Government of Colombia

Colombia
A SAFE TOURIST
Destination
The Government of Colombia has worked hard to improve
security conditions across the country, making it a safe
destination for Colombian and foreign tourists.
L ibertad
y O rd e n
L ibertad
y O rd e n
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Republic of Colombia
The new Colombia can be seen and experienced on our beaches and in our jungles, in our modern cities and our small
towns, and along our highways which run through spectacular landscapes.
President Juan Manuel Santos
27 February 2013
2012
2013
Vacation, recreation
and leisure
338,684
345,743
Business and
professional reasons
55,546
77,616
Work
52,532
56,774
Transit
22,805
16,683
Education and training
3,701
3,495
Health and medical services
1,543
1,493
Other
39,323
32,529
Reasons for travelling to Colombia
JANUARY-APRIL
2012-2013
60%
Total 2012
514,043
Total 2013
534,333
Bogota 52 %
50%
Tourist Arrivals
40%
BY CITY
30%
20%
JANUARY-APRIL
Cartagena 12,8%
10%
Other 6.7%
Pereira 1.1%
Santa Marta 1.4%
Bucaramanga 1.3%
Cucuta 1.7%
San Andres 3.2%
Barranquilla 3.1%
Cali 6.8%
Medellin 10%
0%
2012-2013
Colombia’s achievements in security are reflected in the constantly increasing
number of foreign tourists who visit each year. While in the rest of the world,
tourism grew at an average rate of 3.8%, in Colombia it increased at the rate
of 8.9% between 2005 and 20121.
1
Proexport
The number of FOREIGN
TOURISTS IS INCREASING
The Government of the United States,
the country of origin of the largest
number of tourists to Colombia, has
been
acknowledging
Colombia’s
enormous progress in recent years in
guaranteeing the safety of those who
visit the country. In its latest
publication, Colombia is recognised as
a safe destination for those who visit,
not only as tourists, but also as
students, business travellers and
volunteers.
I encourage anybody that is considering coming to
Colombia to please do so. You will be very
surprised!
790,940
933,244
1,353,760
1,195,440 1,222,966
1,053,344
1,474,884
1,692,821
1,582,110
576,920
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Jan-Apr
2013
Source: Migración Colombia
Tourists by nationality, 2012
BILL CALFEE,
President of the Nationwide Tour
Other 14%
USA 19%
What has happened in Colombia has been
magnificent. A real case of success, of
technological implementation, training, strategy
and intelligence.
STEPHEN C. DONEHOO,
Managing Partner, McLarty Associates Netherlands 2%
Italy 2%
Panama 2%
France 2%
Germany 3%
Venezuela
15%
Canada 3%
Chile 4%
Colombia is the new champion of the region,
thanks to its economic and social transformation.
KLAUS SCHWAB,
Founder and Director, World Economic Forum
Mexico 5%
Ecuador 7%
Brazil 5%
Peru 5%
Argentina 7%
Spain 6%
INTERNATIONAL media
has been highlighting COLOMBIA
as a safe, world-class destination
The New York Times positioned Colombia in second place, after Istanbul, on the list of most interesting places to
visit in 2011.
In 2013, The Wall Street Journal stated that Bogota “has become an international entertainment centre, drawing
jet-setters with a taste for gourmet eateries, chic boutiques and contemporary galleries”.
CNN highlighted Colombia as one of the best destinations to visit in 2013.
In its article entitled 10 things you should know before visiting Colombia, CNN emphasised Colombia’s progress in
security, assuring that “premonitions and stereotypes should be swept aside before visiting this South American
country of spectacular scenery”.
In April 2013, the BBC listed the Clock Tower in Cartagena, as one of the world’s most beautiful clock towers,
alongside towers in London, San Francisco, Prague and Kuala Lumpur: “In Colombia, the four-sided Torre del Reloj
gate grants access to the most charming part of Cartagena – a walled section of 18th-century mansions, leafy squares
and street cafes”.
Destinations
UNESCO declared Cartagena a World Heritage Site in November 1984 and the Coffee Region a World
Heritage Landscape in 2011. UNESCO also included the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary on the World
Heritage List.
An enormous variety of interesting possibilities, including history and culture, sports, adventure,
ecotourism, sun and beaches, can be enjoyed in Bogota, San Andres, Cartagena, the Coffee Region,
Santander, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Santa Marta.
I love Colombia for its natural beauty. I’d love live in the coffee region!
Renée Purdy, Canadian Tourist
Bogota is a capital city with style that caters for
different tastes and offers something special for
everyone.
Natalia Cantillo, Mexican Tourist
In Santa Marta I found that the magic realism of García
Márquez is no metaphor; it is the poetic and remarkable
way in which its people see and live their lives.
Laura Damme, German Tourist