The first LGBT Tourism and Diversity Forum concluded at the Salón Éxodo Jujeño, marking what organizers described as a significant step toward a more inclusive tourism model in the province. The event brought together provincial and municipal authorities, LGBTIQ+ organizations, entrepreneurs, specialists, and technical teams who discussed challenges and shared experiences to develop diversity-focused tourism policies.
Participants identified common challenges related to accessibility, awareness-raising, and creating safe environments for all identities. Local and provincial initiatives were highlighted during the forum, including efforts by the Jujuy Tourism Promotion Agency to incorporate diversity into its strategic guidelines and projects led by municipalities and diversity departments across the province.
External experiences were also featured at the forum. One example was Salta’s strategy to position itself as a leading LGBTQ+ tourism destination. Proposals related to same-sex wedding tourism and cultural interventions added further perspectives on how to enhance symbolic and community aspects within tourism.
“Este encuentro nos demostró que Jujuy está preparada para consolidarse como un destino verdaderamente inclusivo. A lo largo de la jornada vimos a municipios, organizaciones y equipos técnicos trabajando en la misma dirección, con propuestas concretas y un compromiso genuino…” – said Diego Valdecantos, Secretary of Tourism of Jujuy – “…Para nosotros, la diversidad no es un concepto discursivo: es una oportunidad para elevar la calidad de la experiencia turística y fortalecer el vínculo con quienes nos visitan. Este foro es un punto de partida, y vamos a seguir impulsando acciones, capacitaciones y políticas públicas que garanticen un turismo más abierto, respetuoso y representativo de todas las personas.”
The forum ended with general conclusions and plans for next steps. These include establishing inter-institutional working groups, new training programs for the sector, and actions that integrate communication, education, and quality service standards. There was consensus among attendees that diversity should become a defining feature of Jujuy’s tourism offer as well as an opportunity for real development in the sector.
