Six requests from travel and tourism agencies to the Government

This Wednesday, February 22, the Anato Tourist Showcase was inaugurated in Corferias in Bogotá, a union that brings together the country’s travel and tourism agencies.

(Reasons why Colombia is a safe bet for tourism).

This tourist sample will be until Saturday February 24 and will have more than 1,200 exhibitors and co-exhibitors from nearly 26 countries. It will also have the participation of the 32 departments of Colombia.

The inaugural act was attended by the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro, who accompanied the executive president of Anato, Paula Cortés Calle; as well as the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Germán Umaña; Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, David Collado; governor of the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, Everth Hawkins; and president of ProColombia, Carmen Caballero.

In her inaugural speech, the executive president of Anato took the opportunity to express to the president the recovery that the sector has had in recent years and some requests to continue with this positive rhythm, for the benefit of businessmen and travelers.

(Tourism budget grew 87% and will be around $500,000 million).

“President, Gustavo Petro, your presence here is of great importance for the attendees, tourism and the country. You have given a leading role to this industry within your Government Plan, to reach the highest number of foreign visitors by 2026, generating employment and development for the regions that have suffered the most from the war”, said the union leader.

Among the requests made by the union to the National Government, are: support in the National Development Plan and that of the Congress of the Republic to maintain VAT at 5% on air tickets; also, regarding hotel and tourism services, maintain the VAT exemption or seek a differential rate.

Likewise, bet on the governance of the country. That the entire ministerial cabinet, governors and mayors know, understand and guide actions towards the Tourism Sector Plan, in order to increase competitiveness, connectivity and sustainability throughout the territory.

Another of the requests was related to the strengthening of air connectivity, giving continuity to the work carried out with ProColombia and the Civil Aeronautics in the attraction of new airlines and the extension of the route network.

The fourth aspect referred to the preparation of destinations for tourism, hand in hand with ministries, communities and local authorities, to help them organize and find more and better working conditions for tourism service providers that are part of the popular economy.

(Hotel panorama: fewer guests and more price increases).

He also referred to the strengthening of the country brand abroad. Therefore, he expressed the importance of ProColombia continuing to promote the country’s tourism through all its offices internationally.

And finally, it was insisted that it is essential to know the financial health of the airlines that are and those that arrive in the country. “Air transport companies that decide to operate in Colombia, in addition to having sufficient financial and operational strength, in the face of consumers, must have a way to guarantee that they will respond in the event of not being able to provide services. It cannot continue to happen that these companies go bankrupt and the Travel Agents are left answering for the services, with unfair sanctions”.

For his part, the President of the Republic, Gustavo Petro, assured that tourism is fundamental in the decarbonization process and that peace, linked to a social balance, is of great importance to develop the sector. Finally, He referred to the fact that more market must be created since Colombia is still unknown to be able to go from USD 7,000 million to USD 15,000 million.

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