In 2017, tourism generated more than 10% of global GDP, 1 in 10 jobs, 6.5% of total exports and 4.5% of total investment. That same year, Latin America and the Caribbean received more than 114 million international visitors. However, the market share of LAC worldwide remains low, similar to the level ten years ago (around 8%). Given the region´s tourism potential, and the … [Read more...] about Five Good Reasons Why Latin American and Caribbean Governments Should Prioritize Tourism in Their Development Agendas
Olga Gomez Garcia

Olga Gomez Garcia
Olga Gomez Garcia is a development economist specialized in the travel and tourism sector. Currently she works as an Operations Lead Specialist in the Environment, Rural Development, and Disaster Risk Management Division of the Inter-American Development Bank. Olga is the tourism focal point for several Central American and Caribbean countries. She coordinates the tourism sector policy dialogue and leads the sustainable tourism development policy, investment, and research projects for the countries assigned. Olga has a Master in Business Administration specialized in the tourism sector from Cornell University (Ithaca, USA) and ESSEC Business School (Paris, France) and a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and Management from Carlos III University (Madrid, Spain). Olga has been working at the IDB since 2008. Previously, she worked several years as an economic and tourism sector advisor for the Spanish Parliament and for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as technical director in various tourism development projects. Olga has worked as well for several private sector companies, such as Mazars Tourism, Procter and Gamble, Groupe Le Duff, Pizza Hut, Olara Música, and Ferrovial. Olga taught Tourism Economics, Business Management, Corporate Strategy & Strategic Marketing at Universidad Antonio de Nebrija (Madrid, Spain) at their Master and undergraduate tourism programs for several years and Tourism Governance and Destination Management at the Spanish National Public Administration Institute.