This was stated by the legal director of the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur) of the Antillean island, Juan José Álvarez, who represented his country in this foundational moment.

In an interview with Prensa Latina, the Cuban official said the Observatory, first of its kind in the world, is the result of UN Tourism’s work in the region.

Uruguay was chosen to host the Observatory during the 69th Meeting of UN Tourism of the Americas that took place last May in the Cuban resort of Varadero.

Its birth accompanies the challenges that tourism is going through to be sustainable, accessible and inclusive, now marked by the processes of digitization and artificial intelligence, Alvarez said.

He explained that in a first stage the Observatory will carry out a diagnosis around tourism legislation in the area, in order to promote legal proposals and best practices.

Cuba will expose the values that underpin its tourism policy, based on peace and security, he stressed.

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