Diario Libre published that more than twenty ministers of Tourism from Latin America and the Caribbean met in the coastal resort of Varadero, in the western province of Matanzas, to explore the strengths, needs and progress of their countries regarding an activity that, in addition to boosting economic development, facilitates regional integration.

At the center of debates at the meeting of the 69th Commission, chaired by the Dominican Republic, was technical training, a topic to which participants dedicated more than eight hours of sessions.

According to the newspaper, UN Tourism Director Natalia Bayona warned that despite the quality salaries generated by that industry, the countries must focus on “more robust” technical training, so that their personnel have an academic certification that endorses their skills.

In that regard, Dominican Deputy Minister Jacqueline Mora referred to the upcoming creation here of a technical-vocational training institute in the eastern region and reported on the recent agreement signed by the ministries of Tourism and Education to introduce the subject of Tourism in schools, the newspaper noted.

The Presidency’s website pointed out that the Dominican minister of Tourism and president of the Regional Commission for the Americas of the World Tourism Organization, David Collado, called for the unity of the countries of the region to further promote the development of the sector and “consequently of their economies.”

Collado described the 69th meeting as a significant milestone in the drive towards a sustainable, community-based and prosperous tourism future in the Americas.

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