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The coronavirus pandemic has upended the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries worldwide; these sectors face steep and in some cases catastrophic declines. In a new report published by the Latin American Program and the Vidanta Foundation, Fostering Sustainable Tourism in Latin America, Chilean environmentalist Hern谩n Mladinic posits that 鈥渢he economic pain, although difficult, will not last forever.鈥�  Eventually, he says, travel and tourism will recover, making once again a significant contribution to the GDP of Latin American and Caribbean nations. 

At the same time, Mladinic argues that the revival of the tourism industry should aim not only at economic recovery but also at appropriate, acceptable practices in the ecological, cultural, and social spheres.  鈥淭ourism鈥檚 economic contribution to development can be maintained over time,鈥� he argues, 鈥渙nly if understood as equitable and inclusive growth, based on ensuring the protection of nature, its habitat and biodiversity, and preserving the sociocultural heritage and promoting the well-being of the communities.鈥�

Mladinic argues for framing sustainable tourism in the region as an opportunity to highlight less traveled destinations and to market to growing demographics that value environmentally conscious products and services.  He highlights how recent trends in nature-based tourism or ecotourism constitute an opportunity to merge the interests of conservationists with local economic development. Mladinic鈥檚 report offers a detailed overview of the values and practices associated with sustainable tourism, focused on the interplay between economic, social, and environmental goals.