UN Tourism Hosts Congress of the Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean

International

UN Tourism successfully held the inaugural Regional Congress of the Tourism Law Observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean on 15 and 16 July in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Themed “Legal Perspectives Towards Sustainable Tourism,” the event gathered legal experts, government officials, international organizations, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to explore the role of legal frameworks in shaping the future of tourism across the region.

Organized by UN Tourism in partnership with Grupo Puntacana and Quiroz Advisors – QA Legal, and with the support of the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Tourism, the two-day event served as a platform for dialogue on key legal issues affecting the sector. Topics included sustainability, governance, land use planning, short-term rentals, accessible tourism, and green investment opportunities.

In her opening address, Alicia Gómez, Director of the Department of Legal Affairs and International Standards at UN Tourism, emphasized the need for clear and transparent legal systems, inclusive governance models, and integrated approaches to economic, social, and environmental sustainability. She noted that Tourism Law should be leveraged as a strategic tool to build resilient, future-ready destinations.

Key Outcomes and Highlights:

· A working group on Governance and Land Use Planning was established, with representatives from Member States and legal experts drafting concrete legal recommendations on how land use and management can better support sustainable tourism development. These will inform future best practice guidelines and Observatory actions.

· A specialized training session was offered to private sector participants, focusing on the implementation of international standards for accessible tourism, reinforcing inclusivity as a core element of tourism development.

· A post-conference session on green investments, in collaboration with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), explored financial mechanisms to support a greener and more inclusive tourism economy.

· The Congress welcomed prominent figures, including Mateo Estrella, Minister of Tourism of Ecuador, and Carlos Peguero, Vice Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, as well as leaders from business, academia, and finance.

This landmark event represents a key step toward building a regional legal framework for sustainable tourism, reaffirming UN Tourism’s commitment to strengthening governance, legal infrastructure, and sustainability across Latin America and the Caribbean.