As travel and tourism in the Americas expands, it is paramount that infrastructure develops ahead of it. Lessons can be learned from countries that have prioritized tourism infrastructure development through strategic planning and targeted investment.

Christopher Rodrigues, Chairman, VisitBritain: Infrastructure is the “iceberg” that could “sink” travel and tourism.

Dionisio Arturo Pérez-Jácome Friscione, Secretary of Communications and Transport:
Infrastructure development fosters economic growth. There six key elements in developing infrastructure–comprehensive infrastructure plans, modernization of transport sector, sustainability, social return, private sector participation, and strong legal framework. Planning must focus on creating on creating new infrastructure or improving quality of the existing one.

Roberto Borge Angulo, Governor, Quintana Roo, Mexico:
Quintana Roo is a leader when we talk about tourism. We have made a great alliance among all stakeholders to diversify our products. This makes us not only a leader in Mexico, but all of Latin America and Caribbean. We have increased our capacity at the Cancun airport. We will continue to invest on infrastructure as well as safety and security.

Joe Berger, Area President, Americas, Hilton Worldwide:
If you don’t have first class infrastructure, you can’t have a first-class destination. If you can’t get proper airlift, you can’t have a first-class destination. Urban planning is also key.

Ricardo Montaudon, President, Latin America, Group RCI Inc:
On infrastructure and regulatory challenges, we can fix that.

Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World:
It takes a long time to build infrastructure. You need to be able to forecast.