Last year, the American newspaper The New York Times, ranked Colombia as the second most attractive tourist destination in the world and it's no wonder. Biodiversity, landscapes, cities, and Colombian culture represent what we truly are as a nation. Undoubtedly, we are emerging from an armed conflict that hurt us for many years, but the time has come for the world to understand that violence and drug trafficking are not characteristics of our society, but rather a stage we are overcoming. And this is happening, according to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia (MinCIT), the visit of non-resident foreigners doubled from 2010 to 2018, the year in which we received just over three million tourists. For economist Camilo Durán of Credicorp Capital Colombia, tourism is one of the economic sources that has contributed the most and will continue to contribute to the country after the peace agreement (hence the importance of preserving it). Without a doubt, citizens are understanding this message, and the country's tourism is writing a new chapter.
It is evident that the armed conflict prevented domestic tourism for a long time, and how not, it stigmatized the name of Colombia abroad. Previously, when a foreigner said “I'm going to Colombia,” responses from those who heard it ranged from “Are you crazy?”, or “They will kidnap you,” to “They will kill you,” and for locals, it was unthinkable for a long time to take the road because armed actors took over many routes and regions. Now, foreigners and Colombians feel more confident to explore this vast and beautiful territory. In this new chapter, Colombia is not only a protagonist but also trendy; foreigners and locals have changed their perception of the country and are looking for ways to get to know it more deeply. So, let's explore our territory and encourage the world to come and meet us.
At PLAYBOY Colombia, we did the task of seeking local and alternative tourism projects that know what we are made of and have as their mission to showcase that beautiful face of Colombia to both national and international travelers.
Roadtrip, for example, is an agency that fulfills the mission of reviving spaces and historical moments as well as Colombian traditions. This agency “arises from the idea of remembering the traditional way families traveled before, which was by road from town to town,” says Darío Flórez, founder of the agency. “It also stems from a desire to show Colombia and get to know it in depth, which means interacting with the territory, stepping off the traditional paths, and talking with the native people of different communities. The idea is for visitors to take ownership of the territory.” Flórez knows that each town has something to show, whether in terms of nature, architecture, history, or gastronomy, and no one better than its inhabitants to tell it.
Courtesy of Road Trip Colombia
Roadtrip also offers its social media platforms for other agencies or tour guides in Colombia to offer their services. This project has been running for just over a year in the constant search for routes outside traditional paths to help and work hand in hand with new communities. “For example, during Holy Week, we go on an expedition through the Coffee Axis, but along the old Quindío route, which was used since colonial times to connect Quito with Bogotá. Simón Bolívar used this route,” says Flórez. The guerrilla invaded this route for many years, but now it is a space for visitors to enjoy its unique natural beauty; the sanctuary of wax palms is one of the main attractions, where 80% of this species in Colombia resides. Don’t miss this experience full of landscapes and cultural diversity.
Urban tourism is also part of this new wave of experiences to enjoy our country. Bogotá Graffiti brought a style of tour to the capital that is experienced in several cities around the world, as they consider these spaces ideal for exploring the culture, technique, and history of street art, this time, in Bogotá. This tour is free, and the routes are conducted twice a day, every day of the week. At the end of the tour, a voluntary contribution is given to continue harvesting urban art.
The idea for this tour originated from two foreigners, CRISP, an Australian artist, and OPEK, a Canadian graffiti writer, who after living and traveling through various parts of the world, met in Bogotá and realized that the city has the potential to become the world capital of graffiti. “They had taken graffiti tours in other cities and realized that the quality of Bogotá’s urban art is equal to or better than that of other countries,” says Jeffer Carrillo, an anthropologist and guide for these tours. The success of these tours has been such that they went from three times a week to twice a day every day. Never fewer than 15 people, mostly foreigners, so tours are only conducted in Spanish once a month, even during high season, up to 100 tourists gather to experience it. “We always try to split them up so everyone can enjoy and understand the tour fully,” explains Carrillo.
Courtesy of Bogotá Graffiti
Similarly, Sendas is a new project that bets on ecotourism and visits places “that are not usually very frequented but have significant landscape beauty. The idea is for people to have contact with nature and involve the community we visit, with food, lodging, and local guides, because they are the ones who truly have the stories that give value to the tour,” explains Oscar Javier Gómez, founder of Sendas.
There is still controversy over urban art, but it is increasingly accepted and valued by tourists and locals. For Jeffer, “the city spray paints the message that the city is alive, that there is someone who wants to express themselves and reflects what is happening in the city.” This artistic tour through downtown Bogotá, and its artistic manifestations, will help us better understand the city, the country, and the essence of urban art.
“At Sendas, we believe that one of the ways to combat inequality between cities and the countryside is through community tourism and well-done,” Gómez comments. This ecotourism agency was born from the trips Gómez made with friends, “I was the one organizing the trips, from transportation to guides and hotels, they called me Oscar Tours,” recounts the entrepreneur.
Photograph by Oscar Javier Gómez
But Colombians are not the only ones who have seen the importance of the shift in national tourism. Traviat, for example, is evidence that the country has renewed itself and is now a cradle of opportunities, not only for locals but also for foreigners. Santiago Lebrón and Luis Javier Maldonado are two Puerto Ricans who arrived in Bogotá seeking a new direction, as Hurricane María’s passage through Puerto Rico caused an immense crisis that left many people homeless and resource-less, and, as in the case of Santiago and Luis, unemployed. They decided to rebuild their lives in Bogotá, and after several months convinced that they had to create their own company, they found their path in tourism and created Traviat, an agency that presents itself as “a friend in your destination,” explains Lebrón. It’s not the same when we visit a new destination alone as when we visit it with a friend waiting for us.
Sendas was launched on April 6 of last year. They started organizing trips and dates for people to join the plan, but now you can suggest your plan to them, “we will start taking trips all year round, for example, if a group wants a specific date, we will also organize the trip; now, keep in mind that some tours are seasonal, so not all destinations are available year-round.” Sendas works with loyalty discounts, so the more trips you take, the less you pay, and if you bring new people, you will also earn rewards.
“More than internal tourism, we do receptive tourism. We receive foreign tourists, mostly Americans and Puerto Ricans, because of the direct relationship we have with them,” says Santiago. “We introduce Bogotá through experiences more than touristy, local city experiences. Our services are personalized, tailored to the traveler, we don’t work with fixed packages but listen to their needs, tastes, and interests, and with that information, we create a travel itinerary for them.” Authenticity is another characteristic of this agency, which, for example, accompanies visits to the Gold Museum with a goldsmith, “he knows gold work, so he gives a different dynamic to the tour and shares his vision as a craftsman of the pieces. At the end, the experience is complemented with a visit to the goldsmith’s workshop, where tourists learn how metals are worked and can craft a piece they will take home as a souvenir.”
Courtesy of Traviat Path
The fact of making everything personalized makes the client feel confident and relaxed, “we save them time, effort, and worries,” say the Puerto Ricans. Their mission is for tourists to have a trip that transforms them, with deep experiences that enrich them. “We are in the wave of conscious and sustainable travel, always thinking about satisfying clients without compromising the future of destinations. What we offer is totally local: accommodations, restaurants, transportation, tour guides, insurance. We always bet on local for national development,” concludes.
These are just some of the many new tourism options that will help you explore, understand, and fall in love with Colombia. Undoubtedly, there is still much to discover, travel, and show of this unparalleled country that calls on all entrepreneurs to join in writing this new chapter of responsible, careful, and equitable Colombian tourism with communities, thinking about the sustainability of our territories and how to showcase the best of Colombia.
Written by: Natalia Jiménez Durán
Original article: https://www.playboy.co