In recent years, tourism has grown exponentially in the province of Salta. It is the landscapes, the diversity of its nature and rich culture, the colors, the wineries and the warmth of its people that captivate visitors from all over the world. An activity that also has solid foundations in its management: strong institutionality (public, private, academic), strategic planning, an increasingly extended and diversified network of actors, public-private coordination and a community with culture and a tourist vocation.
In part, the increase in the choice of Salta as a tourist center is due to the constant innovation of the province in multiple aspects. Beyond the current situation of tourism in Salta and the great progress made, the challenges are still great. Among them is the imperative need to contribute to the mitigation of climate change.
“This is a cultural change, and in this, education plays a fundamental role. Values such as solidarity, equity, respect for the common home, joint work and effort must be reinserted,” points out Mr. Horacio Cornejo, Director of the University School of Tourism at UCASAL. The main objective is to work together to generate new models and strategies that are efficient and respectful of the natural, social and cultural environment. On these foundations, tourism must be more efficient in its actions in different areas and must continue working to promote the positive leadership of the people and institutions that comprise it.
Recently, the IDB published a publication linked to the costs and benefits of achieving carbon neutrality on our continent and stated that “it is not yet too late to avoid the worst negative effects of climate change.” But it also warns that “although adaptation is essential and urgent, it is proving inadequate in the face of climate change and proves that traditional development causes high emissions.” Without a doubt, traditional production models, including tourism, must be rethought, which is why the Mg. Ana Cornejo Remy, Director of the Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management at UCASAL, believes that “we are at a pivotal moment to start acting.”
In Argentina, specifically in Salta, there is the opportunity for tourism to become a model activity in sustainable development, not only as a generator of employment and sociocultural development, but also due to its connection with the environment. Faced with this, the Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management launched by the Catholic University of Salta seeks to focus on people as agents of change. “Every provider, businessman, educator, official in the tourism sector must understand that they have a responsibility regarding the care of the environment and the mitigation of climate change,” says Lic. Horacio Cornejo.
Other data that supports Sustainable Tourism
Recently, the travel company Booking.com published a report that shows that 88% of the Argentine travel community surveyed considers sustainable trips to be important. However, travelers also show disbelief in sustainability in action. This is a wake-up call and to combat it, we must work to generate more concrete actions.
A very encouraging fact comes from the 69% of respondents who state that seeing first-hand the sustainable practices of the host community, during their trips, inspires them to be more sustainable in their daily lives. And this once again puts the focus on the educational potential of properly managed tourism.
The UCASAL proposal
The Master’s Degree in Sustainable Tourism Management at UCASAL takes on the challenge from a social demand. It is about generating, in a professional manner, innovative approaches from an interdisciplinary perspective, in search of new models of tourism development, committed to the well-being of communities and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage, without neglecting aspects that contribute competitiveness to the sector. Aimed at businessmen, civil servants, teachers, entrepreneurs and professionals from other careers interested in a new field of work. In short, the Catholic University of Salta continues to accompany the province of Salta in its tourism leadership and adapts to the new requirements of society.
Learn more here: https://www.ucasal.edu.ar/maestria-en-gestion-del-turismo-sostenible/
