Key Takeaways
- Won 14 categories at the World Travel Awards for South America, recognizing diverse destinations.
- Bookings surged by 148% in mid-year, underlining tourism’s economic importance.
- Colombia introduced a simplified visa for digital nomads with minimal income and health insurance requirements.
Bogotá, Colombia–The Tourism Board of Colombia announced in a news release that they have won multiple categories of the World Travel Awards for South America.
Diverse Accolades
The event, held in Barranquilla, Colombia, in September this year, saw the country being granted a total of 14 recognitions, including:
San Andrés as ‘South America’s Leading beach destination,’ Medellín as the ‘Leading Emerging Destination, Bogotá as the ‘Leading business destination,’ Cali as the ‘Leading Cultural City,’ Barranquilla as the ‘Leading destination for festivities and events,’ and Cartagena as the ‘Leading destination for honeymoons,’ amongst others.
Tourism Boom and Economic Impact
“Bookings to Colombia for the mid-year season exceeded the 2021 record by 148%,” said Gilberto Salcedo, Vice President of the Ministry of Tourism, in the release, adding that tourism was the leading non-mining energy sector, and the objective was to “make it an even more important player in the national economy.”
The World Travel Awards is an authoritative multinational organization that operates in various continents and evaluates the tourism industry.
Colombia recently launched a digital nomad visa with relaxed application requirements. Foreigners need only have a minimum monthly income of $684, health insurance, and a document that proves employment.
Natural Richness and Global Appeal
According to a study published in National Geographic, Colombia — nestled at the continent’s heart — contains 10% of the entire planet’s biodiversity, with more than 1,900 species of birds, 3,600 species of butterflies, and over 4,000 species of orchids. The Latin American country has often been listed as a top global destination.
What We Think
Colombia’s extensive recognition at the World Travel Awards showcases its diverse and appealing tourist destinations.
The surge in bookings signals a growing interest in the country’s offerings. The introduction of a digital nomad visa aligns with global work trends, potentially attracting remote workers and contributing to the country’s economy.
With its rich biodiversity and renowned attractions, Colombia’s position as a sought-after global destination remains robust.
Read more in this news release.
