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For two days government officials, port authorities and tour operators from Colombia, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama gathered in a specialized forum to address particular issues pertaining to the cruise industry. The goal of the event was to exchange information and cultivate valuable business relationships, with focus on this rapidly emerging market within Central America.
During the opening ceremony, former President of the Republic of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe Velez spoke, taking the opportunity to share his gratitude to President Lobo and the FCCA who through their efforts have helped place Colombia on the map of tourism with the assistance of the cruise industry.
The impressive growth of cruises in Central America has translated to enormous gains for the region, especially Colombia. As former President Uribe stated, " tourism brings high quality employment, stimulates investment, and promotes joy which " ultimately creates social capital (or improves the well being of the people).&rdquo Colombia&rsquo s growth in the cruise sector and the broader tourism industry in the past decade has been significant, from 600,000 visitors in 2002 through 1.8 million in 2010, according to the Colombian Ministry of Commerce and Tourism. Colombia&rsquo s prime geographical location ensures the destination can be easily included into cruise line Central American itineraries. To maximize the benefits of cruise tourism in the region, it is necessary to work together with the governments and destinations of Central American countries whose routes connect with major Colombian ports.
PROCOLOMBIA continues to express its interest in hosting the FCCA Annual Conference in 2013 in Colombia.
