Colombia shone at one of the most important tourism fairs in Europe, as the country won a silver medal as the best stand and exhibitor at ITB Berlin in the Americas and the Caribbean category, an event that took place from March 7 to 9 with a delegation of 23 Colombian companies and operators that, in addition, managed to generate business for more than USD 21.5 million.
On the last day of the fair, a ceremony was held to recognize the best participating countries, and in this Colombia received the silver medal for standing out for having an accessible and innovative stand and, in addition, for being 100% sustainable and digitized.
“We are very proud of this recognition that we received at ITB Berlin, as it is the result of our country's work to promote sustainable tourism, in harmony with life and that contributes to the development and visibility of those territories that are part of that Colombia. that we want to present to the world”, said the Vice Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bravo.
For the president of ProColombia, Carmen Caballero, “our Colombian businessmen managed to attract the attention of the international companies with which they met to generate a business expectation close to USD 21.5 million. Definitely, it is a great return of Colombia to the stage of IBT Berlin”.
On this occasion, the fair was aimed at a professional public and this is how Colombian companies had nearly 320 appointments with businessmen from 33 countries such as the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany, as well as new markets such as Greece, India, Serbia, Vietnam or Pakistan.
Under the leadership of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and the accompaniment of ProColombia and the Colombian Ambassador to Germany, Yadir Salazar Mejía, the country internationally launched the tourist stamp "Colombia: Destinations of Peace", which highlights the work of the actors that build peace, promotes an inclusive local and regional economy and fosters scenarios of opportunities for productive inclusion in the tourism sector.
The delegation's agenda included appointments with spokespersons for the German parliament, as well as the airlines Edelweiss, Iberia or Eurowings, entities such as IGLTA, hotels and chains such as Holtelplan Suisse and tour operators, agencies and industry companies such as Select Luxury Travel, Travelzoo, Gebecco or Best FerienWohnung Gmbh.
During the fair there was a cultural agenda that included tastings of the renowned Colombian coffee of the Juan Valdez brand, as well as preparations of panela from the Guatavita brand.
Laura Durana, Director of Acotur, Colombian Association of Responsible Tourism, said: “We return to ITB with great force! Europeans with high intentions of traveling to Colombia and businessmen satisfied with the organization and business. A good face for the industry, a 100% sustainable and digitized stand”
For his part, Samuel Mejía, Aviatur's receptive tourism manager and part of the Colombian delegation at the fair, highlights his presence: "The German market has a lot of sensitivity and purchasing power regarding the product that we can start selling in terms of well-being and sustainable tourism, so this fair is very important to us”.
In addition, Lina María Duque Osman, representative of the Government of Quindío, adds: "our objective has been to present the heart of Colombia to the entire world." From Magical Colombia, a company that already has a presence in Europe, they report that their presence at the fair is motivated because "although we already have a presence in nearby countries such as Italy, we want to start expanding in Germany."
The stand's architecture was inspired by Ciudad Perdida, the main urban center of the ancient Tayrona civilization built around the year 700 and located on one of the highest coastal snow-capped peaks in the world. Visitors to the Colombia stand entered the 6 Tourist Regions of Colombia: Amazonia-Orinoquía, Western Andes, Eastern Andes, Greater Colombian Caribbean, Macizo and Pacific.