Guatemala Amazing and unstoppable, it commemorates World Tourism Day, which is celebrated on the date as a recognition of the economic, commercial, social and cultural relevance that tourism activities imply globally.
The Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (INGUAT) joins the commemoration, special on this occasion because it is celebrated after two years of paralysis of the industry that caused significant economic and job losses in all nations, as a consequence of the pandemic that impacted the world.
For this reason, the commemoration of World Tourism Day 2022 focuses on the future, on the recovery of the tourism sector, with the aim of putting people and the planet in the foreground, which calls for sharing the vision of a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient sector.
“This year's theme: Rethink Tourism, allows us to work together to ensure that tourism is recognized as a crucial pillar of development and progress. We have a panorama of great opportunities and challenges for tourism” in Guatemala, stated the general director of INGUAT, Anayansy Rodríguez.
In turn, the secretary general of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili, on the occasion of the commemoration of the 2022 edition, after two years of crisis for the sector due to COVID-19, stressed that we cannot return to the old way of working.
“We must rethink tourism. As the world opens up again, we have to learn the lessons of the past. The crisis has shown us where we can build more resilience. We need new voices, as well as new ideas, if we want to transform our sector and build better tourism for all,” he emphasized.
As part of the global celebration, INGUAT promotes the activity “Reconnect with Tourism”, a space to highlight the qualities and benefits of this industry in Guatemala.
In the event, which began on Monday and will take place during the week in different venues, speakers such as Miguel Álvarez, chronicler of Guatemala City, recognized for his contributions to the preservation of national history, and Maura Quezada del Jardín will participate. Botanist, biologist and specialist in environmental preservation issues in Guatemala, among others.
In addition to the forum called “3,000 years of cultural wealth”, held at the National Museum of History with the assistance of actors who promote tourism at the national level.
The commemoration includes the presentation of the INGUAT Tourism Platform, whose objective is to highlight the country's attractions and disseminate it as a first-rate destination in the priority tourism markets for Guatemala.
The institution highlighted that among the international promotion of Guatemala. Amazing and unstoppable, there are interventions at the International Tourism Fair (FITUR 2022), one of the largest exhibitions in the world that takes place every year in Madrid, ANATO (Colombia), Travel & Adventure Show (Los Angeles, California and San Francisco) , Seatrade Cruise Global (Miami), IBTM (Mexico City), Top Resa (Paris). It will soon be present at the World Travel Market –WTM- (London) and the XVI International Tourism Fair and Congress, Travel Türkiye Izmir (Israel).
The recovery of the tourism sector is underway, based on the Economic Transformation Plan of the government of President Alejandro Giammattei, as well as good practices in the productive sector.
Data from the INGUAT Department of Market Research and Analysis establishes that between last January and August, one million 132,366 foreign tourists entered Guatemala. The number of visitors implies a 65 percent rate of economic recovery, compared to periods prior to the pandemic.
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