Colombia. Colombia continues to advance in its positioning as a competitive destination in the global meetings industry. This sector includes corporate events, congresses, conventions, incentive trips and destination weddings: experiences organized by companies to motivate or recognize their employees, allies or key customers.
In this context, 16 Colombian entrepreneurs were recently certified as Certified Incentive Specialists (CIS) by the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), one of the most recognized entities worldwide in this type of tourism, with more than four decades of experience. The certification was granted after an intensive course held in Bogotá, organized in partnership with ProColombia.
Incentive travel, in addition to being a strategic tool for organizations, represents a great opportunity for the development of tourism in destinations that can offer unique, personalized and high-quality experiences. The CIS certification recognizes professionals with specialized knowledge in the design and execution of these programs, from logistics and creativity to their alignment with business objectives.
"Colombia wants to consolidate itself on the global map of the meetings and incentives industry. From ProColombia we support the business fabric and the territories of the country in their professionalization process, so that the Country of Beauty not only falls in love with its diversity, but also stands out for its preparation, certified talent and a vision aligned with international trends," said Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia.
The certified entrepreneurs were selected through an open call led by ProColombia, in which aspects such as the quality of their offer for incentives, their commitment to training and their contribution to tourism as an engine of territorial development and peace were evaluated. Representatives from different regions of the country participated, both from consolidated and emerging destinations.
An impact that extends to the entire country
The presence of certified professionals raises the standard of quality in the planning and execution of incentive programs. This generates greater trust among national and international companies that are looking for destinations capable of offering memorable experiences, well organized and aligned with their goals.
Cities such as Bogotá, Medellín and Cartagena, with consolidated infrastructure, reinforce their global positioning with qualified talent. But the impact also reaches emerging regions such as the Coffee Cultural Landscape, Santander, the Pacific and the Eastern Plains, where certified operators can transform local authenticity into high-end experiences for corporate groups.
In addition to improving competitiveness, this professionalization promotes the development of local SMEs, generates employment and strengthens the business ecosystem. It also creates a professional community that shares knowledge, updates and adapts international trends to the Colombian context, thus promoting a more innovative and prepared Colombia to compete.
