Vichada Tourism Council

Welcome to the Tourism Council of Puerto Carreño and Vichada (an international cooperative consortium) located on the Orinoco River, in the capital city (seat) of the Colombian State of Vichada, "The Land of People for People without Land." We encourage and recommend that all backpackers, explorers, travellers, tourists and visitors join our international/local association prior to arrival in order to gain access to a wide-range of benefits, discounts, products and services. Since we expect Tourism to become the region's primary source of income by 2025 we encourage all members of the local civil society to become engaged in our council and network.

International Tourism Destination

The founding body of the Tourism Council is Globcal International a subsidiary of Ecology Crossroads Cooperative Foundation (a US non-governmental organization) which established the "Puerto Carreño, Vichada SDGs Fund" from its legal office in Washington, DC; this partnership will facilitate the organization's ability to submit documents, plans and proposals for grants and funding from more than 100,000 private foundations, educational institutions and address funding sources in English. The office in the United States will also assist with registering our unique brands, origins, sources and protecting intellectual property that belong to our members.

It may take us some time simply because of the nature of where we are, local customs, new COVID policies, and redrafting the local rules for accomodation to comply with international standards, but we will get there you can count on it, we have a whole town that is willing to work hard.

Toninas - Orinoco River Dolphins in Puerto Carreño

Toninas: Local name for the Orinoco River Dolphin, Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana (L) an endangered species is still frequently seen in Puerto Carreño crises in Venezuela have reduced populations of many Orinoco species that are over hunted and poached.

Institutional Vision of the Tourism Council

Fostering ecologically sustainable socioeconomic growth of the dynamic Puerto Carreño, Vichada and Colombia tourism products and services for everyone to enjoy.

Institutional Mission of the Tourism Council (Consortium)

To collaborate with partners and stakeholders in executing innovative strategies to market, develop and enhance Puerto Carreño and Vichada tourism sustainably in harmony with the needs of visitors through local partnerships that demonstrate economic results which improve in the region.

Guiding Principles of the Puerto Carreño Tourism Council

Tourism is a national priority designed to bring benefit to Colombia and enhance the overall visitors’ experience;
Appropriate balance among all sectors of the industry safeguards and secures Colombia’s destination-positioning in the global tourism market;
Tourism sector planning and management are based on partnerships, investments, collaboration and creative approaches;
Local communities play a meaningful role in the tourism sector, one that ensures economic, social and cultural benefits to each participating community;
Integrate tourism policy and development programs with national economic, social, cultural and environmental policies;
The tourism industry is developed with the integral involvement of the private sector;
Tourism recognizes the importance of protecting Colombia’s natural and cultural resources;

Council Membership

There are different levels of membership because the actual nature of our organization is international which is both that of a civil association and a functional cooperative with stakeholders. The various levels of membership will be discussed in our first assembly in October 2023. The initial formation involves the Puerto Carreño Tourism Fund which is operated by a United States nonprofit and charitable organization located in Washington, DC.

The formational infrastructure (office, employees and online network) requires 48 - 60 million Colombian pesos to operate during the course of the first year for a maximum of 250 members of the approximately 400 businesses that currently support the tourism sector.

In Puerto Carreño there will be a monthly meeting on the third Friday of each month.

The Council (Consortium) is made up of three parts:

Puerto Carreño (Vichada) Tourism Fund - Is responsible for receiving funds such as contributions, donations, grants. investments and loans through development banks engaged in international cooperation projects.
Puerto Carreño (Vichada) Tourism Consortium - Is responsible for the planning and implementation of local programs based on well-redacted proposals for funding and through investment with private investors (tourists) that are willing to risk their money through the oversight of the board which is elected by the members. The Tourism Council is the main functional and practical arm of the consortium. The Tourism Council will be formed based on an executive council and a board of directors which will be nominated by the Founding Organizer and Executive Director, Col. David J. Wright then confirmed by the Founding Secretary and Legal Representative, Yanine Uribe. Annual membership costs will be determined based on the actual cost of our operational expenses and the number of members, the more members the lower the annual membership cost will be per person. We are not charging this fee in advance because we have not established an office. We expect the annual membership cost will be dependent on the benefits being sought and our success in achieving our goals together.
Vichada Network - The Vichada Network is being developed by Globcal International, it is owned by its participants which pay a monthly fee for access to network services at a cost of $60 USD per year and a $30 USD initial registration fee. Membership in the Vichada Network is a prerequisite of all of Globcal International Programs.