Tourism has become the preferred industry in most countries worldwide, especially in Latin America. In Colombia, policymakers and business entrepreneurs are already checking how tourism can play a central role in economic recovery. Colombia thrives thanks to its diversity, and tourism has great potential when it comes to showcasing this great feature to the world, always considering sustainability, good investment, and infrastructure.

The pandemic

Before the pandemic hit Colombia and the world, tourism had become one of the most relevant sectors in the country. Between 2006 and 2019, international visitors had grown by 300%. The peace deal with the FARC guerrilla opened a previously inaccessible part of the country, which led to a tourism growth of 8.5% in the area since 2016. In 2019, 1.4 million Colombians worked in the tourism industry, contributing to 3% of the GDP ($19 billion). After the pandemic, hotel occupancy went down by 3% nationally. Over 235,000 jobs were affected, and the until then growing industry simply fell apart.

Government’s policies

The government took some measures to support the struggling sector. They subsidized 1,500 tour guides for three months, and the tourist and hotel services were exempt from the VAT (value added tax) for a while. Still, these were only temporary measures that didn’t necessarily save the tourism industry in Colombia. Today, there is a clear need for a long-term strategy that can bring sustainability over time.

Investing in infrastructure

Colombia’s government must carry out serious investments in infrastructure. The country used to rank 55th out of 140 countries in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum in 2019, but its position dropped to 82nd for tourism service infrastructure. Let’s consider a specific situation: Colombia has recently drawn attention with an article in the New York Times promoting the Lost City, an archaeological site in the Caribbean. It may seem like an incredible adventure at first, but getting there is big trouble. The closest airport is located in Santa Marta and it can’t take long-haul flights. Travelers must transit through Bogotá or Cartagena to try to get there by another flight or by bus. Although  there is currently a plan to expand Santa Marta’s airport runway, it hasn’t been executed yet.

Beyond the pandemic

The public and private sectors must join forces to address all the consequences COVID-19 has brought to Colombia, take chances with the opportunities for post-conflict development and see how ecotourism could contribute to a better tourism industry. The pandemic also brought a change in consumer preferences, in which a pristine environment is more attractive than other traditional destinations. Birdwatching, for example, could see an expansion in the post-pandemic world.

Colombia Check-Mig Form

Tourism could be a core economy in Colombia, and you could contribute to it by visiting the country soon. If you do, you will need the Colombia Check Mig Form, a mandatory travel document for all international travelers. The good news is that iVisa has a trustworthy platform that can process your application. You’ll just need to complete a simple online form, let the experts help you with your data, and receive the travel document in your email. Show it to immigration authorities when entering Colombia, and that’s it!