Areas that traditionally attract tourists, such as the Salar de Uyuni, La Paz, Lake Titicaca and Madidi National Park, have experienced a significant drop in visitor arrivals. Local tour operators have reported massive cancellations of bookings, leaving many tourism workers without income and leading to the closure of hotels, travel agencies and restaurants in these areas.
Political instability is compounded by Bolivia's economic problems in 2024. Inflation has severely affected the purchasing power of the population, and tourism has been no exception. Air fares, accommodation prices and package tours have risen sharply, making it difficult for both domestic and international tourists to afford to travel around the country.
In addition, rising unemployment and the casualisation of jobs in the tourism sector have forced many tourism workers to look for other sources of income. Tour guides, tour operators and small businesses dependent on tourism are among the hardest hit, with many facing the possibility of closure for good.
In addition, the deterioration of tourism infrastructure and lack of investment in international promotion have exacerbated the crisis. While other countries in the region, such as Peru and Colombia, have launched aggressive campaigns to attract tourists, Bolivia has lagged behind, contributing to its loss of competitiveness in the international tourism market.
The perception of insecurity in Bolivia has also had a negative impact on the tourism industry. Reports of criminal incidents in tourist areas and the lack of adequate protection for visitors have generated distrust among potential tourists. Without a coordinated effort to improve security in the main tourist areas, Bolivia continues to lose ground to other South American destinations that have managed to position themselves as safe and attractive places for visitors.
Faced with this situation, tourism stakeholders in Bolivia have made an urgent appeal to the government to implement measures that can save the sector. Among the proposals are the need for an economic recovery plan specifically for tourism, including tax incentives for tourism companies, investments in infrastructure and international campaigns to recover the country's image as a safe and attractive destination.
One of the strategies proposed is to promote domestic tourism, encouraging Bolivians to rediscover their country and supporting small local tourism businesses. However, this effort may not be enough to offset the losses suffered from the decline in international tourism, which has historically represented one of the main sources of income for the sector.
In addition, it has been proposed to establish alliances with neighbouring countries to create tourist routes that include Bolivia in international circuits, taking advantage of its proximity to destinations such as Machu Picchu in Peru or the Atacama Desert in Chile. This strategy would attract international tourists visiting the region and, at the same time, diversify the country's tourism options.
In addition, it has been proposed to establish alliances with neighbouring countries to create tourist routes that include Bolivia in international circuits, taking advantage of its proximity to destinations such as Machu Picchu in Peru or the Atacama Desert in Chile. This strategy would attract international tourists visiting the region and, at the same time, diversify the country's tourism options.
Despite efforts to prevent the collapse of tourism in Bolivia, the future remains uncertain. The sector's recovery will depend largely on the country's political and economic stabilisation, as well as on the ability of the government and the private sector to implement the necessary strategies to revitalise the industry.
