Culture, tastes and landscapes
Bolivia is a destination for adventure seekers and anybody curious about unusual sights like Lake Titicaca, the world’s largest high-altitude lake, with 3,232 square miles of water. Seldom visited Inca ruins are scattered around the lakeside town of Copacabana. On the southern shore of Lake Titicaca lies Tiwanaku, a large ceremonial area constructed over 1000 years ago. Located in the southwest, the world’s largest salt flats, the Salar de Uyuni, encompass 4,086 square miles and account for 50 to 70 percent of the world’s lithium reserves. The stunning view of the white landscape keeps changing with the light of day. Close by is Laguna Colorada, a fiery red lake with flocks of pink flamingos. The picturesque town of Rurrenabaque is the gateway to the rainforest of Madidi National Park whilst Santa Cruz, in the tropical region of the country, boasts Bolivia’s best nightlife and international cuisine, with a small-town feeling, despite being Bolivia’s largest city. Bolivia also enjoys colorful cultural traditions, especially in La Paz (“the city that touches the clouds”), such as the parades of the Oruro carnival, the Fiesta del Gran Poder and the Feria de Alasita. The Bolivian government has overhauled its touristic development strategy to attract 7,1 million visitors per year by 2020. It will invest USD 400 million and is offering incentives to attract another 400 million in private investments. In 2015 the tourism sector was included in the “National productive industry”, which means that banks offer credit rates of maximum 6.5 percent per annum, a great improvement compared to the former 17 to 24 percent.
“The idea is to diversify the touristic offer, to move away from classic package tours and bring visitors to other areas”, said Marko Machicao Bankovic, Minister of Cultures and Tourism. The government is targeting several areas simultaneously: infrastructure (roads, equipment, restaurants), a ski resort in the Altiplano, jet-skiing in the Amazonian basin, and visits to the indigenous nations with their own particular way of life and local development. Promoting Bolivia as an international destination is taking many forms – from being part of the Dakar rally to receiving Pope Francis, the idea is for Bolivia to appear more often in international news, which is already happening through the media attention dedicated to President Evo Morales and his management of the country’s economy. Between 2010 and 2015 incoming tourism has been growing at a rate of around 13.5 percent per year, above the Latin American and worldwide average. Airlinks have improved, there are now daily flights to the United States with American Airlines and with BOA. The United States are Bolivia’s third commercial partner and therefore represent an investment potential for Bolivia. American corporations Marriott and Starwood and the French Accor are currently building hotels in the country. Bolivia offers stability and an interesting destination for investors looking for strategic partnerships in tourism. It is still relatively unknown and investors won’t find too much competition.
“I invite the LA Times readers to come and visit Bolivia,” said Mr. Machicao Bankovic, “It’s an incredibly diverse, multicultural country; What you will encounter here is not your usual tourism, it’s really a life experience”