Colombia was recognized as the best tourist destination of the world for the experiences offered by cities such as Cali and Cartagena de Indias, as well as the Caribbean municipality of San Basilio de Palenque.
The award is part of the II Afrotourism Awards, awarded by the Guía Negro platform, during the World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America. At this event, which was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the country managed to showcase its diverse tourism offering and vindicated its commitment to a sustainable and inclusive industry.
Colombia has left an indelible mark on this event, which represents an unprecedented milestone in terms of participation for the country. Our presence was highlighted with a 394 square foot stand and with 25 Colombian companies,” said the president of the state agency ProColombia, Carmen Caballero, quoted in a statement from the entity.
He added: “Thanks to them, we have managed to generate business worth more than eight million dollars, demonstrating the potential and strength of our tourism industry. Furthermore, we are proud to receive this prestigious award, highlighting our commitment to the preservation of the rich Afro cultural heritage.”
Colombia won nearly 20% of the vote in a close competition and impressed the judges with its ability to preserve its Afro roots and offer authentic tourism experiences, such as those in Cali, Cartagena de Indias and San Basilio de Palenque, which were highlighted by its historical and cultural importance.
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Afrotourism, ProColombia detailed, is the incorporation of experiential experiences that celebrate culture and the traditions of the Afro-descendant population.
Julián Franco, Secretary of Tourism of Valle del Cauca, department of which Cali is the capital, expressed that ““The Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival is undoubtedly a great ‘marker’ of travelers to the region”.
That department, in western Colombia, “annually receives around 31 thousand visitors, leaving an economic impact of approximately 19 billion Colombian pesos (about 4.8 million dollars).”
The fact of receiving this recognition confirms the importance of our Afro culture worldwide, highlighting its ancestry and great cultural expressions. It is our duty to continue strengthening the festivals of Valle del Cauca to continue with this type of positioning at the national and international level,” Franco added.
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Other recognitions to the country
On the other hand, Colombia received other recognitions during the fourth edition of the Responsible Tourism Awards, organized by WTM Latin America, which demonstrates the country’s commitment to sustainable tourism.
The national companies Apata Colombia and Impulsa Travel received the Gold and Manakin Nature Tours recognition, for their initiatives to promote the socioeconomic impact and the construction of peace through tourism.
“For its part, Travolution International received Silver recognition for its work in tourism promotion responsible in destinations through the creation of collaboration networks,” added the information from ProColombia.
(With information from EFE)
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