Proexport announced during the convention of foreign investors in Cartagena, that Colombia will have 16,000 new rooms by 2012, which would represent an increase of 9% thanks to foreign investment, which has been favored by the tax exemptions in force for the hotel sector.New hotel chains are expected to enter the country, with projects in major cities, such as Ibis Accor, which announced the construction of 15 hotels; Intercontinental Hotels Group with projects in Cartagena; the Spanish Melia with two investments in Barranquilla and Medellín, and Wyndham that will build in Bogotá.
About two and a half million visitors arrive in Colombia annually, of which 346 thousand are tourists aboard cruise ships; In addition, since 2000 foreign flights to this country have increased by 120%, causing foreign exchange income to grow 48%, going from US$1,192, to the current level of US$2,263.
