The official delivery of the Tourism Strategic Plan for the Rurrenabaque Madidi-Pampas Destination (2018-20279) took place in a ceremony held on April 17th, in Rurrenabaque. This plan was developed with the technical and financial support of the Government of Beni Department and WCS. Participants included the Vice Ministry of Tourism, the Departmental Secretary of Productive Development, the Director of Tourism of the Autonomous Municipal Government of Beni, the Mayor of Rurrenabaque and representatives of the municipalities of Ixiamas, San Buenaventura, Santa Rosa del Yacuma and Reyes, the directors of Madidi, Pilón Lajas and Pampas del Yacuma protected areas, indigenous leaders of the Tacana, Uchupiamonas and T'simane Mosetene, members of the Regional Chamber of Tourism of Rurrenabaque, the Italian Cooperation (AICS) and Oscar Loayza, Assistant Director of the Greater Madidi Tambopata Landscape Conservation Program.
On the 20th April a press conference was held at the office of the Vice Minister of Tourism, with the participation of the Beni Departmental Government, the mayor of Rurrenabaque, the directors of Madidi and Pilon Lajas and WCS Country Director, Lilian Painter.
The Rurrenabaque Tourism destination includes natural and cultural attractions of five municipalities, 3 national protected areas, 4 municipal protected areas and 3 indigenous territories. It also involves tourism ventures, goods and services. Madidi National Park and the Pampas del Yacuma Municipal Protected Area represent its core attractions.
An important step to initiate the implementation of the strategic plan has been the recent signature of an interinstitutional commitment, involving all the local stakeholders involved in tourism (public, private and community based), in which they commit to promote sustainable tourism, in order to conserve the natural and cultural heritage, respect the rights of the indigenous people and communities and achieve a high standard of tourism services.