Colombia’s nature-inspired destinations, Covid-19 measures and new resorts
Colombia
Travelers will seek to reaffirm their sense of health, moving away from crowded spaces, avoiding overcrowding, and considering greater contact with nature. Activities related to rural, ecological, and wellness tourism are projected to help boost the industry.
A study carried out by The Travel Lab to identify the preferences of travelers once the situation is over, showed that 77.5% of respondents, out of a sample of 500, will take into account more factors than before to decide a brand or a destination to travel.
According to a survey of more than 3,000 global consumers by the Boston Consulting Group, some of the biosecurity measures against the virus will be the key criteria like Social distancing, sanitation of spaces, and corporate social responsibility.
These results confirm that people will seek to reaffirm their sense of health in travel, moving away from crowded spaces, avoiding overcrowding, and considering greater contact with nature, which will promote activities related to rural, ecological, and wellness.
Colombia has an opportunity to face the return of travel, with adventure and sustainable destinations to consolidate its global appeal.
Huila
Strategically located in the center of the country is characterized by attracting more and more travelers looking for a getaway towards nature and culture. It has attractive destinations such as the Tatacoa Desert, the Los Guácharos National Park, and the Nevado del Huila National Park, which are mixed with the archaeological wealth of San Agustín.
Guaviare
A Jewel of nature with lands yet to be discovered, Guaviare is located in the Amazon region of the country. It has ample potential to develop in adventure tourism with impressive natural attractions such as the Tranquilandia Spa, Stone Town, and the La Lindosa Mountains, which could attract travelers in search of sustainable alternatives.
Chocó
The region’s biodiversity has made it possible to consolidate some of its attractions within the country’s tourism attractions. Capurganá, Nuquí, Bahía Solano, and the Utría National Natural Park have enchanted a growing number of travelers in recent years, increasing the development of some sustainable tourism projects in line with this demand.
Meta and Casanare
These areas are the gateway to the Eastern Plains of the country and have an impressive landscape of great biodiversity that can be complemented with a unique experience thanks to the richness and culture of their community.
These destinations are just a sample of the attractions that Colombia has, which have propelled it to be nominated in 14 categories of the World Travel Awards, also known as the “Oscars of Tourism”.
All of the categories are key experiences for the post-Covid 19 traveler, all of which will further continue promoting its growth.
Leading Culinary Destination in the South American “Oscar of Tourism”
Colombia was the protagonist in the South American version of the World Travel Awards 2020, where it remained as an international tourist destination. Bandeja paisa, one of the typical dishes of Colombia was crowned the winner in South America’s Leading Culinary Destination.
The World Travel Awards, known as the “Oscars of Tourism” announced the winners of their South American version. Colombia was awarded as Culinary Leader Destination and LGBT Leader Destination, in addition to receiving other important recognitions.
The cities of the country that were awarded were: San Andrés, which won as Destination of Leader beach; Bogotá, which was awarded as the Leading Business Travel Destination; Medellín that won in the Urban Leader Getaway Destination category; Barranquilla won the Destination of the Leader Cultural City award; Cali won as a Leading Emerging Tourist Destination, and Cartagena received the Leading Honeymoon Destination award for the second consecutive year.
Other recognitions for Colombia came from El Dorado Airport, which was awarded as the Leading Airport in South America 2020.
The hotels in Colombia that deserved awards were, the Hotel 101 Park House Suites & Spa, which won in the categories Leading Boutique Hotel and Luxury Suite Hotel. The Port of Cartagena was also recognized as a leading cruise port and the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena was awarded as the leading hotel suite in South America 2020. Also, Ágora Bogotá Convention Center won the award for Leading Conference and Meeting Center in South America 2020.
Why go to Colombia in times of pandemic?
The public and private sectors work hand in hand for responsible management of biosecurity measures in airports, transport, hotels, venues, restaurants, service providers, and tourist activities, to safeguard visitors.
Colombia is working on a strengthened network of convention bureaus to reactivate the MICE industry in each of the destinations. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism launched the seal Certified Check-In, backed by the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council, “just two months after the launch, more than 1,300 requests have been received from all links in the tourist chain. The industry is united and committed” Said Salcedo Ribero.
Reducing costs, stimulating demand, and generating confidence, is the strategy of the Colombian government to increase the connectivity of the suspended air routes due to the pandemic; The goal will be to recover 40% of the frequencies and seats existing in February of this year. Additional benefits are the reduction of taxes – including fuel taxes by 14 percentage points – as well as the setting of the zero rates for aircraft parking.
“Connectivity is the backbone of the tourism sector, so its return is also the reactivation of the meetings industry, we have advanced with clear steps, generating confidence and meeting the demand that we are sorely lacking,” said Salcedo.
Five cities in the region united to reactivate the MICE industry. After five months of joint work, as part of the South American MICE Alliance, the cities of Bogotá (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Lima (Peru) and Sao Paulo (Brazil)—through their Bureau of Conventions— they are declared ready to reactivate the meetings industry and consolidate themselves as favorite destinations for holding events in the region.
The coalition seeks to
• Share and adopt good practices
• Create and promote a joint promotion strategy
• Encourage the exchange of leads
Through 3 certifications, the Colombian capital endorses the tourism and meetings value chain:
Covid-19 Biosafe, implemented by the Colombian government. Safe Travels, awarded by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Together against Covid, backed by the Colombian Hotel and Tourism Association.
What’s coming to Colombia in 2021
New hotel openings in 2021, entrepreneurs in the sector bet on the opening of new hotels in the country in 2021, this is a message of optimism and confidence in the economy. Chains such as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Accor and Bluedoors have pointed out that their expansion plans continue with the opening of new rooms in the cities of Bogota, Medellin, and Cartagena. In the case of Wyndham, Ramada Encore Bogotá will open in the Free Zone in February 2021, which will have 87 rooms and a restaurant, shops, and offices.
“This year was scheduled to open, but due to the pandemic, we delayed it until the beginning of 2021 We have never thought about canceling its inauguration, we believe in the strength of the sector in Colombia. The country has a market with great dynamism, and we know that, despite the situation of the pandemic, we will have an early recovery,” said Eduardo Cruz del Río, Vice President of Chain Operations for Latin America and the Caribbean.
He further noted that at the end of next year the Wyndham Garden Cartagena would also open its doors, with 90 rooms spread over 14 floors. The hotel will be located in the Crespo sector. Sofitel Casablanca, which will be operated by Accor, will also start operating in the capital of Bolívar in Barú in the second half of 2021.
The tourism sector expects the reactivation to be reflected in at least 50 percent occupancy by the end of this year, and as early as mid-2021, when a vaccine is expected or learned to live with the virus, the hotel industry will once again have the dynamism of 2019, which had been considered a historic year by the authorities.
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