Colombian tourism sector in an upward swing
Photo courtesy: Travel to Blank
Colombian tourism sector is in a coming back after the peace agreement signed by Juan Manal Santos, the President in 2016 to end five decades of violent civil war, which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize.
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos receives 2016 Nobel Peace Prize.
Though the country is still struggling to carry out the agreement amid a new government, Colombia is seeing massive growth in its tourism sector.
As per reports from the trade ministry more than 3 million people visited Colombia in 2017, marking a 200 per cent hike since 2006, as more American and international tourists are making it a destination.
“We are going to Medellin, as an add-on, because of ‘Narcos,’ said Jill Colbeck of Denver, referring to the popular Netflix series about Pablo Escobar, 80’s drug kingpin of Columbia. “My husband thought it was an absolute must,” she added.
Pablo Escobar with his wife, Maria Victoria
Colbeck, a retired finance executive, was scheduled to go on a tour of Escobar’s luxury prison, called ‘La Catedral’ (The Cathedral), with the help of a former police officer who offers guides. Escobar was listed in Forbes in 1987 as the richest man in the Americas, with an estimated fortune of USD 3 billion.
Colombia’s new president, Ivan Duque, has been taking steps to expand tourism while moving away from its infamous history.
In January, The New York Times listed Colombia as a place to visit in 2018, and Hilton said it would build three hotels in the country in the next 18 months.
‘La Catedral,’- Escobar’s private prison
A British national Julian Baker has started a travel and business consultancy in Cartagena named Travel Colombia Direct.
“Corporate people never really came here,” said Baker. “It used to be people from South America or Central America. Then President Barack Obama came here for a conference and it was massive news.”
Baker also noted a growing number of convention centers are helping position Colombia as a global conference destination. “The transition in the past 12 years has been phenomenal,” he said.
It has been reported that former FARC guerrillas have moved to tourism sector, working to create an eco-tourist friendly destination in the jungle showcase their life in the forests and to learn about the peace process. It is told that former fighters were training in the hopes of being part of the so-called peace tourism.
FARC guerrillas at the 34 Alberto Martinez camp, days before their demobilization after the agreement with the President
“The past few years have seen an organic growth in tourism, as Europeans and Americans alike look for more exotic destinations. The new government has a strategic plan to develop creative and cultural industries, including sports and health, known as the ‘orange economy.’ Colombia is becoming a destination for cyclists from all over the world looking for high altitude training,” said Eric Rodriquez, dean of University of the Andes School of Management.
Rodriguez said the Andes School has increased the number of international students by 42 per cent in the past three years. Students are from destinations as far afield as Shanghai and Poland
Health tourism sector has also improved in the country, including visits for cosmetic procedures. A number of hospitals and hotels are being built in recent years.
“Serena del Mar is one of the spots for international investment, and many companies are looking at it as the way to bring tourism to Colombia,” said Rodriquez
“Investors are looking to bring people for the concept of health tourism,” he added.
Serena del Mar Development
More airline companies have expressed interests to operate in Colombia.
The movie and the music industries also have helped stimulate foreigners’ interests for Colombia.
Musicians such as Shakira, J Balvin, Maluma and Fonseca have lifted the country to the center of the Latin music industry.
Julián Guerrero is the vice president of tourism at ProColombia, which promotes tourism initiatives. J Balvin drops new album ‘Vibras,’ redefines how Latin artists cross over to U.S. music scene
As for movies, the interest for Escobar-related projects seems to have no end. “Loving Pablo,” starring Bardem and his real-life wife, Penelope Cruz, follows the love story between Escobar and his journalist girlfriend, who eventually helped turn him in. Amazon’s action thriller, “Jack Ryan,” is filming its second season in Colombia.
Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem, in ‘Loving Pablo’
It was reported that Will Smith’s new film “Gemini Man,” which is set for release next year will be making in Cartagena. He shared an instagram video regarding the film.
The tourism sector of Colombia is in an upward swing now. The country’s marketing slogan is ‘Colombia, Tierra de la Sabrosura,’ which roughly translates as ‘the land of delicious vibes.’
