CubaPLUS Magazine

Law is becoming an increasingly important branch within tourism for countries, according to Alicia Gómez Alapont, Director of Legal Affairs and International Standards at UN Tourism. She noted that sector administrations have traditionally focused more on destination promotion, but since the pandemic, a shift has occurred. Governments are now becoming more involved in developing tourism legislation.

In statements to CubaPLUS on the occasion of the III International Seminar on Tourism Law held in Havana, the official added: "These kinds of meetings are essential to exchange knowledge and practices, to see cases from other countries, because certain legislative approaches can be adapted, and successful models can be replicated in other countries and cultures. Consequently, I believe we are generating greater demand for this type of event, as well as for technical assistance projects. For example, we recently received a request to help develop the tourism law for the Dominican Republic."

"I would say," she continued, "that it is crucial to have discussions at these meetings—like the ones we are going to have—that can provide countries with ideas, recommendations, and best practices to include in their tourism legislation. This helps make tourism more sustainable and ensures those principles are incorporated into law so they are effectively translated into practical application at destinations."

Recalling the first two seminars, Gómez Alapont explained: "The first seminar focused on the International Code for the Protection of Tourists, which Cuba has adhered to, and was very centered on traveler protection, as it took place right after the pandemic. The second seminar, last year in Argentina, had sustainability as its central theme."

She added: "I believe that's when we began including sustainability and accessibility in the program agenda. And in this third seminar, we will continue discussing sustainability and accessibility because they are major challenges. But we will also address other regulatory challenges, such as artificial intelligence and consumer protection in the context of new technologies, as well as a topic very current right now in Latin America and also in Europe: the regulation of short-term rentals offered through digital platforms."

"So we have a combination of themes that are priorities for countries, and, of course, also the right to tourism and climate action, which we believe should play a greater role in the tourism agenda and in the agenda of tourism legislators," she clarified.

When asked how she views Cuba in this context, she pointed out: "Cuba is a very active country in the World Tourism Organization, with which we have a very close relationship. We know they are working on a new law and are incorporating some principles on sustainability, those derived from the Framework Convention on Tourism Ethics—in whose working group Cuba was represented when we were drafting the text later approved by the General Assembly—and they are also including the principles of the International Code for the Protection of Tourists. So we expect results and hope to learn more very soon."

Finally, she referred to the expectations for this seminar regarding outcomes, stating: "We hope this meeting will be the first where we reach concrete conclusions and recommendations for countries on tourism legislation, especially with a focus on sustainability. These will be shared with all Member States. It is also an opportunity to meet the talented Cuban colleagues from the Faculty of Law at the University of Havana and include them in this group. In recent years, an international community of experts in tourism law has been forming, and I believe this is an excellent opportunity to share with colleagues and bring them into this community."

The III International Seminar on Tourism Law, running until next Friday under the motto Challenges of Tourism Law, includes roundtables and workshops analyzing issues related to the economic activity of the sector and its link with legal sciences. It brings together around 100 professionals and specialists from 23 countries, with the support of Cuba's Ministry of Tourism, UN Tourism, and the University of Havana.