Santa Marta to Host II Ibero-American Sustainable Tourism Forum

Event Significance & Scope 🏆🔍

The forum represents one of the most important gatherings in the sustainable tourism calendar, featuring:

• Delegations from 22 Ibero-American countries
• Over 500 industry experts, government officials, and academics
• 40+ specialized panels and workshops
• Key international organizations including UNWTO and UNESCO
• Major tourism investors focused on sustainability

The selection of Santa Marta highlights Colombia's growing leadership in sustainable tourism practices and recognizes the city's own transformation toward more responsible tourism models.

Forum Themes & Objectives 🎯📊

Under the theme "Regenerative Tourism: Beyond Sustainability," the forum will address critical topics including:

• Climate resilience strategies for coastal destinations 🌊
• Indigenous tourism models that respect cultural heritage 🧠
• Technology innovations reducing tourism's environmental footprint 💻
• Community-based tourism development 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Circular economy applications in hospitality 🔄
• Biodiversity conservation through tourism 🦋

A special emphasis will be placed on practical implementation strategies that can be adapted across different Ibero-American contexts.

Economic & Promotional Impact 💰📈

Local authorities anticipate significant benefits from hosting the event:

• Estimated direct economic impact of $3.5 million during the forum
• International media coverage raising Santa Marta's profile
• Networking opportunities for local tourism businesses
• Knowledge transfer to regional tourism operators
• Potential investment partnerships with attending organizations

Venue & Experience 🏨🌴

The forum will be primarily hosted at the Santa Marta Convention Center, with specialized sessions distributed across significant locations including:

• Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino historical site
• Tayrona National Park (for field workshops on conservation)
• Sierra Nevada sustainable tourism projects
• Local eco-hotels demonstrating best practices

Delegates will experience Santa Marta's approach to sustainable tourism firsthand through curated experiences showcasing the region's natural and cultural heritage.

Santa Marta's Qualifications 🏅🌱

The selection committee cited several factors in choosing Santa Marta:

• Its unique ecological position between mountains and sea
• Successful integration of natural conservation and tourism
• Recent investments in sustainable infrastructure
• Progress in involving local communities in tourism development
• Strong support from local government and business sectors

Looking Forward 🔮🚀

The forum is expected to generate a series of commitments and action plans to advance sustainable tourism across the Ibero-American region, with Santa Marta positioned as a model for implementation.

Tourism officials hope the event will catalyze further sustainable development projects in the region while establishing Santa Marta as a thought leader in responsible destination management.

This prestigious hosting opportunity builds on Santa Marta's growing international recognition, including its recent nomination in the World Travel Awards and feature in Condé Nast Traveler's top destinations for 2025. 🌟🌍