Sonesta to Open Property in Medellin, Colombia in 2010

It was a year ago at TravelMart Latin America in Cartagena, Colombia when we learned the destination was soon to be a Latin America tourism giant. Since then, Cartagena and Bogota have increased significantly in tourism and we now learn that Medellin is next. Sonesta Hotels will open a 125-room hotel in the destination in 2010, says Juan Rodriguez Medina, marketing and sales director for GHL Hoteles, which manages such companies as Sonesta, Sheraton and Howard Johnson, to name a few. The destination also recently unveiled a Radisson Hotel. For years, Medellin has been known as one of the most dangerous areas in Colombia. But with events like the annual Flower Fair in August, along with its revitalized infrastructure and booming nightlife, Medellin has become a safe destination for business travelers as well as young clients looking to dance the night away. We expect more airlift and hotels to set up shop here within the next few years. Keep it on your radar.