1. OFFICE OF TOURISM REPORT TO THE XX INTER-AMERICAN CONGRESS OF MINISTERS AND HIGH-LEVEL AUTHORITES OF TOURISM SEPTEMBER 12-13, 2012 Department of Economic Development, Trade & Tourism, Office of Tourism

2. INTRODUCTION AREAS COVERED: A summary of the progress of implementation of resolutions and recommendations of the XIX Inter- American Travel Congress Developments relating to the General Secretariat’s execution of tourism projects and activities Review of the tourism industry in the Americas over the last decade; including the performance of key variables

3. IMPLEMENTATION OF DECLARATIONS OF THE XIX INTER-AMERICAN TRAVEL CONGRESS DECLARATIONS SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR CIDI/TUR-XIX/RP/doc.3/11 rev. 3 The General Secretariat ActivitiesResults Achieved 1.REQUEST in drafting the rules of procedures of the Inter-American Committee on Tourism, the Permanent Executive Committee of the Inter- American Council for Integral Development (CEPCIDI) gives consideration to the importance of including a mechanism of dialogue with all the stakeholders in order to become acquainted with their needs and facilitate the expansion and enhancement of the touristic services. The Rules of Procedure to guide the operation of the Inter- American Committee on Tourism were prepared by the General Secretariat Member States approved the rules of procedure of the Inter- American Committee on Tourism in May 2012. First CITUR meeting held in August 2012 2. That, in coordination with the relevant bodies of the Inter- American Council for Integral Development (CIDI), the necessary steps be taken to create a financing and cooperation mechanism among the national ministries and authorities of tourism, through a hemispheric tourism fund composed of voluntary contributions, giving consideration to the participation of the private sector and international organizations, in order to support communities that live in extreme poverty and have tourism potential in their environment but cannot fully achieve development. The Draft Hemispheric Tourism Fund Statute as well as Guidelines and Procedures for operation of the fund were prepared by the General Secretariat.. Recommendations in relation to Draft Statute of the Tourism Hemispheric Fund and Guidelines and Procedures will be presented to the XX Congress for consideration.

4. Small Tourism Enterprises Network (STEN) Projects and Activities The Small Tourism Enterprises Network (STEN) was designed as a unified network that integrates public, private and community sector strategies to provide strategic support to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the tourism industry in the Caribbean.

5. Integral Tourism Strategies for Local Governments Course (2010-2012) The Integral Tourism Strategies Course comprises an introduction to Integral Tourism Development for municipalities and local governments. The course targets public servants who perform administration, management and planning duties within their institutions and want to promote community development, placing emphasis on tourism resources. Projects and Activities

6. Capacity Building and Training of Human Resources for Micro, Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises in Central America The Capacity Building and Training of Human Resources for Micro, Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises in Central America project seeks to establish a sustainable mechanism to meet the training needs of human resources in the sector small tourism businesses through direct delivery of training programs that combine traditional and virtual methods. Projects and Activities

7. Technical Assistance to Small Hotels in Central America The Technical Assistance for Small Hotels in Central America project facilitates the delivery of training and technical assistance to small tourism enterprises in Central-America beginning with the small hotels. Projects and Activities

8. Technical Assistance to Small Hotels in the Andean Region The Small Tourism Enterprise Project (STEP) was launched in the Andean countries in South America in 2008 as the Technical Assistance to Small Hotels in the Andean Region initiative, and incorporates best practices learnt from tourism development and implementation of the STEP project in the Caribbean and Central America to destinations in South America. Projects and Activities

9. Tourism Security Capacity Building Program This project seeks to contribute to the prevention of crime in the tourism industry by enhancing the capacity of law enforcement security officers (particularly the tourism police) and the private sector security managers and promoting public/private partnership for the protection of tourism and recreational facilities. Projects and Activities

10. Other Course on Tourism Competitiveness: Planning and Development of tourism products. A Virtual Forum: American Dialogue on the impact of Climate Change and Natural Disasters on the Tourism Sector. OAS-CTO-Government of Barbados Tripartite Agreement FEMCIDI Projects and Activities

11. YearCourse Name # of Scholar- ship Awards Offering Institution (O.I) Country of Study Language of Instruction 2013Hospitality Marketing2E-CornelOn lineEnglish 2012 Diplomado en Gestión del Turismo Sostenible. Online. 05/14/2010 - 12/16/201020Fondo VerdePerúSpanish 2012 Diplomado Internacional en Ecoturismo Online. 04/21/2012 - 12/23/201220Fondo VerdePerúSpanish 2012 Curso de Postgrado de Alta Dirección en Turismo Rural Online. 9/2012 Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad e Buenos AiresOnlineSpanish Scholarships

12. World Inbound Tourism

13. Travel and Tourism Total Contribution to GDP – Americas

14. Tourism Arrivals - Americas

15. Total Tourist Arrivals by Region: 2000 v 2011

16. Tourism Receipts: 2000 v 2011

17. Total Receipts by Region: 2000 v 2011

18. There have been important changes in the importance of tourism in the Americas Sub-Regions in the last decade. Central and South America are playing a larger role in tourism in the Americas. The assessment could help chart the course of future work or design of initiatives. CONCLUDING REMARKS

19. THANK YOU Richard Campbell Chief, Office of Tourism Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism Organization of American States Email: RCampbell@oas.org