Huila's Secretariat of Economic Development and Tourism led the Tourism Sectoral Table to coordinate promotion strategies ahead of the San Juan and San Pedro festivities. Leaders from various entities set commitments to attract visitors and boost the regional economy. Efforts aim to decentralize activities beyond Neiva to benefit the entire department.
Huila's Secretariat of Economic Development and Tourism chaired the Tourism Sectoral Table, the department's main coordination forum for the sector. Attendees included representatives from tourist zones, SENA, the Chamber of Commerce, Cotelco, Inturhuila, the Vice Ministry of Tourism, and the Tourism Police, among others. Proposals were presented to bolster tourism promotion before the San Juan and San Pedro festivities.
Natalia Alejandra Ortiz Valderrama, the acting Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism, stated: “We evaluated strategies for the Sampedrina season, held an important working table where some strategies were defined and clear commitments were set to continue working for Huila department”.
Five internal working tables were agreed upon to strengthen the “Huila un paraíso por descubrir” destination, each with specific focuses and involving relevant institutions. A key need identified was to decentralize San Pedro activities to municipalities beyond Neiva, aiming to activate tourism across the region.
José Zaid Ávila López, territorial manager of the Vice Ministry of Tourism for Huila and Tolima, noted: “Progress was made in articulating efforts, particularly in programming to invite tourists to explore the full tourist offer and for travel agencies to include this programming in their plans”.
These initiatives aim to draw tourists, stimulate the economy, and ensure the season's success through public-private collaboration.