Guatemala City, by Yuliza Muñoz -AGN- Harris Whitbeck was sworn in as General Director and Ericka Guillermo as Deputy General Director of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism -Inguat-.
On behalf of President Arévalo, the Secretary General of the Presidency, Juan Gerardo Guerrero Garnica, appointed the authorities who will be in charge of the tourism agency during the 2024–2028 administration.
According to INGUAT, the new authorities have emphasized that their goal is to contribute to positioning Guatemala as one of Latin America’s favorite and most memorable destinations in the region.
New alliances
During the current administration, a strategic plan for 2024-2028 will be implemented, which includes the promotion of alliances with communities and local governments, entrepreneurs, tourism operators, and public-private initiatives.
In search of improving tourism infrastructure such as airports and highways. It is also intended to create spaces for dialogue and permanent cooperation with tourism sectors.
These alliances are designed to improve tourism infrastructure, such as airports and highways, and create spaces for dialogue and permanent cooperation with tourism sectors.
Further plans include recognizing the value of tourism as an engine for economic development, attracting investment, generating quality jobs, and creating conditions that allow communities that depend on tourism to prosper.
Professionals leadership
The Director of Inguat, Harris Whitbeck, has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Studies from Washington College and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from Columbia University, New York.
He is a journalist and international correspondent with over 30 years of experience. He has served as a member of the board of directors of the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala in the Sololá campus and the Guatemalan American Institute. In addition, he was a founding member of the digital newspaper Nómada and an active member of the Guatemalan Chamber of Tourism.
Deputy Secretary Ericka Guillermo has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the Universidad San Pablo de Guatemala and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing with an emphasis in International Trade. She specializes in International Marketing from the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft in Germany.
She also has over 20 years of experience in the direction and management of public sector institutions, including Inguat, Intecap, Agexport, Camtur, and Fundesa.
