Uruguay reaffirmed its commitment to accessible tourism at the II Accessible Tourism Congress

The ANTEL Auditorium was the setting for a meeting that, as all participants agreed, was not “just another conference.” The 2nd National Congress on Accessible Tourism was held under the motto “Accessibility with a social purpose: connecting people, destinations, and rights” and marked a firm step by Uruguay towards a more inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered tourism development model.

Organized by the Accessible Tourism Hub Uruguay and the Inclusive Business Network, with the support of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the congress brought together national and international experts throughout the day. The agenda included panel discussions, keynote presentations, presentations of departmental experiences, public policy analysis, and a tour of the Accessible Uruguay Expo.

To see the world in a different way

The opening included particularly significant words from Ana Claudia Caram, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, who highlighted the change of focus that the country's tourism policy has undergone in recent years.

“We have learned to look at the world in a different way, with a different sensitivity, to have different eyes,” he said, thanking the Node and Minister Pablo Menoni for their work as a driving force for change.

Caram clearly defended a principle that became central throughout the day: “For us, tourism is a human right. The right to leisure, to recreation, to be able to go out, to be able to enjoy a space. And for that, clear definitions and a public policy that considers this are needed.”

He also dedicated a special message to those who uphold the accessibility agenda in the territories, saying, “The local governments have supported these decisions with will and empathy. Sometimes it’s not a matter of money, it’s a matter of decision.”

An agenda marked by cooperation and collective construction

The program included a series of thematic panels that brought local experiences into dialogue with regional and international perspectives.

The Inaugural Roundtable analyzed public policies and international cooperation for inclusion, with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and CAF, who emphasized the need to move towards common standards and sustained actions.

Then, Senator and former Minister of Tourism, Liliam Kechichian, gave a keynote address where she reviewed the history of tourism accessibility in the country and raised future challenges to consolidate a true State policy.

The international perspective came from Chile, with the presentation by Sandra Elisa Osorio, a leading figure in inclusive tourism in the region, who shared lessons learned and management models that integrate accessibility, innovation, and citizen participation.

The territories, protagonists

One of the most valued moments was the panel dedicated to departmental experiences, where representatives from Canelones, Montevideo and Maldonado presented advances in infrastructure, awareness programs, accessible circuits and inclusive planning processes.

These initiatives demonstrate that transformations cannot be sustained without the daily action of local governments, which adapt spaces, train teams, and engage in dialogue with organizations and companies in each territory.

Tour operators: investing to change realities

Undersecretary Caram also highlighted the role of the private sector, a key player in making accessibility a concrete reality, and stated: “They are operators committed to making a better world, willing to change their business, to make investments that are sometimes more expensive, but that change people's reality and generate more opportunities.”

That combination of will, investment, and a forward-looking vision was visible in the panels on hospitality, customer experience, standardization, international standards, and technology, which showed how accessibility can be incorporated from design, management, and innovation.

A closing with recognition and a look to the future

The end of the day included two milestones: the launch of the photographic contest “Uruguay in focus: destinations and experiences without barriers”, and the presentation of the Uruguay Valora 2025 Inclusive Seal, a recognition from the Network of Inclusive Companies to organizations that promote inclusive and sustainable work environments.

The Second National Congress on Accessible Tourism not only updated discussions but also consolidated a shared vision. Uruguay reaffirmed that accessibility is a central pillar of its tourism policy and that tourism is, above all, an exercise in citizenship and a human right.

Through sustained effort, the impetus of social organizations, the contributions of tour operators, the commitment of departmental governments, and international support, the country is moving towards a tourism model that leaves no one behind. The journey continues, and this meeting confirmed that Uruguay has the conviction, the alliances, and the will necessary to further strengthen a destination designed for everyone.

Source: Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay.