NatGeo GoBlueCentralAmerica project in Nicaragua
Róger Solórzano Canales | Sep 13, 2013
Digital Geotourism Projection Initiative met with tourism sector in Managua and San Juan del Sur.
Representative from GoBlueCentralAmerica - online platform that aims to promote the region to the world under the concept of "geotourism" - met with local tour actors last week in Managua and a week ago in San Juan del Sur, as part of a tour in Central America. The project is developed by the U.S. National Geographic with strategic partners.
The meeting was organized by the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR) and supported by the Nicaraguan Tourism Institute (INTUR), and consisted of a workshop to explain the project and asked participants to identify collaboration attractions and touristic activities in the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of the country.
Matt Humke, workshop manager and representative of GoBlueCentralAmerica explained that this platform already developed experience in the areas of Roatan (Honduras) and Bocas del Toro (Panama). The dynamics is to activate a local committee to produce, verify and validate content on tourism in the area which may be part of the proposed "geotourism" sustainable offer that increases the geographical aspect of an area, its environment, culture , aesthetics and welfare of its residents, as defined by the portal.
The president of the CANATUR, Sylvia de Levy, spoke very satisfied about the meeting because the camera is always looking for more benefits and new ideas for their partners, "it will be a window to the world," she said. Meanwhile, Dina Hodgson, from INTUR, said the institution was interested in support the meeting for the diversity of actors involved.
Humke's visit intended to create a specific committee for San Juan del Sur, and another to cover the whole country. The experience was excellent, commented Humke, as he noted the interest of the participants and the potential involvement of local actors. The executive said they hope to achieve a successful experience in Central America, similar to the one developed in other parts of the world where tourism achieved a positive interaction with the region. As an example, he noted the work done in the U.S. Four Corners region.
For the Central American project they will focus on coastal areas, Humke explained, because it was designed taking into account contributions from the U.S. Agency for Cooperation (USAID) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which have contributed to its development a bag of 300,000 dollars.
Translated by Cynthia Cordero