Tourism

Despite Colombia’s extensive natural beauty and bustling cities, its tourism industry has traditionally underperformed relative to its actual potential; however, international visitor arrivals rose by 70% between 2010 and 2015, contributing to the 17% increase in employment during those years. Overall, the coming years are expected to be marked by double-digit growth in tourism indicators. The devaluation of the peso, ongoing promotional efforts and the country’s enhanced profile provide a window of opportunity for Colombia to attract more tourists. To solidify the sector’s contribution to GDP, continued investment in infrastructure and the development of varied segments will be necessary. This chapter features an interview with María Claudia Lacouture, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.