- For the first time, Costa Rica will host the Social Tourism Encounter of the Americas from June 12-15.
- The official announcement was made at the Costa Rican stand at Fitur in Madrid, Spain in the presence of world leaders in social tourism.
For the first time, Costa Rica will host the 2019 Social Tourism Encounter of the Americas from June 12-15. The official announcement was made at Fitur, an international trade fair being held in Madrid, Spain. Costa Rican Minister of Tourism Maria Amalia Revelo made the announcement alongside officials from the International Social Tourism Organization (ISTO), represented by Inés Ayala Sender, ISTO President, Sergio Rodríguez Abitia, President of ISTO Americas and Verónica Gómez, Director of ISTO Americas.
According to the Encounter’s organizers, the main goal of this meeting is to share the vision for twenty-first century tourism that ISTO has been promoting and implementing through its global partners. This event also sets out to create an additional space for the exchange of ideas, models and strategies through collaboration and innovation to promote and develop social tourism throughout the Americas and in Costa Rica.
Minister Revelo noted that she was extremely pleased to welcome this continent-spanning event. “In Costa Rica, we are developing a social tourism model with integrity that seeks to have a positive impact on everyone, no matter their social status, nationality or age, so that they can enjoy and access the sustainable tourist attractions of our country”.
ISTO President Inés Ayala Sender remarked on the importance of promoting social tourism in every country in the Americas, with the aim of bringing the public into contact with spaces that create well-being. She also highlighted the ways in which the tourism industry has a social responsibility that it has to meet with initiatives organized systematically throughout the countries of the Americas.
Previous meetings have been held in Montreal, Mexico City, São Paulo and Santiago.
The meeting that will be held in Costa Rica is divided into three different periods, each one with a focus on raising awareness and adopting best practices in social tourism. These practices emphasize solidarity and sustainability and are currently being applied in some countries in the Americas. In addition, a seminar will be held entitled “Tourism and sustainability: rights, access and current challenges for Social Tourism”. The ISTO Annual General Meeting will also be held, along with a series of expert visits to interested companies that will showcase successful social tourism experiences in Costa Rica.
Social tourism blooms in Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, social tourism is seen as a universal right that guarantees access to rest, recreation, leisure and free time with suitable economic conditions, accessibility, security, comfort and quality for populations who are experiencing social and economic vulnerability.
“Social tourism is a tool that will allow many more citizens to experience tourism through national programs that facilitate these activities. They improve citizens’ quality of life through enriching experiences in sustainable destinations throughout the country. In addition, it offers tourism companies the opportunity to provide an important social service”, Revelo concluded in her remarks at the official announcement in Madrid, Spain.
The announcement, held in the Costa Rica stand at Fitur, was attended by other authorities in sustainable tourism issues. Representing Chile was Andrea Wolleter, National Director of the National Tourism Service (SENATUR). Jorge Mario Chajón, Director-General of the Guatemalan Tourism Institute also attended, along with Liz Chirinos Cuadros, Vice-Minister of Tourism of Peru’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (MINCETUR).
What is the reach of the International Social Tourism Organization (ISTO)?
The International Social Tourism Organization (ISTO) is a not-for-profit organization created in Brussels in 1963. It is known as the home of socially responsible tourism around the world. It has over 150 partners in 47 countries around the world and it promotes close collaboration between its members and partners. ISTO has three regional bodies, including ISTO Americas, which is responsible for promoting, building relationships, coordinating actions and exchanging information with partners in the Americas. The regional group also supports the creation of public policy on tourism and the development of programs throughout the Americas
