El Salvador to host Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit in 2027 - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit has concluded its tenth edition in Mexico City, marking a decade of debate over the environmental and social transformation of tourism. Over three days, the event brought together public authorities, tourism companies, hoteliers, academics, specialists, organisations and community representatives.

A total of 323 participants from 21 countries attended the 2026 edition, alongside representatives from 24 Mexican states. Technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and sustainability formed the central theme, with discussions examining how destinations can respond to changing traveller expectations, climate pressures and rapid technological development.

Sustainability moves into strategic decision-making

The tenth anniversary provided an opportunity to assess how the role of sustainability in tourism has changed over the past decade. Issues once treated as complementary considerations are increasingly influencing strategic decisions by destinations, businesses, governments and local communities.

Fernando Mandri Bellot, President of the Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit, stressed that sustainability now needs to be demonstrated through measurable decisions, actions and results rather than treated primarily as a statement of intent.

The programme approached destination management from several perspectives. Bruno Wendling of the Fundação de Turismo de Mato Grosso do Sul presented the experience of Bonito in Brazil, while other sessions examined hotel sustainability, community-based rural tourism, environmental conservation and the use of artificial intelligence in tourism experiences.

Competitiveness, investment and growth also featured in the discussions, alongside the importance of local communities, identity, cultural heritage and quality of life in tourism planning.

Artificial intelligence changes destination management

Technology and AI emerged as major themes during the three-day programme. Discussions explored not only how new tools can be incorporated into tourism, but also how their use could affect destinations and the communities that live in them.

According to Mandri Bellot, technological transformation means that many developments previously discussed as part of tourism's future are already influencing the industry. The challenge is therefore shifting towards deciding how technology should be used and what consequences its deployment may have.

Climate change and evolving traveller behaviour were examined alongside digitalisation as forces reshaping the design, promotion and management of destinations.

Céline Cousteau links conservation and communities

The closing keynote was delivered by environmental advocate, filmmaker and explorer Céline Cousteau under the theme “Where Are We Going: A New Tourism for a New World”.

Her contribution focused on the relationship between conservation, communities and development, reflecting a wider theme running through the summit: tourism development cannot be considered independently of the places and populations affected by it.

The organisers now intend to translate discussions and partnerships created during the event into practical initiatives. Mandri Bellot emphasised that the longer-term value of the summit would depend on what participants implement after returning to their destinations, companies, institutions and communities.

El Salvador takes over as host in May 2027

One of the main announcements at the close of the Mexico City edition was the selection of El Salvador as host of the 11th Sustainable & Social Tourism Summit.

The next edition will take place from 18 to 20 May 2027, taking the event to another destination in Ibero-America and continuing its international expansion.

After ten editions, the summit also plans to maintain its network throughout the year rather than limiting cooperation to the annual gathering. The aim is to connect destinations, tourism companies, institutions and communities more continuously as they develop new approaches to tourism with economic, social and environmental benefits.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of Alchemia