TOURISM CLUSTER OF NUEVO LEÓN JOINS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM WAVE

Monterrey, N.L. - Commemorating the Year of Sustainable Tourism 2017, decreed by the World Tourism Organization, the Tourism Cluster of Nuevo León and the Nuevo Leon Tourism Undersecretary created the International Forum on Sustainable Tourism Development, Monterrey 2017.

This Forum was held last Friday, September 22nd at Cintermex. Starting with the Opening Ceremony at 1:00 pm, followed by conferences throughout the day that concluded at 8:30 pm.

The event was composed of different presentations in which topics related to sustainable tourism were addressed and where the more than 350 attendees heard the knowledge of the experts.

The event included internationally renowned speakers and experts in the field, who ratified the role of tourism as an engine for positive change. They also participated in the drafting of the Monterrey Declaration for Sustainable Tourism at the closing of the event, which was endorsed by UNESCO authorities.

Some of the invited speakers were: Alastair Morrison, CEO of Belle International Consulting, who spoke about 'Crisis Manegment for Destinations: The Four Rs'; Leon Heilman, member of UN Environment, who shared 'Sustainable Tourism in the Framework of Agenda 2030'; Ruben Pesci, president of the Center for Environmental Studies of Latin America, with his theme 'From Magical Towns to Piasaje: The Case of Parras de la Fuente, Coah.

Sustainable tourism began to take hold in 1995 and is defined, according to the WTO, as "Tourism that takes full account of current and future economic, social and environmental impacts to meet the needs of visitors, industry, the environment and host communities.

The purpose of this International Year is to raise awareness among decision-makers and the public at large of the benefits of sustainable tourism for development, thus encouraging responsible tourism. Similarly, it is hoped that this will encourage a change in policy, business practices and consumer behaviour to promote a more sustainable tourism sector.