Auxillia Mnangagwa, Patron for Tourism in Zimbabwe, the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
UN Tourism Executive Director Natalia Bayona said: "Africa and the Americas are endowed with rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and profound historical connections. Yet, we recognize that due to multiple challenges—such as limited connectivity, regulatory and administrative barriers, and a lack of mutual market awareness—our cross-tourism relationship is not as strong as it could and should be.
Our goal today is to address these challenges head-on, fostering collaboration that will drive economic development, promote cultural exchange, and encourage sustainable practices benefiting all our communities."
As a clear signal of South-South cooperation, the Punta Cana Declaration set out a set of shared commitments for the development of tourism as a driver of inclusive development. Through the Declaration, tourism leaders from both regions recognize the important need to "intensify joint efforts to promote sustainable development" through tourism, with a firm focus on "strategic investments, education, innovation and the creative industries".. Embodying the spirit of the landmark Punta Cana Summit, the Declaration also emphasizes the importance of tourism as a tool for the preservation of shared and unique culture and heritage.
The signatories of the Declaration signalled their intention to "redouble their efforts", most notably in the following areas:
In line with UN Tourism's wider focus on investments in tourism, the Summit brought together public and private sector leaders, alongside key representatives of financial institutions to assess the current landscape and trends and outlook for Africa and the Americas.
The high-level speakers noted the huge potential for joint investment initiatives between the two regions, emphasizing the growing role of public and private banks. The Summit also focused on the vital importance of investments for driving the green transition of tourism in both Africa and the Americas, most notably in infrastructure and in the hotel sector.
Alongside innovation, the Summit also placed the spotlight on education and training, noting the urgent need for skilled workers in both regions. With the focus on "Young Talents Leading the Transformation, tourism leaders recognized the need for joint capacity-building initiatives, curriculum development, and partnerships between academic institutions, industry stakeholders, and governmental bodies.
