What will become of Colombia in 10 years (and therefore, us)?

Leeroy says on Feb 18, 2008, 12:30:

1 - Thailand. Thailand had a (ahem) "rich" culture of pedophilia/tourism way before the gringos arrived. They took advantage of the industry, and undoubtedly fed it, but Thailand would have underaged whores on drugs and booze with or without foreigners. I do not see Colombia in that state, and do not think that gringo sex tourists could turn the country into that by themslves.

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miamimike says on Feb 18, 2008, 12:50:

I wouldn't worry too much about Colombia becoming a Tourist Mecca in the sense that Brazil/Costa Rica/Mexico are. I doubt it will happen in your lifetime,,,

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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gatogris says on Feb 18, 2008, 12:55:

I dunno mm, global capital can move awful quick like, I've only been coming to Colombia for seven years and I've seen alot of stuff change in that time. It's not that I'm so worried, but change is coming, maybe already here, and I'm interested to see what form it will take...

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tomtom33 says on Feb 18, 2008, 13:05:

There aren't going to be many ecotourists renting 4x4s to drive around the countryside any time soon. My guess is that Cartagena and Santa Marta will get the brunt of the tourism. And Cartagena has been geared to the tourist for some time now.

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Medellin Traveler says on Feb 18, 2008, 13:06:

3) The Brazil. Although saddled with plenty of problems, Colombia manages to maintain enough independently produced capital and business to have a large tourist sector, but not be completely dependent on this form of income. Therefore, an independent culture continues to thrive alongside the tourist industry, and the country is able to interact with tourists without the burden of having to constantly extract cash. Furthermore, the country attracts tourists of all walks of life and levels of wealth, and even manages to encourage some 'sustainable tourism.'

I'd vote for the third option.

Only time will tell, but there is definitely a lot of positives changes developing, with the push for education being by far the best opportunity for all.

La cuidad de la primavera, estoy feliz porque te vuelvo a ver - www.medellintraveler.com

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Simon says on Feb 18, 2008, 13:49:

"I wouldn't worry too much about Colombia becoming a Tourist Mecca in the sense that Brazil/Costa Rica/Mexico are. I doubt it will happen in your lifetime,,,"

Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence, Miamimike!

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

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dwmte7 says on Feb 18, 2008, 15:26:

i've watched a shit-load of change over the last 19 years in and around medallo. more than one can imagine if they didn't have the experience of the 80's. every inch of medallo, from bello to sabaneta and las americas to el retiro, was like the ok corral. now, it's just a bunch of lazy burroughs that in many respects, are lack lustre. as for the change that's come and is coming. hell it'll continue. and scenes like lleras will spring up here and there and only become worse. however, the colombia, that few tourists ever become familiar with, will never change. it's timeless, but not found in tourist traps. rest assured that dear mother colombia will always be there for those who love and respect her.

dwmte

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 18, 2008, 15:30:

If I have to pick, I'll pick #3.

Colombia can NEVER become Panama or Costa Rica because it's simply too BIG. It's darn hard to overwhelm 40 million people with tourism.

And, I'm sorry but the description of Thailand is really the description of one sordid but not-defining scene in Thailand. The sex trade isn't why most people visit there or what most people there do for a living.

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dwmte7 says on Feb 18, 2008, 15:36:

ditto, hollywood. dw

dwmte

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gatogris says on Feb 18, 2008, 15:43:

To clarify, the idea here is not what will overwhelm Colombia (despite the admittedly sensationalistic post title), but what form will the tourism in Colombia take. Furthermore, the three options are not meant to be literal (after all, Brazil has a huge sex tourism industry and Costa Rica has plenty of non-touristy areas), but rather descriptive options of what might be the prevailing winds of change here as the country becomes MORE touristy over the next few years.

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bickerss says on Feb 18, 2008, 17:45:

colombia is already seing a huge influx of backpackers compaerd to 3 or 4 years ago - look at how many hostels are in medellin now - 3 more have opened near p lleres in the last three months. More upscale people will follow once they start to hear how nice it is and start believing that they are not going to get kidnapped the second they step off the plane.

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MitchAlvarez says on Feb 18, 2008, 17:52:

interesting question. but like many said only time will tell. i think politics is going to play a big role very soon. who will take over after uribe? what will happen with all this bs with venezuela? if mcain or hillary/obama win how will the US/Colombia relationship change if at all.

"Ingrid callate la jeta!! Stay in France"

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Mr. Hollywood says on Feb 18, 2008, 19:02:

Well, I really hope that Colombia becomes secure enough that eco-travel is a really safe option. And I think places like Cartagena and other historical places will also have quite a draw.

Could happen. Look at Peru. Or Argentina. Or Chile. All have had serious bouts with political violence in the last half-century and emerged pretty well.

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rocinante says on Feb 18, 2008, 19:16:

"who will take over after uribe? " MitchAlvarez

They may not be born yet, meaning you might never know. Uribe will get a 3rd term, done deal. After that?

"World economic indicators point to a democrat winning 2008. It will surely be Obama. Peso 1400 by November" Feb 5, 2008

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miamimike says on Feb 18, 2008, 20:12:

Simon says on Monday February 18th, 2008 13:49:

"I wouldn't worry too much about Colombia becoming a Tourist Mecca in the sense that Brazil/Costa Rica/Mexico are. I doubt it will happen in your lifetime,,,"

Gee, thanks for that vote of confidence, Miamimike!
===================================================================

Simon, I would think you would welome that possibility! LOL

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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MaFe says on Feb 19, 2008, 09:07:

I hope you are right Rubito...

"All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsions, habit, reason, passion, desire. "-Aristotle

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ColombianoGringo says on Feb 19, 2008, 09:14:

Rubito,

I find your comment about Colombians' compact energy footprint interesting. It seems like a fairly accurate observation, but do you happen to know of any stats about that? I'm just curious.

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diabloblas says on Feb 19, 2008, 10:31:

things change...what's good today isn't necessarily good tomorrow for travelling

...quit the bitching & show some adventure by finding other frontiers...

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gatogris says on Feb 19, 2008, 12:29:

I'm not sure Colombia could be considered "not that great a place for tourists to go." It is possessed of natural beauty that even outstrips Chile or Costa Rica, and diversity of topography and flora and fauna that is nothing short of astonishing. What is missing is tourist infrastructure. Seeing as Colombians are extremely enterprising, I don't see that as posing any real obstacle if the investment is there.

This could mean a huge uptick in tourism, which of course has its ups and downs. Most of the foreign posters here, I imagine, would prefer the country to stay less discovered, and yet also appreciate the increase in standard of living tourist euros and dollars would bring to some. 1.5 million tourists came to Colombia last year, and overall foreign investment has increased more than fourfold in four years. What if these numbers were ten times as high?

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Desideria (Moderator) says on Feb 19, 2008, 12:56:

Part of Colombia's charm as a tourist country is precisely the fact that it has not been Americanized to the same degree as Costa Rica, for example. It does not have to be geared towards English-speakers in general, just the people who work in the industry ought to be somewhat bilingual, preferably even mulitlingual. Ecotourism and adventure tourism should do well in Colombia; don't know about gringos but there's definitely a niche there for younger Europeans who will experience something different and have already been all over the planet. Mass tourism (as much as I dislike it) may provide jobs and infrastructure on the Caribbean, but on the Pacific the possibilities are very limited for a longest foreseeáble time, due to the isolation, poverty and lack of any kind of services in the Colombian Pacific....perfect for ecotourism and tourism that does not invade the living spaces of local people.

Like Brazil, yes, I could see that. Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic, no. Thailand....it's not just pedophiles and perverts that travel to Thailand . There's too many of them that do, but Brasil and some African countries like Gambia and Kenya are also sex tourism destinations Granted, it's a very visible portion of the total tourist industry of that country (Thailand) but I'm pretty sure not the largest. However, if Colombia ever turned into the whorehouse and pedophile paradise of the Americas I would not ever return to that country, would sell my home there and feel thorughly ashamed on the behalf of all the good people living there who have let it happen.

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

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