The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Marcelo Arze, reported today that, in 2017, according to data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE), the tourist flow in Bolivia grew 9.9%, higher than the average of 7% registered worldwide and 3% of America.

«The data from the INE and the UNWTO show that there was an almost threefold growth in tourism flow than in the region and 56 percent of the tourists were foreigners; for Bolivia, tourism is one of the activities that generates more sustainability. From 2008 to 2017 the tourist flow in the country has been doubled, «Arze said, quoted in a press release.

He indicated that, in 2017, foreign tourism grew «considerably» and said that visitors left an expenditure of 802.6 million dollars, according to the INE,

«That same year Bolivia had 1,992,540 tourists, of which 56 percent were foreigners who visited the country and contributed directly to the trade balance. The growth of receptive tourism from 2016 to 2017 was 15.4 percent, «he said.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism promotes 15 tourist destinations that involve several circuits in the country, in the Amazonian north of Beni, Rurrenabaque, Madidi, Lake Titicaca, Salar de Uyuni, Lagunas de Colores, Routes of Wine and Singani in Tarija , the tropic of Cochabamba and Jesuit Missions, among others.

«When we look at the tourism ranking, I see large countries, however, not only the ranking is relevant, I think it is more relevant to show our growth and the almost 10 percent growth is a reflection of the effort that is being made as a State and national government, «he said.