The Central American Parliament (Parlacen) has admitted the initiative for the Framework Law for the Promotion of Rural, Agricultural and Community Tourism for Central America and the Dominican Republic, with the objective of strengthening the economic and social development of rural areas, preserving the cultural and natural heritage, and promoting sustainable and responsible tourism practices in the region, authored by Dominican congressman Luis Coronado Suárez.
The proposed legislation responds to the need to manage this growth in an equitable and sustainable manner, extending its benefits to rural communities and promoting economic diversification.
Rural, agricultural and community-based tourism not only offers income and employment opportunities in historically disadvantaged areas, but also promotes the conservation of local traditions, sustainable agricultural practices and biodiversity.
Therefore, the legislative initiative establishes a framework for the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure, the active participation of communities in project management and the international promotion of authentic experiences.
“Rural, agricultural and community-based tourism represents a unique opportunity to positively transform our communities, ensuring that the benefits of tourism expand and contribute to the integral development of our towns, as it would contribute an even more complete and diversified tourism offer, taking advantage of the natural attractions, cultural riches and above all the hospitality of our people,” said Coronado Suárez.
He emphasized that “the objective of this proposal is to provide a more complete tourist offer, where for example a U.S. citizen and his family in their first opportunity can enjoy beach tourism, and in their next visit enjoy the natural and cultural riches of the rural area, and vice versa”.
The initiative to promote rural, agricultural and community tourism contemplates the creation of training and technical assistance programs for communities and entrepreneurs, as well as the implementation of fiscal and financial incentives for rural and community tourism projects, and the promotion of collaboration agreements between national and international hotel chains, along with rural and community tourism clusters, and also the promotion of public-private alliances for the development of sustainable tourism infrastructure in rural areas.
The draft legislation seeks to encourage the active participation of local communities in the development and management of tourism projects, ensuring that the economic benefits are expanded and contribute to the well-being of the community. The communities will have a voice in the planning and decision making of tourism projects.
The initiative also seeks to promote the advantages of rural, agricultural and community-based tourism nationally and internationally in Central American countries and the Dominican Republic, highlighting its benefits and the importance of sustainable and responsible tourism practices, as well as to develop marketing campaigns and communication strategies to attract tourists interested in authentic and sustainable experiences.
Source:Arecoa.com
