Guatemala Tourism Board Appoints New Director

The Guatemala Tourism Board (INGUAT) recently announced the appointment of Dr. Jorge Samayoa as its new director following the departure of Roberto Robles in November.

Samayoa joined INGUAT on November 17 with 10 years of experience as a tourism industry leader in Guatemala. Most recently he has headed new tourism planning boards responsible for the development of sustainable tourism products across the country, including the Turismo por Mancomunidades project, which aimed to educate smaller communities on how embracing tourism and sharing their culture with guests could improve the economy and create jobs and education opportunities for new generations.

In 2009, he represented ANAM, the National Board of Guatemalan Municipalities, in Guatemala’s tourism commission. He has also focused on tourism security and has been an advisor to the Board of Guatemalan Hotel Security from 2003-2010 and directed the government initiative Cinturón de seguridad hotelero de Guatemala, which looks for ways to improve security in Guatemalan hotels.

A medical doctor and surgeon by trade, Samayoa completed his studies at Guatemala’s prestigious San Carlos University and has studied management at the Harvard Business School founded INCAE business school in Costa Rica’s INCAE business school and strategic planning at the Mexican Social Security Institute.

Samayoa will implement current and new promotional strategies to Guatemala’s tourism industry with the aim of receiving 2 million tourists by the end of 2010.

Visit www.visitguatemala.com.