Colombia has launched a new tourist label, “Destinations of Peace”: what is it and what are its advantages

In order to highlight the work of actors who build peace in Colombia through tourism, Launch of the Ministry of Commerce during the Tourist Showcase 2023 Since Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (Anato) the stamp “Colombia: destinations of peace”.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, “the stamp is a mechanism that makes it possible to boost the local and regional economies of peace tourism territories which have a tourist vocation and potential and which have been affected by the armed conflict or have undertaken actions to reconciliation and coexistence”.

The portfolio explained that the new tourist stamp is inspired by the flower “rising peace” (Eleagia pacisnasci), which was discovered in the town of The Rock, Santanderone of the Colombian destinations previously banned due to the armed conflict in the country.

“The seal is composed of a circular design that represents unity and collective work in this mission of building total peace, inspired by these hands that open the way to reconciliation; surrounded by the colors of our flag, as a symbol of fraternity”, underlined the Commerce portfolio.

The actors who receive the label will be able to access the support of the Ministry of Commerce to strengthen their technical and organizational capacities in terms of responsible tourismin order not only to improve their production line, but also, to access new financing lines, subsidies and other tourist incentives.

Between the actors of tourism of paz that podrán acceder al nuevo sello, están: población víctima del conflicto armado, los firmantes del acuerdo de paz, desvinculados y desmovilizados en armas, la población en procesos de sustitución de cultivos ilícitos, los prestadores de servicios turísticos , among others.

“This seal invites unity, collective, arduous, continuous and interrupted work to build total peace, respecting the heritage of territories that bet on life”assured the Minister of Commerce, Germán Umaña.

It should be mentioned that from the delivery of the seal “Colombia: destinations of peace”, the Ministry of Commerce will form the “network of tourist territories of peace”through which actors in the peace tourism segment will be able to participate, among other things, in “special regional, national and international business round tables”.

“Thus, when the community or visitors see this symbol, they will know that they are facing those who make Colombia a tourist territory that has resumed the path of nascent peace towards total peace”, emphasizes the portfolio.

It must be remembered that the throwing of the seal “Colombia: destinations of peace” comes just days after the national government presented the tourism sector plan with whom they will seek to reaffirm the country as a destination for peace.

On the initiative, the Government will recall that by the end of 2023arrived in Colombia 5.44 million tourists while, for the 2026predicts that the number of non-resident visitors arriving in the national territory will increase to 7.5 million.

“Following the mandate of President Gustavo Petro to consolidate a tourist industry in harmony with life, sustainable, protective of the environment and which contributes to the construction of peace in the territories with new income, we present our policy to the country, with the that we bet on the economic transition and the development of the sector, taking advantage of the natural wealth and the immense tourist potential of Colombia”said Trade Minister Germán Umaña.

Among the strategic axes on which the tourism sector plan will focus are: the democratization of the sector as a transformative force for peace, the development of tourist territories based on well-being and equity, tourism as an alternative to economic transition , among others. .