Author(s)

RACHEL GERMANIER, SOFIA VARGAS SOURDIS

Abstract

In 2016, a peace treaty was signed in Colombia which was intended to signal the end of more than 100 years of conflict in the country. As a result, it was possible to enter lands which had been inaccessible and untouched by human development during the war and the potential to exploit these for ecotourism became apparent. The aim of this study was to see how, through sensitively interviewing 12 actors in the field of Colombian ecotourism, Colombia could use this form of tourism to its advantage in a meaningful way, preserving the phenomenal diversity of the country’s nature and cultures, and moving towards a peaceful resolution of the war. The interviewees’ pride for Colombia’s natural and cultural treasures was evident as they expressed a clear desire to see ecotourism boom while respecting these assets. The picture the participants painted is a nuanced one with the unrivalled ecotourism potential of the country balanced against many challenges including a population uneducated in hospitality and a perceived lack of infrastructure and strategy. Several recommendations are made including marketing, preferably digitally, to specific niches, educating locals, improving national security and infrastructure and creating a solid strategy for ecotourism so that the Colombian population may finally benefit from its virgin lands.

Keywords

ecotourism, peacebuilding, reconciliation, Colombia, tourism development, post-conflict, environmental conservation, social cohesion, community empowerment