What Travelers Need To Know About Colombia Right Now

The travel landscape is ever changing right now.

We caught up with Gilberto Salcedo, Tourism VP of ProColombia to get the latest intel on all things Colombia travel these days.

TravelPulse: How was Colombia tourism impacted by the pandemic and how is it recovering now?

Gilberto Salcedo: Aware of the immense potential of the country, each of its unique destinations, and the effect of the pandemic, at ProColombia we designed a recovery plan focusing our efforts on adapting to change in an innovative way, facilitating air travel connectivity and strengthening the confidence of international travelers in their ability to visit our destinations safely.

With this plan in mind, we were able to reduce the VAT on air tickets from 19% to 5%. This point was stipulated in the General Tourism Law approved in the Congress of the Republic in December 2020.

These efforts have been paying off in 2021 and the country has been taking the lead in terms of air connectivity. International organizations as relevant as OAG, a global leader in information and data on aviation, place Colombia in the 18th position in the world with the highest capacity of seats for the first week of December 2021, in a ranking that is led by the United States and China. In turn, within the Latin American markets, our country's air capacity is in third place, only surpassed by Mexico and Brazil.

TP: What are the current entry requirements and COVID-19 protocols travelers should know about?

GS: Since December 14, all international travelers over 18 years old entering Colombia must be fully vaccinated and show their COVID-19 vaccination card. Travelers with an incomplete scheme or who've just had their second dose in less than 14 days prior to the arrival to the country, must also show a negative PCR Test. All travelers must fill the CHECK-IN MIG form at least 24 hours before the flight.

TP: Safety is top concern for all travelers these days, so what would you say to someone who is wondering how safe it is to visit Colombia?

GS: Colombia has undergone a positive transformation in recent years, and we have earned recognition as a must visit destination and key commercial ally, for markets such as Canada and the US. As you say, people that have visited Colombia will know that Colombians are extremely friendly, welcoming and warm!

In terms of tourism, there is no doubt that nowadays, Colombia is one of the trendiest destinations. We are proud to have recently won nine recognitions at the 2021 World Travel Awards, which are known to be "the Oscars of Tourism". We have also been considered as a successful example of innovation and social transformation and, as we continue to welcome visitors and show them that Colombia is a modern and evolving country, we believe our reputation as a safe, friendly and inclusive nation will only continue to strengthen.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that the vaccination process has been speeding up very quickly, in fact over 61 million doses of vaccines against covid-19 have been applied in Colombia. Of this number, more than 32.3 million correspond to the complete vaccination scheme, that is, 63.5% of the population. This is a very good rate and if we compare it with the region, we are above most other big tourism players in Latin America.

TP: What are the top attractions in Colombia?

First-time visitors to Colombia are in for a treat as there is so much to discover in this country that people must come back time and time again! Colombia is much more than just a sun or cultural destination, it is a diverse country that offers adventure, nature, wildlife, gastronomy, music, history, and cityscape travel highlights all in one.

Of course, Colombia is also a blend of fascinating cultures and rich histories, with at least 84 indigenous communities and more than 60 native languages, all evidenced by a melting pot of musical of over 1,000 musical rhythms, gastronomic highlights, and vibrant cities!

In terms of suggestions of where to go -it's very hard to pick just a few because there is so much to see!- for an epic adventure trek, there is the 'Lost City' or Ciudad Perdida, an archaeological site hidden deep in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. For a picture-perfect Caribbean coastal experience, look no further than Tayrona National Park. Palm-shaded coves, azure coastal lagoons and rainforest wildlife are found here in abundance. Or, if you prefer bright city lights and musical nights, Cali is the destination for you. The salsa capital of the world, Cali is best known for its sizzling nightlife, musical beats and fun-loving locals. For a community-led tourism experience, there is no better place than Medellin and for having the full coffee trip, the ideal place to visit would be the Coffee Cultural Landscape!

TP: What's new and exciting for the region upcoming in 2022?

Those six tourist regions are:

The Greater Colombian Caribbean, Much more than golden sands and coral reefs: home of fascinating cultures to festivals and music to sacred archeological sites, to Gabriel Garcia Marquez magical realism to the world's most beautiful colonial city - Cartagena de Indias. Authentic destinations rich in culture, nature and unforgettable experiences.

COLOMBIAN PACIFIC, Jungle and Sea Flavor: Colombia's best kept secret is a megadiverse ecosystem where wild jungles collide with the ocean, humpback whales make epic journeys to give birth in its waters and sea turtles nest on its huge empty beaches. Of Afro-descendant and ancestral heritage, its cultural offer is world-class, thanks to the city of Cali and its Salsa, it's delicious cuisine and its festivals.

COLOMBIAN WESTERN ANDES - Mountains of Coffee and Flowers: Region that transforms societies and looks to the future from tradition. Scenery of majestic coffee-scented mountains, extraordinarily colorful villages, talkative peasants, exotic birds, and flower-filled valleys. It is the land of the Coffee Cultural Landscape and modern Medellin: the city of Botero, the silletera culture, gastronomy and Colombian fashion.

COLOMBIAN AMAZON-ORINOQUIA - Jungle and Sacred Plains: The green heart of Colombia is an immense mega-diverse region of ancient forests, colossal skies and thunderous rapids. The north is home to a wild landscape of virgin plains, herds and biodiverse estuaries, rich in country culture. The unexplored jungles of the south hide a universe of natural wonders, petroglyphs, ancestral indigenous knowledge and living cultures, which we must continue to preserve.

TP: How does Colombia work with travel agents?

GS: Our work with the travel agents revolves around these pillars:

Training: it is very important for us to keep the trade up to date in the latest developments and understand our destinations so that they can be familiarized and be able to assist the traveler in the most comprehensive way.

Partnerships: we work with the consortia and associations like Travel leaders, Virtuoso and Signature.

Special programs: We recently launched a rewards program for our travel agents.

FAM Trips: We conduct FAM trips with our partner airlines and tour operators.

Events: We organize trade forums in which we connect tour operators and travel agents with the Colombian suppliers. We do these 'on-site' type of events, both in the United States and in Colombia. A couple of the most important ones are: The Colombia U.S.A. Tourism Business Forum and the Colombia Travel Mart; each of them happen once a year.

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