Official Name: República de Colombia
Capital City: Bogotá
Official Language: Spanish
Head of State: President Alvaro Uribe V. (2002 - Up to date)
Dialing code: +57
Whether you are looking to expand you portfolio of investments, open new markets, gain new potential customers, or, visit green mountains, hike in virgin national parks, relax in deserted beaches, and visit culturally charged colourful` carnivals; Colombia is the perfect destination. In addition, The Lonely Planet Traveller’s Guide, has classified this developing South American country as having is a thriving friendly society with some of the best universities and health care services in South America.
Security issues have always been a major concern among travellers but as publications from respected organizations like the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and The Guardian have specifically pointed out; major improvements have been made to increase the safety levels in the country. Last year Colombia received over 1.2 million tourists, and this number is expected to rise up top 5 million by 2010. More people are now going to Colombia every year, both for business and Pleasure. During 2007 FDI in Colombia reached US$9,028 millions and export levels have doubled since 2002.
To Learn More about tourism in Colombia, its culture, its people, specific destinations and further general information, please explore the following sources of information
Tourism Web-Links
Lonely Planet Guide - www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/colombia/
Bradt Guide - www.bradt-travelguides.com/details.asp?prodid=187
Proexport Tourism - www.proexport.com.co
Mincomex Col – www.mincomex.gov.co
World Travel and Tourism agency - www.wttc.org
Publications
The Guardian Report on Colombia – 8 June, 2007
http://business.guardian.co.uk/insidecolombia
CSIS Report – 27 Nov. 2007
http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_pubs/task,view/id,4166/
Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report - 2008
http://www.weforum.org/ttcr08browse/index.html
THE 2008 TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC RESEARCH
COLOMBIA (Travel&Tourism Council) – 1 February 2008
http://wttc.travel/download.php?file=http://www.wttc.org/bin/pdf/original_pdf_file/colombia.pdf