The municipality of Gigante in Huila has renewed its Tourism Council to coordinate efforts among operators, guilds, and local administration. The brand 'Gigante, el Gran Destino' has been registered, and a Tourism Development Plan is underway. Monuments are being built in corregimientos to promote agricultural and cultural traditions.
Gigante, a municipality in southern Colombia known for nature tourism, has reactivated its tourism agenda with a renewed and operational Tourism Council. This body coordinates operators, guilds, and the local administration to organize the offer, raise quality, and guide investments. According to the National Tourism Registry, the municipality has 72 formal providers, including 50 accommodations and rural lodgings, 10 travel agencies, and 4 tour guides. Installed capacity includes 223 rooms and 356 beds, while the Chamber of Commerce registers 974 active businesses in urban and rural areas.
Mayor Josué Manrique Murcia has driven key strategies. The regional brand “Gigante, el Gran Destino” was filed with the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce to position the territory in national markets. Gigante is part of the Ruta Mágica del Café and the national program “Pueblos que Enamoran” by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, executed by Fontur. Its vocation focuses on the coffee-cacao-nature triangle, with niches like agrotourism on coffee and cocoa farms, ecotourism with páramo hikes and viewpoints, birdwatching, bike tourism, river tourism, and a gastronomic and artisanal agenda.
Parallel to this, the 2024-2027 Development Plan includes building monuments in each corregimiento to expand the tourism offer and decentralize attractions. Three are already built: the Monument to Luis Alberto Osorio Scarpetta “La Guitarra” in the main park, honoring the composer of the Huila and Gigante anthems; the Monument to Coffee Growers in Silvania, depicting coffee processes; and the Monument to Cocoa Growers in Rioloro, highlighting the cacao tradition in the 'cocoa capital of Huila'. Four more are planned: Monument to Panela Producers in Gran Vía, with panela production symbols; Monument to San Pedrinas Festivals in Potrerillos, representing local celebrations; and monuments to Matambo and Mirthayú on highway roundabouts, based on Giganteña mythology.
An initiative was presented to Fontur to define the tourism product, and the Tourism Development Plan will be structured with goals in formalization, signage, experience design, training, and digital tools. Next steps include updating the inventory of attractions, activating portfolios by typologies, and adopting quality and sustainability practices. As Mayor Manrique states: “Gigante es un sitio obligado para los amantes del paisajismo, la agricultura y la naturaleza, es un territorio de gente camelladora, resiliente y sobre todo, amable”. These actions aim to attract more visitors, increase local income, and protect heritage under a responsible model.