Santa Marta expects 25,000 visitors for the opening of the Bolivarian Games

The hotel guild expects the arrival of more than 25,000 visitors for the opening of the XVIII Bolivarian Games, which will begin this Saturday in the Colombian city of Santa Marta.

Santa Marta (Colombia), Nov 10 (EFE) .- The hotel industry expects the arrival of more than 25,000 visitors for the opening of the XVIII Bolivarian Games, which will begin this Saturday at the Colombian city of Santa Marta.

The president of the Santa Marta section of the Hotel and Tourism Association of Colombia -Cotelco-, Omar García, told Efe today that for this festive bridge, when the sports jousting begins, "the city will be above 80% occupancy, that is, about 25,000 people."

The union leader stressed that "only the Bolivarian Games, among delegations, judges, directors of Coldeportes, directors of the Colombian Olympic Committee and Odebo "will contribute" more than five thousand people, who will join the visitors ".

" As the week progresses we will have many more, because the excursions of schools that have chosen Santa Marta in the framework of the Games will be added. Bolivarianos ", added Omar García, that in those figures does not include illegal establishments dedicated to tourism.

He said that a study is being carried out on how much the Games to the economy of the city, given the significant flow of visitors.

"Remember that it is not only the hotels, but the transport, the gastronomy establishments, the centers commercial, taxis and other actors of the tourism value chain, because tourist money goes to many pockets, "he said.

Omar García was also optimistic about what will come after the Bolivarian Games because, he said, "they will help the promotion of the destination in the different countries that will participate."

"Opening doors is much easier when They have spoken of Santa Marta in those countries, "he added.

The XVIII Bolivarian Games of Santa Marta will take place from November 11 to 25 and are the first tests that are part of the Olympic cycle that will end at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.