Minister Bartlett to Attend Inter-American Tourism Congress in Washington DC

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, will attend the 26th Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism from April 3 to 4 at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington DC.

Under the theme ‘Harnessing the Power of Heritage Tourism for Development in the Americas’, the event will bring together more than 22 tourism ministers and other high-level national authorities from OAS member states, as well as experts from across the Americas.

This year’s Congress will explore how cultural heritage, community-based initiatives, and inclusive tourism can drive sustainable economic development and environmental stewardship across the region.

It is expected to adopt the Draft Declaration and Plan of Action of Ecuador and elect new authorities of the Inter-American Committee on Tourism (CITUR).

Among the topics on the agenda are building an Inter-American Plan for Heritage Tourism, promoting tourism in indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, empowering micro, small, and medium-sized tourism enterprises (MSMEs), and strengthening community-based tourism models.

Minister Bartlet, who is Chair of the Inter American Tourism Commission, will address the opening ceremony on Thursday (April 3), in the Hall of the Americas at OAS headquarters.

Chair of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI) and Permanent Representative of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the OAS, Ambassador Lou-Anne Gilchrist, and OAS Secretary General, Luis Almagro, will also address the session.

The Congress provides a platform to advance cooperation among OAS member states.