Mario R. Maldonado Samayoa

Mario Roberto Maldonado Samayoa is a Guatemalan historian and cultural manager with a PhD in History from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Zacatecas and a Master’s in Culture and Heritage Management from Universidad Rafael Landívar. He is a founding partner of CICOP Guatemala and has built a distinguished career in the conservation, research, restoration and management of cultural heritage. He also has training in creative industries, tourism, urban planning and project planning.

Over the course of his career he has held senior positions, including Vice-Minister of Cultural and Natural Heritage of Guatemala, Permanent Representative to UNESCO and director of cultural and environmental institutions. He has led the preparation of nomination files for cultural sites and expressions before UNESCO, including Takalik Abaj, Lake Atitlán and Holy Week in Guatemala.

He has also been a consultant, speaker and author of specialised books and articles. He was awarded the National Order of Cultural Heritage, among other honours. He currently coordinates the Religious Tourism Network for Guatemala and Central America and represents the Tourism and Society Think Tank in the region.