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Colombia launches a biosafety check-in certification for the tourism sector

This certification, which will be key to reactivating the sector, is supported by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

 

Miami, FL/ This initiative is intended to encourage tourism once again in Colombia. The tourism biosafety seal has been endorsed by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and is the first of its kind developed in Latin America.

 

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This voluntary certification aims to generate trust among travelers and consumers to choose tourism services that comply with the mandatory protocols issued by the national government. In addition, it recognizes businesses efforts to comply with these standards.

Legal measures taken by the Colombian Government

In Decree 639 of May 8, 2020, the National Government created the Formal Employment Support Program, which was expanded by Decree 677 of May 19, 2020 under the framework of the State of Economic Emergency. This measure seeks to alleviate companies’ lack of cash flow by establishing a subsidy for the payment of salaries.

 

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In the last week, the National Government has issued several decrees in order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on Colombia’s economy. Among the most significant are the Formal Employment Support Program and the VAT-exempt sale of certain products.

Biosafety certification for the Colombian tourism sector

After surveying American travelers in late April, the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that 84% of respondents would resume visits to public spaces if health and hygiene measures are implemented, including guaranteeing social distancing, mandatory use of hand sanitizer, and regular disinfection of spaces.

 

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Among COVID-19’s impacts on the tourism industry are the changing trends in demand and consumer preferences. Tourism service providers will be obligated to anticipate the economy’s reactivation and begin creating a strategy that inspires travelers trust through strict health and hygiene protocols while allowing sector companies to remain up to date with the new normal.

Colombian tourism remains attractive for foreign investment

According to the directors of Deloitte’s Financial Advisory, “the sector continues to be very attractive and there is nothing to indicate that interest is lost in this industry, which has demonstrated resilience.” 

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Tourism was one of the first sectors to be hit by COVID-19, but there are still opportunities for hotel investment in Colombia.

Colombia has the best tourism website in the world

The results are in from the massive worldwide vote, and Colombia.travel won the Webby People's Voice Award as the best tourism website in the world in the Travel category. The Webby Awards were founded in 1996 by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences in the United States and are held annually to recognize the best online projects.

 

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The country's official tourism website led by ProColombia won the Webby People's Voice Award through massive online voting in more than 70 countries.

Colombian Government legal measures during COVID-19 for the Tourism Industry

Also, Decree 457 ordered preventive isolation from 0:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 25th until, the recently extended date, April 26. This Decree limits the free movement of people and vehicles, and suspends domestic air transport. It also brings a list of 34 activities exceptions that can be carried out and indicates that cargo transport, storage and logistics for import and export cargo must be guaranteed.

 

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One of the most important decisions was the declaration of the Economic, Social and Ecological Emergency through Decree 417 of 2020, which allows the government to issue decrees with the force of a law.

Tourism as a focus for economic recovery

Due to COVID-19, the most affected sectors in Colombia are tourism and aviation, therefore, the Government has taken measures that help relieve the obligations of the companies that are part of these sectors (airlines, hotels, travel agencies, restaurants and events).

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It was created an initial credit line through Bancoldex of $250.000 million COP, which was increased to $650.000 million COP last week for companies of the sector.

Colombia, the South American powerhouse for bicycle tourism

With the 2019 Tour de France, the eyes of the world are on Colombia. Egan Bernal, a 22-year-old born in Zipaquirá, is the first Latin American to win this cycling competition. Thanks to his work and that of other “escarabajos,” or “beetles”—a nickname for Colombian cyclists—like Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Urán, and Sergio Luis Henao, Colombia stands strong as a cradle of exceptional athletes and a cycling tourism destination.

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Colombian Egan Bernal’s triumphant win at the Tour de France is also an achievement for a country that wants to promote cycling culture along its 38 possible cycling training routes.

Colombia exhibits leisure travel options during ITB 2019

Berlin, February 2019. In the 2019 edition of ITB, 24 Colombian business representatives will promote Colombia's wide range of leisure travel options. They will offer various tourism products with the support of ProColombia, an international tourism promotion agency.

Colombia's stand will cover about 300 square meters, in which the following cities and regions will be promoted: Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Meta, Chocó, the Coffee Belt, and the Amazon.

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" Colombian entrepreneurs will participate in one of the largest tourism fairs in Europe, which will take place from March 6-10 in Berlin, Germany.

56% of buyers are at ProColombia Travel Mart for the first time

Bogotá, February 2019. With an enormous turnout of national business representatives covering almost the entirety of the tourism sector equipped for the international market, the latest edition of ProColombia Travel Mart (PTM) will be held from February 27 to March 1 with the aim of capturing the high-spending foreign tourism market. The matchmaking forum will take place during the ANATO Tourism Fair in Bogotá.

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Over 500 national and international business representatives will attend more than 5000 meetings at the matchmaking forum to be held in Bogotá during the ANATO Tourism Fair.