On Wednesday, the Dominican Republic assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Central American Tourism Council (CCT), in order to continue advancing in the strengthening of the regional guidelines established in this organization and also to achieve greater development of the tourism industry, which has a great impact on the economies of the member countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA).
The Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado, received this June 13 the flag of the Central American Integration System (SICA), a symbolic act that marks the official handover of the pro tempore presidency of the Central American Tourism Council (CCT).
Collado replaces his Panamanian counterpart, Iván Eskildsen, who gave a report on his achievements during his term and will remain in office for six months.
This is the third time that the Dominican Republic assumes the pro tempore presidency of the CST, at a time when the country was recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the first nation in the world to achieve the recovery of tourism after the pandemic.
The ceremony was held in the presence of his counterparts from Costa Rica, William Rodríguez; Nicaragua, Anasha Campbell; Honduras, Yadira Esther Gómez Chavarria, and Guatemala, Anayansy Rodríguez.
Also present were Eddy Herrera, from Belize, and Carolina Cena, from El Salvador.
Minister David Collado stressed the importance of working together for the development of tourism, which has become the lifeline of economies. “The time has come to make the most of the tourism potential that Central America and the Dominican Republic have,” said the Minister.
He pointed out that the member countries of SICA represent more than 60 million people, in a large economy of US 364 billion, and export more than US 60,000 million outside the region, or 1,000 dollars per inhabitant.
“We have 18 World Heritage Sites and almost 40 % of our forested area. We have everything the new tourist is looking for: culture, sustainability, diversity and good climate,” said Minister Collado.
Over the next six months, the regional agenda implemented by the Secretariat for Central American Tourism Integration (SITCA) and the Central American Tourism Promotion Agency (CATA) will be continued, with the faithful commitment to continue strengthening the pillars that support SICA, such as: Democratic Security, Climate Change and Comprehensive Risk Management, Social Integration, Economic Integration and Strengthening of Regional Institutions.
Also, under the slogan “Adapting regional integration to new challenges”, and in line with the strategic lines outlined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX), the Ministry of Tourism will support actions that stimulate and facilitate the sustainable development of tourism in Central America, sharing with the region our successful experience in the areas of Responsible Recovery of Post-Covid Tourism, Tourism Promotion and Marketing and Tourism Intelligence System.
