Santa Marta is positioning itself as a strategic destination for meeting and wellness tourism

What are your expectations for Santa Marta coming to promote itself at this event, and how was this first day?

Santa Marta arrives with high expectations of establishing itself as a strong destination, with a significant infrastructure for meeting tourism. We have held meetings with associations from countries such as Panama, Mexico, the United States, Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba. We have three main goals: to attract events related to wellness tourism, taking advantage of our natural hub, thanks to the Sierra Nevada and Tayrona Park; to attract meetings on marine conservation; and to position ourselves as an ideal venue for medical associations seeking new experiences for their attendees.

Your participation coincides with the city's 500th anniversary celebrations. What does that represent?

Santa Marta is about to turn 500, and while there are already a number of events, we are also developing new proposals. We have spoken with ProColombia and the ICA to strengthen the meetings segment with concrete initiatives. One of them is to develop a manual of best practices to be signed in Santa Marta. We are closely monitoring how these events will be integrated into the commemoration and the legacy we want to build beyond the specific celebration.

What are the main infrastructure developments you could highlight?

We have key projects planned for the next five years. One is the construction of a new convention center. Additionally, six tourist piers are being developed that will connect different areas such as El Rodadero and Pozos Colorados. We also highlight a new hall in the Tayrona corridor, by the Tide Beach company, built with bio-architecture and local materials. It has capacity for 250 to 300 people and is focused on well-being.

What goals have you set as a Bureau for the coming months?

We want to continue strengthening initiatives that reflect Santa Marta's calling. Over the next six months, we will hold workshops with psychology faculties to identify research on mental health. There are many testimonies from people who, after going through difficult times, found well-being living in Santa Marta.

Together with Invemar, the Institute for Maritime and Coastal Research, we have also identified significant advances in oceanography. Although the data is not limited to Santa Marta, it is collected and processed there. Finally, sustainable tourism is a priority: we are seeking concrete actions to improve our practices at the economic, social, and environmental levels.