Once again this year, on the eve of the inauguration of the International Tourism Trade Fair, CIMET provided a forum for dialogue between representatives…
Once again this year, on the eve of the inauguration of the International Tourism Trade Fair, CIMET provided a forum for dialogue between representatives of the Latin American tourist industry and the Spanish business sector. Both industries presented their ideas, with a view to re-launching the investment drive this year in Latin American tourist destinations. Ministers from the various countries throughout the region presented their incentive schemes aimed at attracting investment from Spanish small and medium-sized companies, whilst various representatives of the Spanish tourist sector highlighted the importance of taking full advantage of the potential that exists within the tourist industry, especially with regard to small and medium-sized companies.
The Conference, organized by the Nexo Group, was structured around three working sessions and a posthumous homage event organized by CIMET and the Tourism Commission of the Confederation of Spanish Industry, the CEOE, for five eminent figures within the field of Spanish tourism: Joan Gaspar, the founder of the Husa Group; Lorenzo Fluxa, the founder of the Iberostar Group; Jose Melia, creator of Corporacion Melia; Luis Riu, from Riu Hotels; and Horacio Echevarrieta, from the Iberia Group.
Fernando Conte, the Chairman of the FITUR Organizing Committee and President of the Iberia Group, officially inaugurated the event, highlighting the importance of taking advantage of the potential that exists within the tourist industry, as well as the need to involve Spanish small and medium-sized companies. Conte also analyzed the current situation and stated that he was convinced that the tourist industry would witness growth in both Spain and Latin America.
The inauguration ceremony also featured the participation of a number of eminent figures, such as Jose Maria Alvarez del Manzano, the Managing Director of IFEMA. Gonzalo Pascual, Chairman of the Tourism Commission (CEOE), highlighted the favourable figures achieved by the Spanish tourist industry during the year 2004, in spite of the fact that the year was marred by a number of tragic events. Pedro Mejia, Secretary General for Tourism in the Spanish Government, highlighted the importance of this forum as a means of promoting the exchange of experiences between Spain and Latin America. The Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, emphasized the importance of strong links between Spain and Latin America. The Closing Ceremony featured the presence of a number of important figures from the world of Spanish tourism, in addition to that of the President of the Madrid Regional Government, who offered her entire support and backing to businessmen within the industry. The Managing Director of Feria de Madrid (IFEMA), Fermin Lucas, highlighted the importance of FITUR as a means of promoting opportunities for collaboration between Spanish tourism companies and their respective tourism administrations, stating that IFEMA was working to ensure that FITUR becomes, year after year, the most effective forum for promoting business and understanding among the various members of the tourist industry.
The various representatives of the Latin American countries then proceeded to reading the address of the Prime Minister of the Spanish Government, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero. Mr. Zapatero highlighted the importance of small and medium-sized companies, that make up some 80% of the business sector within the Spanish tourist industry, whilst also playing a vital role within the country`s economy.
CIMET`s Conference Chairman, Francisco Vazquez, then introduced the various Latin American representatives:
The Under-Secretary for Tourism Management of the Argentine Republic, Daniel Pablo Aguilera, emphasized the importance of potential investments on the part of small and medium-sized companies in his country. In order to facilitate such investment, he described the Investment Promotion Scheme that exists within the tourist industry, accompanied by a Financial Aid Programme.
The Bolivian Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ximena Alvarez Aguirre, described the special importance that her country`s government grants to international investment and marketing within the tourist industry. She stated that her country was ideal for small and medium-sized companies to invest in the tourist industry.
The Deputy Minister and National Head of Tourism of Chile, Oscar Santelices Altamirano, indicated that his country inspires confidence when it comes to companies to investing in Chile, because the Chilean economy is one of the most stable and robust in Latin America. He also pointed to the existence of various agreements with Spain, as well as incentive schemes for promoting investment in tourism.
For his part, the Colombian Deputy Minister for Tourism, Carlos Alberto Zarruk, highlighted the importance of tourism regarding the development of his country in recent years, as well as the presence of foreign investment in the country (direct investment, franchises, use of brands, technology…)
The Tourism Minister of Costa Rica, Castro Fonseca, stated that tourism has now become the driving force behind the country`s economy. The tourist industry is Costa Rica` main source of wealth and welfare. This country also offers a series of incentive schemes which are of considerable interest to Spanish small and medium-sized companies that may be considering investing in Costa Rica.
Oscar Gonzalez Rios, the Cuban Deputy Minister for Tourism, highlighted the growth of tourism throughout the country, thus providing an ideal climate for foreign companies to invest in Cuba.
The Minister for Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Felix Jimenez, indicated that his country offers ideal conditions for Dominican companies, as well as foreign companies, to invest in the country.
The Minister for Tourism of Ecuador, Gladys Eljuri de Alvarez, described the existence of various laws that promote investment within the country`s tourist industry, laws that favour both Ecuadorian and foreign companies. Furthermore, she highlighted the fact that Ecuador would focus its promotional efforts in particular on the rural sector, encouraging the wealth from the large cities to filter out to the countryside.
The representatives of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal and Uruguay all highlighted the importance and growth of the tourist industry in their respective countries. They all offer incentive schemes and subscribe to agreements for promoting investment on the part of national and foreign companies. In this respect, all these countries are attractive destinations for possible investment on the part of Spanish small and medium-sized companies.
Key-Note Address of the Former Spanish Minister for Trade and Tourism, Javier Gomez-Navarro.
The former Spanish Minister for Trade and Tourism, Javier Gomez-Navarro, devoted his address to the role of small and medium-sized companies within a context in which tourism is marked by high levels of competition and growing supply and demand. This situation calls for companies to create their own differentiated image and positioning in each country. In this respect, small and medium-sized companies have an essential role to play. These companies are also favoured by marketing via the Internet, which enables them to overcome distance barriers. However, for small and medium-sized companies to really flourish, it is necessary for them to become more international, which will only be possible through legal security, interpreters at business meetings and much affection.
Posthumous Homage to Five Eminent Figures from the World of Spanish Tourism.
CIMET and the CEOE Tourism Commission organized a posthumous homage event for five of the most eminent figures within Spanish tourism, based on their long service to the industry, their having founded important hotel groups or having introduced revolutionary ideas within the field of tourism. Homage was rendered to the following eminent figures: Joan Gaspar, founder of Grupo Husa; Lorenzo Fluxa, creator of Grupo Iberostar; Jose Melia, from Corporacion Melia; Luis Riu, creator of Riu Hoteles; and Horacio Echevarrieta, from Grupo Iberia.
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