Why so few tourists go to Venezuela? (Spanish)

[Bacchus4.0]

http://www.el-nacional.com/noticia/51075/24/por-que-llegan-tan-pocos-turistas-extranjeros-a-venezuela.html

summary (mine): Andes snow-capped mountains, Amazon rain forest, the longest coast line in the Caribeean, the world's highest waterfalls, all the ingredients for a tourism paradise. In 2009, 600,000 international tourists visited Ven, while Colombia had 2 million. Some tourists that do go to Ven, go because of they are attracted to the political climate of Ven. (e.g. DU chavistas) Some of the measures imposed by Chavez dissuades tourism. A sandwich and a bottle of water costs $25 in a Caracas cafe. One of the highest murder rates in Latin America is also problematic. They site a Brazilian publicity official who says the main reason may be the lack of investment in tourism since they are completely dependent on oil exports and there is no incentive to invest in other industries.




Tiene montañas andinas coronadas de nieve, selva amazónica, la costa más larga del Caribe y las cascadas más altas del mundo, todos los ingredientes para ser un paraíso turístico. Pero Venezuela no lo es.

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En 2009 Venezuela recibió poco más de 600.000 visitantes internacionales, según cifras del Banco Mundial. La vecina Colombia, por el contrario, tuvo más de dos millones.

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Desde que el presidente Hugo Chávez asumió el cargo en 1999, algunos turistas extranjeros se han visto atraídos por el ambiente político venezolano.
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Un sándwich y una botella de agua en un café en Caracas cuesta alrededor de US$25 a la tasa de cambio oficial.

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Venezuela, que tiene una de las tasas de homicidios más altas en América Latina, ciertamente ha tenido dificultades con su reputación de violencia.

[COLGATE4]

1. Not to worry. Hugo will probably move towards

setting up Dollar-denominated tourist hotels, resorts, etc. to fleece visitors from Northern climes while scewing the (native) staff in devalued Bolivares. Works in Cuba.

[Bacchus4.0]

5. only Paraguay has received fewer visitors in Spanish/Portuguese America

and Paraguay is trending up while Ven is trending down. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL

[Bacchus4.0]

2. there are too many other places to go that are economical

Ecuador and Peru are particularly inexpensive. Colombia is getting more expensive but you certainly don't need to worry about a $25 sandwich and water.

[On the Road]

3. Where are a Sandwich and Water Supposed to Cost $25?

In the 5-star European hotel in Caracas?

In 2004, everything was very cheap. Country was beautiful. People were friendly. The biggest obstacles were there were the lack of English speakers and the the fact that most banks didn't accept US ATM cards.

It was a little scruffier than the Virgin Islands, but to me that only added to the charm. Would really like to go again to do the rest of the country.

[Bacchus4.0]

4. 2004 was before the dual exchange rate that was instituted a couple of years ago n/t

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[On the Road]

8. You're Right, I Hadn't Known About the Dual Exchange Rate

although this article says that it has since been dropped:

http://www.eluniversal.com/2010/12/30/en_eco_esp_venezuela-announces_30A4912931.shtml

The exchange rate is now 4.3 bolivars to the dollar, but that seems to be a new currency introduced in 2007, so direct comparison is difficult.

However, the source mentioned in the OP seemed to be depicting Venezuela as having extraordinarily high prices. In 2004, it was extraordinarily cheap, and nothing in the exchange rates would have accounted for that large a swing. Without further corroboration, I just have to take that observation with a grain of salt.

[Roverticus]

6. I would like to visit venezuela

But, its not number one on my list. The media portrays it as a quirky place, and for that reason I'd like to see it. Unfortunately, that aspect overshadows its natural beauty and rich culture.

[naaman fletcher]

7. How unsafe is it for a tourist?

I have traveled extensively in Africa. In fact, I'll be in Liberia in a few weeks. Everyone always tells me how dangerous it is before I go, but the reality is that outside of the slums as long as you are careful it's no problem.

For example, every day, every other month, for over a year I walked 2 miles into an out of Nairobi every day, which is something that everyone told me I shouldn't do.

[On the Road]

9. If You've Traveled in Africa,

I think Venezuela would be a piece of cake. I found it to be very open and friendly. Got my pocket picked and lost a passport, but that was it. Even in the slums everyone was neat, composed, and just going about their business.

Warning: I was there in 2004 (during the recall attempt BTW). So take the time differences into account.

[naaman fletcher]

10. I will say

I find central america less safe than Africa. I used to semi-live in Panama and have been to Guatemala a bit. I found the average person much less friendly than in Africa. There is of course reason to believe that it has to do with our less than direct interference in Africa compared to central america.

[On the Road]

12. I Expected to Find Some Anti-American Sentiment

but really didn't encounter any. On the contrary, people tended to be enthusiastic when they found out I was from the US, maybe in part because there are so few tourists. Even the Chavistas running the anti-recall booths on the street were eager to hand me material and tell me why Chavez should stay in office.

If you´re seriously thinking about going, I'd be glad to share some more pics and a travel itinerary. I'm on vacation, but if you PM or email me (address in Profile), I can send when I get back. IMO, Venezuela is different and very worth it.

[naaman fletcher]

13. thanks

If I ever get the chance, I'll ping you.

[COLGATE4]

11. You'd probably be OK outside of Caracas but

Caracas itself is tremendously dangerous these days. I'm told tourists are getting robbed quite handily on Margarita Island, too.