(Colombia) Tourism and Society Think Tank, Fenalco and Chamber of Commerce articulate actions for the development of Tourism in Santa Marta and Magdalena

Within the framework of the VII International Congress of Tourism Quality and Sustainability, which takes place in Jerez de la Frontera (Cádiz – Spain), from June 10 to 17, the National Federation of Business Merchants (FENALCO) and the Chamber of Commerce from Santa Marta to Magdalena have established a strategic alliance with the renowned Tourism and Society Think Tank. This collaboration has as its main objective the strengthening of public and private initiatives of the destination, promoting sustainable and high-quality tourism.

Key figures such as Aura Carolina García Amaranto, Executive Director of FENALCO Santa Marta, participated in the preparatory meeting for this important event; Andrés Felipe Vives, Director of Competitive Development of the Santa Marta Chamber of Commerce for Magdalena; and Antonio Santos, President of the Tourism and Society Think Tank.

The interventions prioritized in this collaboration revolve around four fundamental axes: the consolidation of the Tourism Observatory, a vital tool for the collection and analysis of data that will allow a better understanding and management of tourism in the region; energy efficiency for commerce, with the implementation of practices and technologies that reduce energy consumption and minimize environmental impact; the development of the Tourism Cluster, promoting cooperation between companies in the tourism sector to improve competitiveness and innovation; and strengthening territorial development plans, integrating sustainable tourism strategies into local development plans to ensure balanced and responsible growth.

Aura Carolina García Amaranto highlighted the importance of this international mission organized by FENALCO, which is part of the strategic plan of the union’s National Tourism Board. According to García Amaranto, this initiative will allow us to consolidate the chain within the commerce and services sector, as well as continue with the growing participation in the generation of quality jobs in the economy. “The international mission organized by FENALCO is part of the strategic plan of the union’s National Tourism Board that will allow consolidating the chain within the commerce and services sector; and continue the growing path of participation in the generation of quality jobs in our economy,” she stated.

For his part, Andrés Felipe Vives stressed the importance of cooperation between public and private entities to achieve sustainable tourism development. Vives indicated that the collaboration with the Tourism and Society Think Tank is an invaluable opportunity to exchange knowledge and experiences that benefit all actors involved in the Magdalena tourism sector.

Antonio Santos, president of the Tourism and Society Think Tank, expressed his enthusiasm for extending the existing agreement with FENALCO to the Santa Marta Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Santos highlighted that the integration of efforts is essential to face the current challenges of tourism and move towards a more sustainable and efficient model. «We are convinced that collaboration and the exchange of ideas between our teams will be

fundamental to promoting more responsible and beneficial tourism practices for local communities,” he concluded.

The implementation of these initiatives will bring multiple benefits both locally and internationally. Among the most notable impacts are: the improvement in the collection of tourism data, since the Tourism Observatory will provide accurate and updated information that will allow more informed and effective decisions to be made; the reduction of energy consumption, with the adoption of energy efficiency practices that will contribute to reducing business operating costs and environmental impact; strengthening the tourism cluster, facilitating the creation of collaboration networks between companies in the sector to promote innovation and the development of new tourism products and services; and balanced territorial development, by integrating sustainable tourism strategies into local development plans to ensure harmonious growth that benefits all stakeholders.

Conclusions and next steps

The VII International Congress on Tourism Quality and Sustainability in Jerez de la Frontera is presented as an ideal platform for the exchange of knowledge and the creation of strategic alliances. The collaboration between FENALCO, the Santa Marta Chamber of Commerce for Magdalena and the Tourism and Society Think Tank is a significant step towards the consolidation of a more sustainable and competitive tourism model.

In the coming months, the implementation of the actions agreed upon in the preparatory meeting is expected, with a focus on monitoring and evaluating the results obtained. This collaboration will not only benefit the Magdalena tourism sector, but will also serve as a role model for other regions interested in promoting sustainable and quality tourism.

Participation in international events such as the VII International Congress of Tourism Quality and Sustainability is a sign of the interest and dedication of these organizations in continuing to move towards a more prosperous and balanced future.