How Culture and Heritage-Focused Tourism Can Drive Caribbean Growth

Tourism leaders from across the Americas have pledged to leverage the region’s cultural and natural heritage as a driver of economic growth, as they wrapped up the Twenty-Sixth Inter-American Congress of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Tourism in Washington, D.C.

The high-level summit, held April 3–4 at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters, concluded with the adoption of the Declaration and Plan of Action of Ecuador — a blueprint that will guide the region’s tourism policy through 2028. Delegates placed heritage tourism at the center of post-pandemic recovery efforts, aiming to diversify tourism offerings while building climate resilience and supporting marginalized communities.

“The extraordinary tapestry of our heritage should ignite a movement,” said Kim Osborne, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development. 

She called for a “comprehensive, dynamic and enduring” action plan that honors the past while shaping a shared future.

So what’s in the declaration? It commits member states to recognize heritage tourism as a pillar of sustainable development, emphasizing investments in infrastructure, conservation of natural resources, and initiatives that strengthen economic growth. It also encourages regional strategies to improve connectivity, including multi-destination travel, to better showcase the Americas’ diverse cultural and natural landscapes.

Particular focus was placed on advancing tourism within Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities. The declaration urges governments to promote respectful and inclusive tourism initiatives that preserve these communities’ heritage, ensure their leadership in project development, and create authentic visitor experiences.

Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism, Mateo Estrella, who chaired the Congress, underscored the alignment of regional priorities. “This Congress is where we align our vision and move forward together—using tourism as a tool for unity, identity, and sustainable development,” he said.

Under the Plan of Action, three specialized working groups will tackle the declaration’s priorities: one focused on Indigenous communities, another on Afro-descendant communities, and a third dedicated to improving regional connectivity.

“This theme highlights an opportunity for us to better utilize our cultural heritage resources,”said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro.

Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett was among the tourism executives present.