hablar de América Latina donde vivo, el turismo es visto como el principal instrumento para el desarrollo ya que estimula nuevas actividades económicas, producción y por supuesto empleos pero vemos que el crecimiento del turismo sin control ni planificación puede resultar en el deterioro del medio ambiente y por esta razón el crecimiento del turismo y el trabajo futuro pueden estar comprometidos. De hecho, la expansión del turismo sufre la falta de trabajo en equipo entre los sectores públicos y privados, la mayoría de las decisiones son tomadas por uno u otro sector pero no juntos y básicamente el mayor problema es que los profesionales del turismo no están involucrados en este desarrollo, la sustentabilidad implica el óptimo uso de los recursos, manteniendo la diversidad biológica, minimizando los impactos ecológicos, culturales y sociales y tratando de maximizar los beneficios para las comunidades locales, lo que no siempre se hace. Si planificamos nuestro desarrollo turístico con profesionalismo y responsabilidad será la mejor industria para nuestras economías y el medio ambiente. ¿Cómo pueden los congresos y eventos mover la industria de viajes y turismo? A veces, el hecho que la industria internacional de reuniones sea vista como parte de la industria de viajes y turismo en general nos dificulta ver y apreciar su impacto total. Es verdad que los delegados a las conferencias gastan mucho más que los turistas regulares (tanto como 6 u 8 veces más) pero todo este gasto en hoteles, vuelos y restaurantes –el gasto tradicional en turismo-, es solamente la punta del iceberg. Actualmente y de acuerdo a estudios en tres países diferentes llevados a cabo en Canadá, EE.UU. y México, aparece muy claro que la industria de las reuniones por sí misma genera un importante ingreso para las economías de los destinos, la organización de reuniones y los servicios de los proveedores que se necesitan generan grandes ingresos para aquellos destinos que actualmente son líderes en este
tourism growth that can result in such a deterioration of the environment and for that reason tourism growth and future work can be compromised. As a matter of fact tourism expansion is suffering a lack of team work between the private and public sector, most of the decisions are taken by one or other sectors but no together and basically the biggest problem is that the tourism professionals are not involved in this development, sustainability implies optimum use of resources ,keeping biological diversity, minimization of ecological, cultural and social impacts and try to maximize benefits for local communities and this not always is done. If we plan our tourism development with professionalism and responsibility it will be the best industry for our economies and for the environment. How does congress and events can move travel and tourism industry? Sometimes, the fact that the international meetings industry is seen as a part of the general tourism and travel industry makes it difficult for us all to see and to appreciate its full impact. It is true that delegates to conferences spend far more than regular tourists: (6 to 8 times as much) but all of this expenditure on hotels, flights, and restaurants – the traditional tourist expenditure – this is just the tip of the iceberg. Nowadays and according to three different country studies carried on Canada, USA and Mexico is appears very clear that the meeting industry itself generates a big income for the destinations economies, organizing meetings and all the supplier services that they need generate a big revenue for those destinations that nowadays are leaders in this market. The Global meeting industry is generating more than 600 billion American dollars a year and help the tourism industry selling their products because most of the delegates attending a meeting enjoy the local tourism attractions before, during and after their work inside meeting rooms. Also the meetings break the low seasons for most of destinations giving a new chance for those cities that have sometimes just 3 or 4 months a year of high season to have tourism the whole year. Meetings are also a source of development and knowledge in many professional areas and at the same time one of the best destination marketing tools to be used to improve all the tourism products in a destination. What would you advise to professionals who wish to work with South American clients or providers? No doubt when a person decides to organize a meeting in a region not known or not familiar with it is very important to make a good research on suppliers and manage various options or find a strategic partner to help in that region to make the best contacts, that contact may be the convention bureau in the city, a meeting planner or the
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Eventos Latinoamericanos