The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, together with Fontur and in alliance with the Chamber of Diversity, have launched ‘Routes with Pride’, a program that seeks to promote inclusion in Colombian tourism. This initiative’s main objective is to identify the needs of the LGBTIQ+ population and improve the design of tourist experiences. Besides, It is proposed to strengthen the incorporation of this perspective in territorial public policies in eight cities of the country: Bogotá, Cali, Medellín, Pereira, Cartagena, Villavicencio, San Andrés and Neiva.
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The Vice Minister of Tourism, Juan Manrique Camargo, explained that “This project had an investment of $1,216 million pesos, it is a pioneer in Colombia and ratifies the commitment of the Government of Change to strengthen the inclusion, in the design and execution of public policies, of the LGBTIQ+ community.” Furthermore, he highlighted that “We are taking a big step to generate a culture of equal treatment and thus advance the democratization of tourism through better structured experiences.”
Felipe Cárdenas, president of the Chamber of Diversity, stated that “with ‘Routes with Pride’ They seek to position Colombia as an inclusive destination at a regional and global level. “At this moment we are applying a survey that will allow us to understand the experiences, preferences and travel needs of the LGBTIQ+ population in these cities.” He also mentioned that “this population allocates an important part of their income to tourism, a sector that in Colombia is supported by an inclusive legislative framework, reflecting our commitment to respect and diversity.”
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LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
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On the other hand, Fernando Estupiñán, manager (e) of Fontur, extended an invitation to participate in the survey, which will be available until January 8, 2025 and can be completed in less than five minutes by entering the link: https://bit.ly/EncuestaFonturCamDiversidad. According to Estupiñán, “Answering this survey will not only allow you to win round-trip air tickets to any national destination, but also contribute to strengthening #ElPaísDeLaBelleza as a safe, sustainable and inclusive space.”
The tourism offer for the LGBTIQ+ population in Colombia has traditionally been focused on nightlife, leaving aside the diversity of travel styles and preferences of this community. According to CMI Community Marketing’s 2023 report, This segment prioritizes sustainable, safe and friendly destinations, ideal for trips alone, as a couple or with diverse families.
The report also highlights key differences in travel preferences within this population:
• Lesbian and bisexual women prefer less crowded destinations.
• Gay and bisexual men look for prominent and exclusive places, with opportunities to socialize.
• Transgender, non-binary and transsexual people value the use of inclusive language, both verbally and in public signage.
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In this first phase, ‘Routes with Pride’ also has the priority of collecting key information to design solutions tailored to the real needs of tourists. The survey currently being developed will identify specific aspects that destinations and operators must improve to ensure satisfactory and inclusive experiences. Finally, the project will advance towards its second phase with the creation of the Colombian LGBTIQ+ Tourism Guide.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
