Bogota
The city ’ s nightlife buzzes with energy , while the shopping scene offers an array of unique finds from jewelry and leather to textiles .
My own jewel in the tourism crown was a visit to The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá , around 42km north of Bogota , The temple at the bottom of the mine has three sections , representing the birth , life , and death of Jesus . The icons , ornaments and architectural details are hand carved in the halite rock . Spectacular , although I was grateful for the mine ’ s train that brought me back to the surface ! Another village outside Bogota worth a visit is Guatavita , where , according to
Holiday Inn Hotel Bogota
One of the city ’ s value hotels is the Holiday Inn which offers a prime location near to the financial and business district and close to the gourmet epicentre or ‘ G-Zone ’.
The hotel offers 98 rooms at very reasonable rates and is certified with LEED Platinum level .
Paul Colston meets Greater
legend , the Muisca Raft crossed the waters where El Dorado began .
The city also boasts well over 5,000 attractions including metropolitan parks , the Botanical Garden , and diverse wetlands , highlighting Bogota ’ s unique ecosystems and outdoor appeal .
The historic heart of Bogota , La Candelaria , presents 482 years of colonial history , while museums like the Gold and National Museums explore the indigenous culture and heritage . The city ’ s vibrant street art and marketplaces are worth visiting where you can try traditional dishes like Ajiaco and coffee . For a spectacular overview go to Monserrate , and take in the panoramic city views and visit the shrine dating from 1640 .
Meet and make a difference Your event can deliver legacy in Bogota , in places such as Ciudad Bolivar , a community that supports social reconstruction . The CVB can be a useful liaison point for this and can recommend art workshops and team recycling projects designed to foster environmental awareness , teamwork and creativity .
“ We are working closely with international organisers to develop specific programmes aimed at supporting vulnerable people and addressing sustainability and community empowerment through educational opportunities related to
BID Lab Forum ( 2023 )
One programme the Greater Bogota CVB worked on with organisers in recent times , was the BID Lab Forum ( 2023 ) in June , a leading event on innovation and inclusion in Latin America , which it won from fierce competition from Mexico City and Sao Paulo .
A site inspection by the organisers resulted in the bid being won by local operator Sphera and the Hilton Bogota Corferias hotel . The CVB then stepped in to provide ongoing support to the event .
Bogota ’ s position as an outstanding hub for innovation and high-impact entrepreneurship in the region were key factors in winning the bid for an event that was attended by 700 participants from 37 countries .
event themes , youth employment programmes ,” says Piza .
Strategic Plans 2024 The CVB is also using data analytics , AI , and digital platforms to facilitate the generation of new business opportunities through commercial intelligence .
Bogota has smart infrastructure and is proud of its advances in transport and mobility , telecommunications , and renewable energies . This focus underscores the city ’ s capacity to support large-scale events with its sustainable infrastructure .
Asked about the main challenges the bureau is faced with , and Piza flags up “ an ongong perception of insecurity around the destination , as well as the idea that Bogota can be very hectic at times with its traffic ”.
The city is also located in the interior of the country with no coast or beaches and that can sometimes be a minus .
But , on a positive , the bureau tells me it detects an upswing in the revival of the meetings sector , which has achieved 85 % of the pre-pandemic levels with a full 100 % recovery predicted by the end of 2024 . n
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