INTERNATIONAL media has been highlighting COLOMBIA as a safe, world-class destination

The New York Times positioned Colombia in second place, after Istanbul, on the list of most interesting places to visit in 2011.

In 2013, The Wall Street Journal stated that Bogota “has become an international entertainment centre, drawing jet-setters with a taste for gourmet eateries, chic boutiques and contemporary galleries”.

CNN highlighted Colombia as one of the best destinations to visit in 2013.

In its article entitled 10 things you should know before visiting Colombia, CNN emphasised Colombia’s progress in security, assuring that “premonitions and stereotypes should be swept aside before visiting this South American of spectacular scenery”.

In April 2013, the BBC listed the Clock Tower in Cartagena as one of the world’s most beautiful clock towers, alongside towers in London, San Francisco, Prague and Kuala Lumpur: “In Colombia, the four-sided Torre del Reloj gate grants access to the most charming part of Cartagena – a walled section of 18th-century mansions, leafy squares and street cafes”. Colombia Destinations UNESCO declared Cartagena a World Heritage Site in November 1984 and the Coffee Region a World Heritage Landscape in 2011. UNESCO also included the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary on the World Heritage List. A SAFE TOURIST An enormous variety of interesting possibilities, including history and culture, sports, adventure, , sun and beaches, can be enjoyed in Bogota, San Andres, Cartagena, the Coffee Region, Destination Santander, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and Santa Marta.

I love Colombia for its natural beauty. I’d love live in the coffee region! Renée Purdy, Canadian Tourist

The Government of Colombia has worked hard to improve security conditions across the country, making it a safe destination for Colombian and foreign tourists.

Bogota is a capital city with style that caters for different In Santa Marta I found that the magic realism of García tastes and offers something special for everyone. Márquez is no metaphor; it is the poetic and remarkable way Natalia Cantillo, Mexican Tourist in which its people see and live their lives. Laura Damme, German Tourist The number of FOREIGN TOURISTS IS INCREASING The new Colombia can be seen and experienced on our beaches and in our jungles, in our modern cities and our small towns, and 1,692,821 1,582,110 along our highways which run through spectacular landscapes. The Government of the , the 1,474,884 country of origin of the largest number of 1,353,760 President Juan Manuel Santos 1,195,440 1,222,966 27 February 2013 tourists to Colombia, has been 1,053,344 2012 2013 933,244 acknowledging Colombia’s enormous 790,940 , recreation 864,016 and leisure 338,684 345,743 progress in recent years in guaranteeing Business and the safety of those who visit the country. Reasons for travelling to Colombia professional reasons 55,546 77,616 In its latest publication, Colombia is JANUARY-APRIL Work 52,532 56,774 recognised as a safe destination for Transit those who visit, not only as tourists, but Jan-Jun 22,805 16,683 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 20122013 Education and training Total 2012 also as students, business travellers and 2012-2013 3,701 3,495 Source: Migración Colombia 514,043 volunteers. Health and medical services 1,543 1,493 Other Total 2013 39,323 32,529 534,333 60% I encourage anybody that is considering coming to TOURISTS BY NATIONALITY, 2012 Bogota 52 % Colombia to please do so. You will be very surprised! 50% BILL CALFEE, 40% Tourist Arrivals President of the Nationwide Tour 30% BY CITY Other 14% USA 19% 20% Cartagena 12,8% JANUARY-APRIL 2% 10% What has happened in Colombia has been 2% 0% 2012-2013 magni cent. A real case of success, of technological Panama 2% implementation, training, strategy and intelligence. 2% 3%

Cali 6.8% STEPHEN C. DONEHOO, Other 6.7% Cucuta 1.7% Pereira 1.1% Pereira Venezuela Medellin 10% Managing Partner, McLarty Associates 3%

San Andres 3.2% 15% Santa Marta 1.4% Barranquilla 3.1% Bucaramanga 1.3% Chile 4% Colombia’s achievements in security are re ected in the constantly increasing number of Colombia is the new champion of the region, thanks foreign tourists who visit each year. While in the rest of the world grew at an average 5% Ecuador 7% rate of 3.8%, in Colombia it increased at the rate of 8.9% between 2005 and 20121. to its economic and social transformation. Brazil 5% KLAUS SCHWAB, Argentina 7% Founder and Director, World Economic Forum Peru 5% 6% 1 Procolombia