'Medellín's sex tourism is a cancer' — Tourism Vice Minister

@wwaycorrigan

Colombia's Vice Minister for Tourism has spoken out about the 'huge problem' of prostitution in Medellín.

In an interview with Wrong Way's Colombia Cast podcast, Julián Guerrero Orozco described sex tourism in Colombia's second city as a 'cancer that we need to fight more strongly'.

Julián Guerrero Orozco: Colombia's Vice Minister for Tourism.

Unwelcome visitors

In reference to those who visit the country to engage in such activities he said, 'they are not welcome in Colombia. There is nothing that we dislike more than that type of tourism.'

While highlighting the various measures introduced by the government to deal with the prostitution problem, Vice Minister Guerrero admitted that so far the 'effort is not enough because more people want to come for this reason.'

On the specific issue of illegal underage sex workers, the Vice Minister referred to a new law introduced in December 2020 that allows for the prosecution and closure of hotels and other such establishments caught facilitating the practice.

'What we included in the law, there will now be a consequence for that [for hotels that allow underage
prostitution].'

'We are trying our best to combat sex tourism.'

Mr Guerrero also spoke of strengthening the cooperation between various regional and state bodies 'to try to reduce [sex tourism] as much as possible ... We are trying our best to combat this crime.'

In relation to the many problems facing the tourism industry in these pandemic times, the Vice Minister referenced the more than 40 specific measures already introduced by the government to help the sector.

'Probably no other economic sector in Colombia has received more benefits than the tourism sector.'

Although he didn't rule out further supports, he did warn: 'There has to be a limit at some point because it cannot go on endlessly. Already very significant measures [have been introduced], I would dare say that probably no other economic sector in Colombia has received more benefits than the tourism sector.'

Asked about prioritising domestic tourism in light of the major slowdown in international travel, the tourism chief said that 'it would be an error, not only for Colombia but for different countries, just to focus on domestic travellers. One needs to recognise that international travellers are good travellers, they have good incomes, they spend quite a bit.'

On the requirement for a negative PCR test for covid-19 when flying into the country, Mr Guerrero suggested that Colombia has been more flexible than others, particularly thanks to the availability of a test on arrival.

Finally, Vice Minister Guerrero, who previously worked as Vice President for Tourism at the state body ProColombia, ruled out further roles in the public sector once his current position ends next year.

'I will stay working in tourism, in sustainable tourism, maybe through consultancy or my own business ... But I've worked in the public sector for 20 or 25 years, so I think that's about enough.'

Watch the YouTube interview in full at https://youtu.be/bAJYSF6iEVg or listen to an audio-only podcast version at https://anchor.fm/brendan-corrigan/episodes/Colombias-Tourism-Minister-on-covid-supports--foreign-visitors--Medellns-prostitution-cancer-eqtufl.
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Listen to Wrong Way's Colombia Cast podcast here.

Facebook: Wrong Way Corrigan — The Blog & IQuiz "The Bogotá Pub Quiz".

Broadening the horizons, both mentally and physically

@wwaycorrigan

[Listen to an audio version of this blog entry here.]

'Choose where you want to live and then find ways to make your life sustainable there.'

Does the answer lie to the north? Perhaps ...

In those pre-coronavirus days that now seem like a lifetime ago, for many open-minded people with internationally transferable skills or in jobs that required no fixed abode, and with nothing too emotional tying them to one particular place, that epigraph made a lot of sense. The world was, to all intents and purposes, their oyster.

Wealth is health

With the pandemic, while the (relatively) free movement of people hasn't completely ground to a halt, it is much more restricted than it was just nine months ago. 

In addition, there is the moral element at play in relation to the risks associated with unnecessary travel and mixing with strangers.

This can be even more of a burden considering the direction of travel in a live-anywhere-because-I-can context is heavily weighted towards emerging market countries and away from more developed nations. The latter — in theory, although this current pandemic hasn't exactly borne this out — is much better equipped to handle a health emergency.

'Many will have to reinvent themselves to survive in the new landscape.'

So, using that as a guide, it's quite understandable that a country such as Colombia appears to be making it more difficult for digital nomad types to pitch their virtual tents in its territory. 

Unless it can clearly be demonstrated you're of benefit to the state and its people, away with you. (For the record, I can't really call myself a digital nomad, if this is classed in terms of making money doing online work.)

Of course, the pandemic will pass and restrictions on movement — for tourism and some wishing to be economic migrants in any case — are likely to ease. What will take longer to get over is the fallout from it.

Work the location

For some, in terms of living standards anyway, little has changed. Indeed, in certain aspects, their lives may have even improved.

For others — and for the large part, those who were already struggling before this coronavirus — things are much more difficult. Many will have to practically reinvent themselves to survive in the new landscape.

I can't really blame the pandemic for my current imbroglio. OK, the virus ("Alan", you owe me money!) certainly hasn't helped my situation, but I took a decision to try to 'go it alone' before our enemy from the East arrived. The results thus far are nothing to write home about.

Coming back to our opening quote, if I continue to choose Colombia as the country in which I live — a decision that I have less control over today than previously — then it looks like I need to reappraise how I can "make it" here. 

Certain things that I've said no more to, specifically English teaching and marketing agency work, may have to come back into play.

Yet, if the strategy is all about finding gainful employment that I consider more meaningful and suited to my skills, then perhaps I need to reconsider the location.

There is no ideal — even Colombia purely as a location has its negatives — yet my current approach isn't exactly paying dividends.
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Listen to Wrong Way's Colombia Cast podcast here.

Facebook: Wrong Way Corrigan — The Blog & IQuiz "The Bogotá Pub Quiz".