OMPT Colombia installs new board in historic swearing-in ceremony

Candelaria, Colombia.- On World Tourism Journalist Day, the World Travel Journalism Organization (WTJO, OMPT in Spanish) marked a milestone in Colombia with the official swearing-in of its new national board. The ceremony took place Friday night at Hotel Hacienda Provenza, drawing journalists, local authorities, and tourism leaders from across the country and abroad.

The solemn act was led by OMPT founder and president Miguel Ledhesma, who administered the oath of office and highlighted the importance of strengthening tourism journalism in the region.

“This ceremony represents a commitment to ethics, responsibility, and the promotion of responsible and conscious tourism, in line with OMPT’s values worldwide,” Ledhesma said.

The new board pledged to uphold core principles that define OMPT’s mission: truth and journalistic ethics, respect for host communities, promotion of tourism as a symbol of peace and development, defense of cultural and environmental sustainability, and the strengthening of tourism journalism as a profession with global impact.

The event was described as a historic moment for Colombia, underscoring the country’s growing role in international tourism dialogue. With this new leadership, OMPT reaffirmed its commitment to Latin America, positioning tourism journalism as both a driver of sustainable development and a bridge between cultures.