Television channels from Guatemala and Ecuador are preparing specials on the Under-20 FIFA Soccer World Cup in Colombia

A group of journalists from Guatevision from Guatemala, and Ecuavisa from Ecuador, are touring the Under-20 Soccer World Cup host cities to show their viewers the tourist options the visitors from their home countries will have while accompanying their national teams during the sporting event.

Since the past 10th of June, and until the 20th of the same month, the television channels with the highest ratings in their countries will produce the coverage shows prior to the championship.

Bogota, the Coffee Triangle, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Medellin are the cities they will have visited, where they have observed the quality standards of the sporting venues as well as the tourism offering the visitors to these eight cities will be able to enjoy.

Gonzalo Calvache, a popular Ecuadorian TV presenter and journalist, explained what he thinks is one of Colombian tourism's strengths and talks about the destination that most impacted his visit.

“What most caught my attention in this country, without a doubt, was its people’s hospitality and especially the love their tour guides feel for each place we’ve visited. As foreigners, I think this has captivated us all and spread the emotion felt by Colombians, making us far more curious and wanting to know more about this marvelous country”, said Gonzalo Calvache, Ecuavisa presenter and journalist.

On the other hand, Marisol Padilla, a journalist from Guatevisión, one of the most popular TV channels in Guatemala, said “the first thing I’m going to say upon my return to my country is ‘you have to come, because ever since I stepped into the airport I began to feel the kindness of all of its people. My first impression of Colombia is that their slogan is absolutely true: the only risk is wanting to stay."

These journalists are visiting the country as part of the Under-20 Soccer World Cup promotional strategy efforts led by PROCOLOMBIA, with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism Promotion Fund.

Calvache was very impressed by the beautiful landscapes in the Coffee Growing Region of the country. “For anyone who has the possibility to come visit, this World Cup can’t be missed, as well as the opportunity to get out and see the beautiful landscapes and the life stories hidden behind it all, especially, my personal preference, in the Coffee Triangle region”, he said.

Journalists in Bogota went to the old colonial neighborhood of La Candelaria, the hills of Monserrate, the restaurants in the T Zone and went to the nearby town of Zipaquira to get a first hand look at the Salt Cathedral, the first natural wonder of Colombia.

The Coffee Triangle, another highlight of this trip, has astonished the group with its marvelous farms called haciendas, its small and enchanting towns and the hospitality of its people. Places like Salento, El Valle del Cocora, El Parque del Cafe, El Museo Quimbaya and El Recinto del Pensamiento will be some of the places Guatemalans and Ecuadorians alike can recognize during the special broadcasts of the Under-20 Soccer World Cup, prepared by the production teams.

Barranquilla, the city known as Colombia's Golden Gate, is also part of the television channels’ itinerary with Sala del Carnaval, el Museo del Caribe, el Teatro Amira de la Rosa, the iconic restaurant La Cueva and the city’s entertainment district, followed by the enchanting Cartagena and Medellin.

The FIFA Under-20 Soccer World Cup will be held in eight cities in Colombia, between July 29th and August 20th, with the participation of national teams from 24 countries.