Aviatur is hit by the fall of the dollar and warnings from the USA and Europe

Jean Claude Bessudo, president of the Aviatur group, admitted in an interview with Valora Analitik that this year has been especially difficult for the company’s tourism business, which represents 60% of the group. He stressed that more than the drop in national tourism, they have been hit by the fall in the dollar exchange rate and the security warnings from the United States and Europe to their fellow citizens.

“This has been a particularly difficult year. Our main problems are the exchange rate and the drop in rates, which are external factors, because 75% of our income is indexed to the dollar and going from $5,000 to $3,800 is a huge difference,” said Bessudo.

He also commented that the decline in national tourism does not affect them as much as the recommendations of the US and European governments to their citizens.

“What has really hit us are the warnings from the United States government to its citizens saying that it is not advisable to come to Colombia. The same goes for the European Union regarding tourism, which says that tourism needs to develop in a safe environment and that it is security and peace that is needed so that tourism can bet on economic benefits for populations throughout the national territory,” Bessudo told the same media outlet.

As reported by REPORTUR.corecently indicated that the peace agreements of President Juan Manuel Santos were very well promoted abroad “and the tourist flows returned and we could talk about the new oil again. Today, our country’s image is being damaged again,” Bessudo told Red+ at the time. (Bessudo discovers how Aviatur created 30 companies without planning).

He also mentioned that Colombia does a good job of promoting itself, “we just need peace, we have to pacify the national territory, throughout the length and breadth of the country” and added that “the only common denominator that Colombia’s problems have in order to find a solution is culture and civic education.”