UN Tourism, CAF Launch Indigenous Tourism Challenge For Latin America And The Caribbean

In a joint effort to promote sustainable development and cultural diversity, UN Tourism and CAF – Develop­ment Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean, have launched the In­digenous Tourism Challenge – Latin America and the Caribbean. This initiative seeks to identify and support innovative tourism projects that highlight the richness of cultural expressions and the relationship with the environment of Indigenous peo­ples in the region. Indigenous tourism allows com­munities to feature and revitalise their cultures through authentic tourist experiences.

It makes it possible for travellers to get to know native peoples, by ex­periencing first-hand their traditions, customs and ancestral knowledge. Through this type of tourism, In­digenous communities foster their au­tonomy and sustainable development, preserve their cultural identity and strengthen their role in the manage­ment of their heritage and tourism as an economic activity. The challenge is designed to make indigenous tourism a key driver for economic development, while deep­ly respecting community autonomy, ancestral traditions and the natural environment on which Indigenous peoples’ lives depend.



What does the challenge seek? The initiative focuses on projects that promote economic empower­ment: Proposals that promote the economic autonomy of Indigenous communities, increasing their capac­ities to directly manage the benefits of tourism. Cultural preservation Initiatives that safeguard tradi­tions, languages, rituals, and other cultural expressions through tour­ism experiences that directly takes communities into account. Gastronomy promotion Gastronomy promotes activities that promote the culinary traditions of the region, with the participation of local producers and markets.

Community innovation Disruptive initiatives that add value to the tourism sector without altering the traditional way of life of communities and that take them into account. Prizes and benefits for partic­ipants Finalists will receive specialised mentoring, access to global networks in the tourism sector, and unique op­portunities for international visibility. The winning project will receive investment backing of USD $10,000, as well as support to implement its initiative.

Natalia Bayona, Executive Direc­tor of UN Tourism, highlighted: “The Indigenous tourism that UN Tourism has been promoting for a decade is not only a way to promote the artistic and culinary expressions or knowledge of Indigenous peoples; it is also a tool to protect the traditions and ancestral wisdom that characterize the region. “We encourage young people to come forward and lead the way for sustainable development in commu­nities. Because the future of tourism is theirs, it is in our hands to ensure that the most human of economic sec­tors shines and flourishes”.

Oscar Rueda García, CAF’s Di­rector of Tourism, said: “This is an invitation to undertake experiential tourism projects that make it possible to learn from the culture and knowl­edge of our ‘elder brothers’. This living culture is a treasure of Latin America and the Caribbean, given that we have more than 800 In­digenous peoples, and their popula­tion is 10% of the region. The application period is open until 15 June and the presentation of the winner will be made on 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples” UN Tourism and CAF invite entre­preneurs, tour operators, community associations, and entities dedicated to the development of indigenous tourism to participate in this call and contribute to the strengthening of the sector in the region.

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