The UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development (CUTDES) at the ULPGC participated on Monday, September 28, 2026, in the cycle «Rapa Nui and Canarias: Islands, Tourism, and Limits to Growth». This event was dedicated to analyzing the challenges and opportunities related to sustainability, technology, and legacy in the tourism development of Latin America and Spain.
Representing the Chair, Dr. Daniel Celis served as the moderator. The session brought together representatives from various institutions and organizations linked to tourism and sustainable development in Rapa Nui, including the Rapa Nui Tourism Chamber, the Rapa Nui National Park – Ma’u Henua Indigenous Community, and the Easter Island Agricultural and Services Society (SASIPA). It also featured the participation of Dr. Abastoflor, an expert in Community-Based Tourism (CBT).
The meeting was jointly organized by the Rapa Nui Tourism Chamber, the Indigenous Community of Rapa Nui, SASIPA, and the Club of Rome – Canary Group. The event received support from several entities, including the UNESCO Chair in Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development itself, EmoturLab, the University School of Tourism of Lanzarote (EUTL), the Observatory of Innovation in Sustainable Tourism of Gran Canaria (OTIGRAN), the Official College of Tourism Graduates of the Canary Islands (COPTURISMO), and the Ibero-American Network of Sustainable Tourism (RITS).
CUTDES's participation in this initiative highlights the importance of fostering dialogue and knowledge exchange spaces among island territories. The aim is to share experiences and perspectives on the challenges posed by tourism growth and the need to evolve towards more sustainable, innovative development models adapted to the specific characteristics of island territories.
