Vice President Raquel Peña of the Dominican Republic described her country’s tourism industry as a model for the Americas at the first United Nations Tourism Summit for Africa and the Americas in Punta Cana. Mr. Peña emphasized the need to continue promoting policies that will take tourism to a higher level. The Dominican government is actively diversifying tourism services by incorporating health tourism, ecotourism, and enhancing real estate and services such as adventure parks, shopping, and gastronomic centers. These initiatives aim to expand the sector’s impact on the national economy.
Mr. Peña praised the role of tourism as a key driver of economic recovery, jobs and investment around the world. She acknowledged the efforts of Tourism Minister David Collard and praised the success of the Summit, highlighting that it is proof that positive outcomes can emerge when countries work together to grow and transform tourism. Organized by the United Nations Tourism Organization and led by the Dominican Republic, the summit aimed to foster South-South cooperation by fostering investment in education, culture and creative industries.
During this event, the Punta Cana Declaration was adopted, affirming the commitment of participating countries to strengthen sustainable development across Africa and the Americas. The declaration calls for increased investment in support areas such as tourism infrastructure, education, innovation and the creative industries. Over three days, ministers, industry experts and academics discussed sustainable tourism practices, investment opportunities and mutual growth strategies between the two regions, in line with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda. (https://dominicantoday.com/dr/tourism/2024/10/04/raquel-pena-dominican-tourism-is-a-model-for-the-americas/)
