Full Program and registration: 6th International Forum of Travel Journalists and Tourism Leaders – World Digital Solidarity Day

On June 6, 2025, starting at 8:30 a.m., the 6th International Forum of Travel Journalists and Tourism Leaders will be held as part of the World Digital Solidarity Day. This hybrid event will take place with Candelaria, Valle del Cauca, Colombia as the host city.

Registration for virtual participation

Registration for in-person participation

Program

8:30 a.m. – Opening ceremony at the School of Music in Candelaria, Colombia.

8:35 a.m. – National Anthem of Colombia.

8:40 a.m. – Anthem of Candelaria, Valle del Cauca.

8:45 a.m. – Welcome address by the Mayor of Candelaria, Gessica Vallejo.

8:50 a.m. – Welcome address by William Cosme, Secretary of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism of Candelaria.

8:55 a.m. – Welcome address by John Edwin Andrade Salcedo, President of the Municipal Council of Candelaria.

9:00 a.m. – Opening of the 6th International Forum of Travel Journalists and Tourism Leaders and presentation of the 10th edition of the Open Passport Award and the 14th edition of the International Congress of Travel Journalists and Tourism Professionals in Nariño, by Kevin Casanova, General Director of the WTJO, and Norma Reina, President of Morada al Sur.

9:05 a.m. – Virtual inauguration from Mexico.

9:10 a.m. – Presentation of the digital campaign #SigueConTuVida and the book Digital Solidarity (2025). Miguel Ledhesma, Founding President of the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO) and creator of the World Digital Solidarity Day.

9:30 a.m. – Being a journalist in the age of content creators: how to balance digital reach with social responsibility. Katerina Mandrygina, travel journalist and creator of “Libro Viajero de Kate,” one of the most prominent YouTube channels promoting tourism in Mexico. Graduate in Film and Television Direction with a specialization in television journalism from Saint Petersburg, Russia.

9:40 a.m. – Why is Digital Solidarity important? Ramón Chávez, President of Sodomedi, Dominican Republic.

9:50 a.m. – The empathic travel gap: Ten minutes to disconnect from ego-connection and travel with soul. Míriam Martínez Posada, digital marketing professional specializing in tourism, with a strong commitment to ethical and responsible use of technology in Spain and globally.

10:00 a.m. – Presentation of the 15th International Congress of Travel Journalists and Tourism Professionals: Tourism that moves, history that inspires: 150 years of connections and development. Felipe João Gremelmaier, Secretary of Tourism and Economic Development of Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

10:10 a.m. – Can you help me remove the thorn left by a word thief? Irina Grassmann, creator of “Pioneros del Turismo.” Licensed in Tourism (1995), educator and travel journalist with over 35 years of continuous experience in tourism, connecting Germany and Argentina.

10:20 a.m. – Digital (and non-digital) Solidarity within the World Travel Journalism Organization. Izela Noriega, President of WTJO/COPTUR Panama.

10:30 a.m. – Smart Tourism: AI as an ally in the development of customer strategies. Andrés Álvarez Cortez, Program Director of Business Administration Engineering at the Universidad de La Serena, Chile. University academic, researcher, and speaker on ICT, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

10:40 a.m. – Virtual closing remarks. Yenny Polanco Lovera, President of Adompretur. Twenty years of media experience in the Dominican Republic.

10:55 a.m. – Journalism and Tourism: The case of Destinos 90 as a communication strategy for development in Valle del Cauca. Dr. Germán Morales, Director of the School of Tourism, Universidad Autónoma de Occidente.

11:10 a.m. – The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships for Tourism Development. MG. Luis Eduardo Bravo, Secretary of Tourism and Economic Development of Guadalajara de Buga.

11:25 a.m. – Social Inclusion and Accessibility in Tourism. Specialist Norma Reina, President of the Asociación de Alojamientos Rurales de  Nariño, Morada al Sur.

11:40 a.m. – Tourism with a Public Management Vision: Data-driven planning for connectivity and territorial development. Specialist Carlos Martínez, tourism expert and former Secretary of Tourism of Cali.

11:55 a.m. – Closing of the 6th International Forum of Travel Journalists and Tourism Leaders. Luis Polo Roa, Panama.

12:00 p.m. – Cultural Closing and refreshments.