Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru launch Caminos Andinos at FITUR, a digital platform with the region´s tourist offer

Within the framework of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR), the tourism authorities of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and the General Secretariat of the Andean Community (CAN) announced the upcoming launch of the “Andean Roads” platform. This is an initiative that seeks to strengthen the positioning of the Andean countries as a tourist region, with a diversified and decentralized offer, made up of routes that, in addition to connecting mature and conventional destinations, also promote visits to lesser-known destinations, which will generate a positive impact on local communities.

He stressed that promoting tourism in the region is to boost the generation of employment and foreign currency, which is very important since the Andean Community, as a whole, receives 1% of global tourism. “We are convinced that we can have a greater participation in international tourism. Therefore, guided by the integrative spirit, we are working on a consolidated offer of our tourist attractions that can be presented to the international community through a digital platform,” explained the Secretary General of the CAN.

The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Ambassador Gonzalo Gutiérrez, stressed that this project has been worked on jointly between countries since 2022, as a tool to recover the tourism industry in the Andean region, which was affected by the COVID-19 health emergency.

Alberto Lora, General Director of Productive Transformation, Physical Integration and Services of the General Secretariat of the Andean Community, explained that “Caminos Andinos” will provide detailed information on routes throughout the Andean countries and will offer useful recommendations on climate, transportation, currency, culture, gastronomy and customs, thus facilitating travel planning.

Tourism, which in 2024 represented an average of 2% of GDP in each Andean country, has become a priority sector for the development of these territories. Thus, in the same year, the sector generated approximately 3.8 million jobs in the region and received 11.6 million non-resident visitors. According to UN Tourism, 52% of jobs in this sector in Latin America are occupied by women. In addition, 80% of companies dedicated to tourism in the Andean Community are micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which highlights the importance of strengthening this sector for the benefit of the local economy.

The main countries that send visitors to the Andean Community are the United States, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, Spain, France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom stand out. In the South American context, Chile, Argentina and Brazil are positioned as key source markets.

“Caminos Andinos” will offer tourists a unique and authentic experience that highlights the cultural and natural wealth of the coastal, mountain and Amazonian destinations that the Andean region offers as a whole.

Representatives of the tourism authorities of the countries of the Andean Community participated in the presentation: Mateo Estrella, Minister of Tourism of Ecuador; Juan Manrique Camargo, Vice Minister of Tourism of Colombia; Bernardo Chura, Director General of Regulation of Tourism Services and Operations of Bolivia; and Sol Velásquez, Director of Tourism Promotion of PROMPERÚ of Peru.

Source: Comunidad Andina.