The document provides information about investment opportunities in tourism in Colombia's Choco department. It summarizes that Choco has great potential for hotel development across various tourist areas like Bahia Solano, Nuqui, and Capurgana. There are existing hotels available for investment, as well as properties with development licenses. The region offers natural attractions like beaches and nature reserves, along with incentives for tourism infrastructure projects.

1. I T ’ S T I M E T O I N V E S T I N C O L O M B I A . C O M . C O
ChocoA N O P P O R T U N I T Y T O
I N V E S T I N T O U R I S M
2019

3. In 2018, FDI reached US $11.01 billion, with 78% concentrated in the
non-mining and non-energy sector.
Colombia’s economy is estimated to grow 3.5% in 2019.
Colombia is part of the OECD, which provides more confidence for
investors.
Colombia has over 100 free trade zones, more than any other country in
Latin America.
There is a growing middle class with high purchasing power.
Through free trade agreements, Colombia has access to 60 countries with more
than 1.5 billion consumers.
There are more incentives to promote foreign direct investment in Colombia.
A FAVORABLE INVESTMENT
CLIMATE IN COLOMBIA

4. Tourism is the second largest generator of foreign income in Colombia, equal to
12.73% of total exports (2018).
In 2018, 4.2 million non-resident foreigners visited Colombia.
The number of foreign travelers visiting Colombia increased by 8% in
2018 (3% increase in the Americas).
In 2018, tourism’s share of Colombia’s GDP grew by 3.1%.
Tourism generated more than 1.9 million jobs in Colombia in 2018.
25 airlines connect Colombia with 25 different countries, with more than 1,000
weekly international flights.
From 2010 to 2018, 228 hotels opened, offering 23,403 new rooms.
Between 2019 and 2020, more than 11,000 new rooms will be built.
There are more incentives to develop the hospitality sector, which will benefit travelers.
TOURISM IS A DRIVER FOR
DEVELOPMENT IN COLOMBIA

5. Special 9% income tax rate for 20 years in municipalities with up to
200,000 inhabitants for new, remodeled, or expanded hotels, theme
parks, ecotourism, agritourism parks, and new waterfront docks*.
Non-resident foreigners in Colombia are VAT exempted and are
reimbursed in hospitality and tourism services.
Nuqui is one of the tourist destinations where VAT is not applied to air
travel.
INCENTIVES EVOLVE TO PROMOTE NEW
HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS AND TOURISM PROJECTS
*Note: Income tax for 2019 is 33%
VAT in Colombia is 19%

6. Those who make new
investments in Colombia, with
a value equal to or greater
than 30.000.000 UVT
(aprox. USD 342
millones), and that
generate at least 250 direct
jobs, can enjoy the following
benefits:
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MEGA INVESTMENTS
LABOR
INCENTIVES
Income tax at 27% (except for the hotel income tax
that will remain at 9%)
Fixed assets will be able to depreciate for a minimum
period of 2 years, independent of the asset’s service
life.
They will not be subject to presumptive income tax.
They will not be subject to wealth tax.
A legal and fiscal stability regime will be created to
allow investors to maintain benefits in case of
unfavorable modifications to the regime, in exchange
for a payment of 0.75% of the value of the
investment, made each year for a 5-year period.
Investments in hydrocarbons and mining are excluded
from this regime.
Incentives to hire people with disabilities to obtain
income tax deductions.
Parafiscal contributions and other payroll contributions
can be discounted from companies’ income tax.
First 40,000 jobs: subsidy to companies that hire young
people aged 18 to 28.
Exemption from payments to Caja de Compensación
Familiar (family welfare fund)

7. I T ’ S T I M E T O I N V E S T I N C O L O M B I A . C O M . C O
2030VisionF O R C H O C O
Our 2030 vision for Choco focuses on sustainable,
responsible, high-quality tourism as the way to bolster high
value-added tourism, making the most of the Pacific region’s
natural and cultural diversity in order to build a path
towards the region’s productive and social development.

8. CHOCO IS THE ONLY STATE IN
COLOMBIA WITH TWO OCEANS
Capital: Quibdo
Area: 46,530 km²
Population (2018 estimate):
515,145 inhabitants
Average temperature: 26°C - 28°C
Coastline: Approximately 700 km
of Pacific coastline and almost 80
km along the Caribbean
—the Pacific and the
Caribbean – and different
rivers. It is also home of
three National Natural
Parks: Utría, Los Katíos,
and Tatamá.
Choco’s richness is
breathtaking for those who
enjoy natural, beautiful
and unique surroundings.
It is divided into the following areas:
Darién
Northern Pacific
Atrato
San Juan
Southern Pacific

9. Cho
GENERAL
INFORMATION
Located in the northwestern region of Colombia, Choco is located
next to the Republic of Panama and the Caribbean Sea to the north;
also, next to the departments of Antioquia, Risaralda and Valle de
Cauca to the east; and finally next to the department of Valle de
Cauca to the south; and by the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Choco is part of two
touristic corridors:
Pacific and
Antioquia-Choco.
*A tourist corridor is a
homogeneous area where the
proximity of tourist attractions and
services complement each other.
The government has adopted these
corridors as a management and
regional tourism promotion strategy.
Capurganá
Sapzurro
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utría
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo

10. • In Choco, there is great ethnic richness, resulting from
a combination of Afro, indigenous, and mestizo cultures.
• Quibdo, the capital of Choco, is the artistic and
cultural epicenter and offers an exquisite sample of the
department’s multiculturalism.
• Itsmina and its surrounding populations, have deep
roots in the Afro-descendant cultural heritage, coexisting
with the region’s mestizo and indigenous populations.
• The department manages to join holistic rituals and
therapies with ethnic communities, such as the Jurubirá
and Afro-descendant communities.
• Ethno-tourism in Choco merges historical elements of
the populations who arrived from Africa with the mining
history to create a multi-thematic trip.
CHOCO,
A CULTURAL AND NATURAL TREASURE
THAT IS OPENING TO THE WORLD

11. oco
GDP BY ECONOMIC
ACTIVITY
33.3%
18.7%
17.8%
14.2%
5.1%
10.9%
Public administration
and defense...........................
Agriculture, livestock, hunting,
forestry, and fishing.................
Mine and quarry exploitation....
Wholesale and retail...............
Construction...........................
Other....................................

12. LAND
CONNECTIVITY
CONNECTIVITY
AIR AND LAND
TRAVELERS VISIT VARIOUS DESTINATIONS IN THIS REGION, using various
entry points along the pacific corridor. for this reason, the potential to increase the number
of travelers visiting Choco should be analyzed, considering the region’s air connectivity,
including: Medellin, Popayan, Quibdo and Cali.
Main bus terminal located in Quibdo.
Main connecting destinations:
Bogota, Medellin, Popayan-Cali, Bahia Solano, Condoto, Nuqui, and Riosucio.
Main transport companies:
Rapido Ochoa, Flota Occidental, Coomotoristas del Cauca, Expreso Palmira, Velotax, Bolivariano,
and Arauca
AIR
CONNECTIVITY
Choco has two cities with domestic airlines connections: Bahía Solano and Quibdo.
There are 103 weekly flights to 3 destinations in Colombia: Bogota, Medellin, and Apartado.
71.8% of weekly frequencies connect to Medellin.

13. CALI
Cities: 13
Countries: 7
International flights: 140
Domestic flights: 338
Airlines: 4 (domestic flights) and
8 (international flights)
QUIBDO
Cities: 3
Domestic flights: 99
Airlines:2
MEDELLIN
Cities: 18
Countries: 7
Domestic flights: 789
International flights: 140
Airlines: 5 (domestic flights) and
13 (international flights)
POPAYAN
Cities: 1
Domestic flights: 21
Airlines: 2
CONNECTIVITY
IN THE PACIFIC AND
ANTIOQUIA-PACÍFIC CORRIDOR
More than 20 cities in Colombia
2 intraregional connections:
Bahia Solano/Medellin and Quibdo/Apartado
7 countries:
Panama, United States, Peru, Mexico, Venezuela, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Spain.
Bahia Solano
Medellin
Apartado
Quibdo
Cali
Popayan

14. More than 65 travel
agencies and operators
offer their services in the
region.
Nature and adventure
Ecotourism
Whale watching
Culture, cuisine, festivals, and events
Sun and beach
Community-based tourism
MAINTOURISM PRODUCTS
IN THE REGION

15. Few places simultaneously bring together
such mystery and beauty as the Ensenada
de Utría, located on the northern coast of
the Colombian Pacific, in the department
of Chocó. To the south, visitors can see
mountainous foothills covered in
exuberant tropical jungle that protrude
into a mist-cloaked sea. Its calm, warm
waters are a favorable place for
migratory species, such as sea turtles and
birds. Humpback whales also visit these
waters between the July and November.
Ensenada de Utría National
Natural Park:
El Almejal Beach:
Located in the village of El Valle, El Almejal beach is
one of the most-visited places in the region. The beach
stretches for almost 2 km and has a good swell for
surfing. The turtle conservation programs at El Almejal
ecolodge are noteworthy—turtles can be seen between
July and November.
TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS

16. Sapzurro:
10 minutes by boat from Capurgana, this
fishing village sits on a quiet bay where
sailboats, kayaks, and canoes are part of
the scenery. Its white sand beaches, such
as Cabo Tiburon, contrast with the vibrant
green from the jungle. Nearby are La
Diana waterfall and La Miel beach,
which you can reach by crossing the
Panamanian border on foot.
Tutunendo is a village and touristic sport
near Quibdo whose name is derived from
an Emberá word meaning 'river of aromas'.
The site is characterized by its pure rivers fed
by waterfalls. One of them is called Sal de
Frutas (Fruit Salt, in English), apparently due
to the effervescent effect produced by water
hitting the rocks.
Tutunendo:
Located on Colombia’s Caribbean Sea, it
offers white sand beaches located between a
small bay and a dense tropical rainforest. In this
pace, people come to search for quiet
beaches, scuba diving , snorkeling, and walks
through the jungle. Aguacuate Beach
(avocado, in English) is a special place with
green water.
Capurganá:

17. CHOCO OFFERS
GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HOTEL
DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES
HOTEL ROOMS BEDS
Choco’s main hotel areas are in Quibdo, Nuqui, Bahía Solano, and Utría National Natural Park.
Choco has approximately 122 operating hotels, with 2,135 rooms and 3,191 beds.
10.4% of the hotels are medium-sized (between 30 and 100 rooms) and 89.6% are small (less than 30 rooms).
In addition to the department’s current hotel offer, there are 2 new projects. MIA Hotel Chocó was inaugurated
in the first quarter of 2019, and Park Inn Radisson Choco which is under construction.
86 95HOTEL LOS ROBLES
IRIACA SAS
HOTEL LAS AMERICAS DEL SAN JUAN M.S.
HOTEL TOLÓN
ECOLODGE NAUTILOS
HOTEL BAHIA PINOROA LODGE
HOTEL QUIBDO PLAZA
HOTEL ECOLOGICO LAS MAÑANITAS S.A.S.
HOTEL Y CENTRO COMERCIAL DIVINO ECCEHOMO
HOTEL ELEGANTH PEOPLE
TACARCUNA LODGE
HOTEL VILLA REAL LA 26
RESTAURANTE Y HOTEL EL BUEN GUSTO DE PIZARRO
HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO DE QUIBDÓ
HOTEL EL IMPERIO QUIBDÓ
HOTEL QUIBDO MONARCA
HOTEL INTERPACIFIC
50 74
49 70
48 56
48 96
38 50
37 54
37 100
36 50
36 42
35 100
35 38
34 34
32 71
30
30
30 33
24
32
SUN AND BEACH:
Beach resort developments, combined with all-inclusive facilities, in different segments and niches:
• All-inclusive resorts for families or adults only
• Combination of ecosystems: nature + beach
• Oceanfront hotels: Bungalows, stilt houses
ECOTOURISM:
• Opportunities to invest in areas that make the most of the region’s natural biodiversity:
• Glamping
• Hotels with ecolodges
• Authentic hotels

18. hocoEl Almejal Hotel has beautiful surroundings that provide
a relaxing atmosphere and encourage interaction with
nature and adventure. They make the most of the area’s
landscape and biodiversity to create enriching and
unforgettable experiences that include adventure, rest,
and learning, in a sustainable and conservationist way.
SUCCESS STORY
10 independent cabins, as well as 2
special rooms overlooking the Natural
Reserve and the ocean.
Leaders in ecotourism in Colombia; they
hold first place in Best Green Tourism,
awarded by the Ministry of Trade, Industry,
and Tourism of Colombia.
Implemented sustainability systems and two
conservation projects: Turtles and Natural
Reserve.
They are the only lodge in the Pacific with a
natural reserve within their property.
Located on El Almejal Beach, 30 minutes
from the Utría National Park.
H o t e l E l A l m e j a l
Bahía Solano, El Almejal Beach
The only accommodation in the Pacific with a
water purification plant.
Offer various activities, including whale, turtle, and bird
watching, educational excursions, and trekking.

19. I T ’ S T I M E T O I N V E S T I N C O L O M B I A . C O M . C O
ChocoM A I N A R E A S W I T H
I N V E S T M E N T O P P O R T U N I T I E S
Choco is a natural treasure that is opening up
to the world. It is an ecological paradise
anchored in time and space where its
inhabitants coexist harmoniously.
It is a region full of culture and biodiversity,
linking two oceans with the jungle and rivers.

20. VARIETY OF TOURIST AREAS
TO DEVELOP HOTEL
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utría
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo
Capurgana
Sapzurro

21. HOTEL CENTRO NÁUTICO
Location: Capurgana
Beachfront property
Value: to be defined according to
negotiations and contract type with FONTUR
Contact: FONTUR
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utria
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo
Capurgana
Sapzurro
HOTELS WITH
DEVELOPMENT LICENSE

22. HOTEL ALCÁZAR
Location: Capurgana
Beachfront property
Value: to be defined according to
negotiations and contract type with FONTUR
Contact: FONTUR
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utria
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo
Capurgana
Sapzurro
HOTELS WITH
DEVELOPMENT LICENSE

23. HOTEL PLAYA DE ORO
Location: Bahía Solano
Beachfront property
Value: to be defined according to
negotiations
Contact: Isabel Palacio
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utria
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo
Capurgana
Sapzurro
HOTELS AVAILABLE
FOR INVESTMENT

24. CAPURGANA
Location: Capurgana
Beachfront property
Value: to be defined according to
negotiations
Contact: Isabel Palacio
Bahia Solano
Ensenada de Utría
Nuqui
Quibdo
El Almejal Beach
Tutunendo
Capurgana
Sapzurro
LAND WITH
DEVELOPMENT LICENSE

25. I T ’ S T I M E T O I N V E S T I N C O L O M B I A . C O M . C O
CHOCOR E G I O N A L P L A N S F O R G R O W T H
A N D D E V E L O P M E N T
Choco will be a destination recognized for its cuisine,
nature tourism, and health and wellness options.
Chocó is a pioneer in community-based tourism in
Colombia, with empowered communities that offer
distinctive products representing the department’s
cultural and natural diversity.

26. Better tourism infrastructure
Better connectivity, by improving roads, rivers,
ports, and air transport. We will succeed in making
the Pacific a connected region that promotes the
productive and sustainable development of the
coast and Andean region.
More formal and trained tourism service providers
to increase the region’s productive activities and
promote the conservation of ecosystems.
Better promotion of tourism services.
A 116% increase in the number of non-resident
visitors, reaching 7,752 foreign tourists per year.
Improve management and innovation processes for
sustainable and business tourism development.
Improve training and he involvement of talented
people required for the tourism sector.
2030 GOALS
FOR CHOCO

27. HIGH-IMPACT PROJECTS
FOR THE REGION’S DEVELOPMENT
In 2017, El Caraño de Quibdó
airport was remodeled to
accommodate airplanes with
+140 passengers capacity.
This was possible due to the
expansion of the airstrip and
platform—a concession granted
by the national government
through the National Agency of
Infrastructure.
The national government has
invested in projects to update
the municipalities’ tourism
inventory and boost
community-based tourism with
visits to tourist-friendly
ethno-villages.
Colombia’s National Natural
Parks have committed to
develop the whale watching
product through community
initiatives in the municipalities
of Nuquí and Bahía Solano
(buffer zone for the Utría
National Natural Park).
There is a national project to
attract expeditionary cruise lines
to Colombia’s Pacific coast.

28. HOW TO SUCCEED IN
SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT ?
HOW TO REDUCE
THE ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT?
Implementing a sustainable management system
Complying with regulations
Training employees to use sustainable practices
Ensuring customer satisfaction
Being assertive with advertising material, grassroots
design and development
Understanding the context
Creating communication strategies, ensuring health
and safety standards
Preserving local resources
Reducing pollution
Implementing a waste management plan
Avoiding the use of contaminating products
(pesticides, paint, chemicals)
Supporting protected and high biodiversity areas
Source: El Equipo Mazzanti

29. HOW TO HAVE A
POSITIVE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC
IMPACT?
HOW TO PROTECT
CULTURAL HERITAGE?
Supporting local community development, creating
jobs for locals
Establishing fair trade criteria, supporting local
entrepreneurs
Respecting local culture, avoiding exploitation of
resources, hiring fairly and equally
Protecting employees, offering basic services
Creating behavioral guidelines to foster respect for
local practices
Avoiding the modification of historical elements by
preventing their sale, exchange, or exhibition
Protecting historical, archeological, cultural, or
spiritual tourist sites
ncorporating local culture and respecting intellectual
property in this process
Source: El Equipo Mazzanti

30. Choc
WE WOULD LIKECHOCO TO BE
A destination recognized for
offering innovative experiences in
Colombia’s Pacific region,
through its cuisine, nature tourism,
and health and wellness options.
Choco is a pioneer in tourism
development in Colombia, with
empowered communities that
offer distinctive products
representing the department’s
cultural and natural diversity.

32. I T ’ S T I M E T O I N V E S T I N C O L O M B I A . C O M . C O
Choco
Leaving a positive legacy of social
development, economic growth, and
preservation of cultural and natural
heritage is possible with strategic and
committed partners.
The sustainable transformation of
Choco is A CALL TO EVERYONE.
This material was prepared for informational purposes only.
Circulation, use, copies, or distribution is not allowed.
V I S I T