Photo: The majority of the funding will go toward the construction of 88 piers on various waterways in Colombia. (Credit: MinCIT).

The investment plan, which was announced last month by the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), also calls for an investment of $5.6 million USD into seven projects dedicated to promoting nature tourism and cultural tourism in a wide range of departments, including the rural and sparsely populated areas of Vichada, Vaupés, Guainía, Guaviare, Caquetá, Chocó, and Amazonas.

Another project will provide funding for a gastronomic enclosure in Santa Rosa de Cabal, a popular tourism town in Risaralda. 

Roughly $600,000 USD was allocated to finance two specific projects aimed at, respectively, stimulating tourism in areas with vulnerable populations and strengthening tourism businesses within the Antioquia-Chocó tourist corridor through the Urabá tourist route.

About half a million dollars will go to Fontur to spend on the promotion and bolstering of tourism across 40 Colombian cities. 

Finally, MinCIT noted that around $1.3 million USD will be invested into customer service, data analysis tools, and other programs that will support the tourism sector.

Photo: Caño Cristales in La Macarena has been called “The Liquid Rainbow,” and even “The Most Beautiful River in the World,” due to the aquatic plants that come to life for a few months every year.

Medals were handed out on September 22 at the 18th Regional Meeting of Tourism Authorities in the following categories: tourism governance, tourism quality, good practices in social tourism, and innovation and digital transformation.

The Winners

Tourism Governance

• Mayor’s Office of La Macarena (Meta)

Tourist Quality

• EXYTURES
• Lagos Club Comfatolima Recreation and Vacation Center

Good Practices in Social Tourism

• Santa Rosa de Cabal (Risaralda)
• Tambo (Cauca) Association of Tourism, Rural Development, and Culture
• Universidad Autónoma de Occidente
• Parque Jaime Duque

Innovation and Digital Transformation

• Governor’s Office of Antioquia
• Vivamos el Campo S.A.S.
• 5ta Saroco
• Posada Kauai S.A.S.

In addition to these primary categories, four honorary medals were also handed out to Gustavo Adolfo Toro Velásquez, Rafael Eduardo Avella Bonilla, Diana García, and CaminanTr3s.

Speaking on the achievements of all the recipients, Arturo Bravo, vice minister of tourism, said at the awards ceremony that “they position Colombia, the country of beauty, on the world map of tourism,” said

He added that, “these leaders deserve to be recognized for their special and distinguished services to tourism in the country because their daily work they promote economic justice for communities, territories and ecosystems.”

The winners were selected from more than 120 nominees submitted to MinCIT by the public. Industry companies, tourist agencies, academic institutions, and public organizations are all eligible for the medal.

During the preparation and construction phases, a gold nosepiece, 68 complete ceramic pieces, 20 restored ceramic pieces, 1,029 lithic pieces or stone objects and 23,000 fragments, as well as bone remains and ceramic seals have been recovered. In addition to this, the archaeology teams found 14 tombs of which 8 are in perfect condition.

With the findings it was possible to describe a sequence of occupation of several epochs spanning at least 2,000 years, from the 5th century BC to the 15th century AD. Although most of the materials belong to the Mirador period, between 1,200 and 1,500 AD.

• Among the findings there are 68 complete ceramic pieces, 1,209 stone objects and a gold nosepiece, together covering 2,000 years of human culture.
• 14 tombs have also been found, 8 of which are in perfect condition.

The entire archaeological collection was delivered for preservation and care at the Technological University of Pereira. This collection will continue to accrete any additional archaeological findings that are found by the project until the completion of the construction of the entire pipeline.

For this project, an Archaeological Management Plan was established, which includes the rescue, prior to and during construction, of the identified sites along the route of the new section.

The archaeological investigation of the area began in 2013 before beginning the construction work. Throughout the 55 km of the route, 124 sites were identified, of which 78 were excavated and were part of the archaeological rescue.

Although most of the rescue was made prior to the start of the works, during the construction and laying of the pipeline, a professional archaeology team continues accompanying the excavation and engineering workers to guarantee the protection of Colombia’s archaeological heritage.

According to Ecopetrol, he work, which is estimated to be completed later this year, is conducted subject to all the required safeguards and permits, and in compliance with environmental and archaeology standards to ensure the preservation of the territories and their surroundings.

The new section of the pipeline has an extension of 55 kilometers between Chinchiná and Pereira, passing through the municipalities of Santa Rosa de Cabal and Marseille.

“It is a work of high engineering that is developed in harmony with the environment, the care of the coffee landscape, respect for indigenous culture, the conservation of archaeological heritage and the creation of social value.” Said Ecopetrol in a statement.

Photos courtesy of Ecopetrol