Recommendations for the Design of Tourism Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean
Responsible Tourism
09-11-2023
Ernest Cañada & Érica Schenkel
Published
Summary
Despite the importance that tourism has come to acquire on the public agendas of Latin American and Caribbean countries, the outcomes have not led to improvements in the standard of living of their populations. For decades, there has been a widespread bid to boost inbound tourism and to promote the sector abroad as the main cornerstones of public policies in this field. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 brought to light the strong external dependence and vulnerability of this development model. Its difficulties in contributing to the achievement of certain professed objectives were also exposed, such as the goals of quality employment, a reduction in poverty, a raised appreciation of local heritage, environmental care and social development. The post-pandemic reactivation of tourism seems to have reinforced this model, accentuating the problems and risks that it involves. In this scenario, an alternative approach to public policymaking is needed, able to contribute to more inclusive, sustainable, solidarity-based models of tourism development.
References
Cañada, E. & Schenkel, E. (2023). Recommendations for the Design of Tourism Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Barcelona: Alba Sud Editorial, Policy Brief, 2.
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