Havana, May 3, 2025 – During the 7th Meeting of Ministers and High-Level Authorities on Tourism of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP), held this Saturday at the International Tourism Fair of Cuba (FITCuba) in Havana, ministers of the sector endorsed strengthening unity to empower the tourism sector in the region.

Venezuela’s Minister of Tourism, Leticia Gómez, emphasized that investing in tourism means investing directly “in the quality of the tourist experience we offer, creating ambassadors of our culture and hospitality, especially in terms of connectivity, which is the backbone of regional tourism integration.”

“We have held constructive and proactive discussions on new proposals to link destinations, designing innovative strategies to increase the routes and frequency of connections among our sister countries. The active involvement of airlines in assessing our opportunities, the generation of operational incentives, and the facilitation of procedures and permits are firm commitments toward building air bridges,” said Gómez, while also noting that ALBA is advancing in the development of a Country Brand.

On the other hand, Nicaragua’s Minister of Tourism, Anasha Campbell, stated: “We are convinced that united we are stronger. Tourism stands out not only as a method for generating resources and jobs, but also as a tool for empowering our peoples and contributing to a culture of peace.”

According to the Nicaraguan representative, tourism plays a role in promoting the truths of ALBA-TCP countries. She concluded by calling for future discussions on the topic of tourism and migration.

Yeshika Crespo, Ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, proposed the creation of a specialized working group on indigenous heritage management, as well as the development of cultural routes and a shared ALBA tourism brand that reflects Afro-descendant, peasant, ethnic, and other identities. “Let us walk together toward the ALBA tourism destination,” she declared.

Dominica’s Plenipotentiary Ambassador, Ian Charles Anthony Douglas, welcomed the joint efforts to strengthen tourism within the regional bloc. In his view, this is an essential area for progress in the region.

“In ALBA-TCP we have been working jointly, and there is no other way to succeed. We will achieve this as long as we act as one,” added the Dominican diplomat.

Similarly, Antigua and Barbuda’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador, George Goodwin, asserted that taking immediate action to defend solidarity is more important than ever.

He stated that tourism provides economic stability to the Alliance’s nations, and therefore called for the exchange of knowledge to further develop the sector. He also expressed support for the promotion of multi-destination products that contribute to sustainable development.

Likewise, the Ambassador of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ellsworth I. A. John, supported the other ministers’ proposals regarding the promotion of tourism as a means of development for ALBA countries.

“We are emerging tourist destinations. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines would not have an airport if it weren’t for Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez. Tourism remains a work in progress, and we are striving to improve our tourist infrastructure,” he emphasized, reaffirming their agreement with the proposals presented at the meeting.

Mario Nuiila, Secretary of State of the Honduran Institute of Tourism (from the invited country), stressed that tourism is the tool that will allow for greater levels of development among the peoples.

“Multi-destination tourism is the option that will allow us not only to develop our countries, but also the entire region, and to promote a united and strong Latin America. Multi-destination is the way forward, the answer to the most recent aggressions is multi-destination. United to advance,” he concluded.

To close the interventions, Josefina Vidal, Cuba’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated that the multi-destination program should be finalized at the next meeting, as it is what all the ministers have endorsed and emphasized.