Colombia calling

Colombia's San Agustin is a popular destinations among tourists. The country boasts rich nature and culture that include coastline, islands, rainforest and heritage sites. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Jaramillo says: "Our tourism industry is growing fast since the peace agreement. Tourism has become the second largest source of foreign currency in Colombia, surpassing coffee and flowers."

Between 2010 and 2016, 185 hotels were opened in the country, including some international brands.

Jaramillo says that tourists from China and other Asian countries will play a crucial role in the growth of the tourism industry.

Since 2015, Chinese citizens with US or Schengen visas can enjoy visa-free travel to Colombia, and the Colombian government is working to extend this to those with Canadian visas.

In 2016, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Colombia was 13,280, 14.1 percent more than in 2015.

In 2014, the number was 8,075, and it jumped by 44 percent to 11,630 in 2015.