Feel the rhythm of Colombia at FITUR 2019
Colombia is celebrating its musical wealth and heritage. Colombia's booth at one of the world’s leading travel fair, set to begin next Wednesday in Madrid, is a large music box where visitors will experience live concerts, learn the steps to dance salsa and vallenato, play typical instruments like the marimba and taste unique and traditional dishes.
ProColombia is underlining the importance of music to tourism with the launch of a White Paper “Music is the new gastronomy” at Fitur. The White Paper, produced in partnership with UNWTO and Sound Diplomacy, explores how musical tourism is set to increase in a similar way to the explosion in interest of gastronomy and travel in the last few years.
- Colombia has its own stand at FITUR LGBT to present its offer, focused on cultural tourism, nature and wellness, fairs and music festivals, where ProColombia launches the 'Guide for the development of LGBT tourism’, written in collaboration with Peter Jordan.
Madrid, January 16. Colombia returns to FITUR with an offer full of experiences of nature, music and, gastronomy, with more than 40 expert entrepreneurs, representatives of regional promotion offices and the main associations of the sector.
The Colombian delegation is led by Juan Pablo Franky, Vice Minister of Tourism of the Government of Colombia and Flavia Santoro, president of ProColombia, the official agency for the promotion of investment, tourism, exports, and the country brand.
According to the promotion strategy of ProColombia, based on the musical diversity of "the country of a thousand rhythms", the stand will be a great music box, with activations to travel the main destinations of the country, trough the rhythm of cumbia, bullerengue, bambuco, salsa and currulao. On weekend, Colombia will offer music and live dances by the Baranoa band, a Big Band made up of 40 children and young people, between 6 and 15 years old, who will perform at the main stages of the fair.
Colombia is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination. International travel to Colombia is up more than 10 percent in 2018, and much of that has to do with all of the new public and private investment in tourism infrastructure during the last few years. The nation’s stable political climate, sustainable economic development strategies, and a healthy tax incentive to lure global hospitality brands to Colombia are also contributing to the robust growth.
Music is the new gastronomy
Tourist board ProColombia is underlining the importance of music to tourism with the launch of a White Paper at Fitur. The White Paper, produced in partnership with UNWTO and Sound Diplomacy, explores how musical tourism is set to increase in a similar way to the explosion in interest of gastronomy and travel in the last few years.
“Music is our only universal language. It is more powerful than English, Spanish or Chinese, as it communicates at an emotional level and, therefore, has the capacity to reach and touch people irrespective of their geographical location or nationality”, says Julian Guerrero, Vice-president of tourism of ProColombia and co-author of the document, “we want to generate a conversation, not only in Colombia but around the world, about the relationship between music and tourism. Two industries that are growing worldwide”.
The full Music Tourism White Paper is available free for a limited period, here.
Press Invitation
Wednesday 23 / 13:00
Inauguration. With the presence of Juan Pablo Franky, Deputy Minister of Tourism of ProColombia; Flavia Santoro, President of ProColombia, Julián Guerrero, Vice President of Tourism of ProColombia, tourism companies and representatives of the main associations of the sector. Feel the Rhythm of Colombia with the Band of Baranoa, made up of children between 7 and 17 years old. Enjoy the cuisine and the best coffee of the world. (Hall 3 / # 3C06)
Thursday 24 / 11:00
Launch of the Guide for the development of LGBT tourism in Colombia ProColombia presents a fundamental tool to know the market and build specialized tourism products. Participants: Julián Guerrero, Vice President of Tourism of ProColombia and Peter Jordan, author of the document.
(FITUR LGBT Scenario / Hall 3) * An aperitif for press will be offered at the Colombia stand (3B35)
Thursday 24 / 16:00
Colombia, a destination of culture, nature and music. The Vice President of Tourism of ProColombia presents the tourism promotion strategy of Colombia and the main destinations and experiences of the culture, nature and music segments. Presentation of the White paper 'Music is the new gastronomy. (Hall 3 / # 3C06)
Saturday 25/ 13:00
Musical Magazine of Colombia, by the Departmental Band of Baranoa, made up of children and youth from the Colombian Caribbean. (Hall 3 / # 3C06)
For interviews and confirmations, please contact:
Marian Sagredo / Communications Advisor Europe
34 (91) 5776 708
34 679048885
Carolina Ethel / Head of Communications Europe
cemartinez@procolombia.co