25 Feb The future is bright in the Orinoquia, Colombia

The Orinoquia region of Colombia is experiencing an incredible renaissance. After years of civil war, peace has come to their region and tourism is growing.

Getting to know this region has been a great pleasure. One of my favorite stops on the road from Yopal to Villavicencio is Asadero Las Vegas. This place has great grilled meats popular in Los Llanos but it is the great customer service and enthusiasm of the staff that impressed me the most. Our servers were friendly and welcoming and happy to share a couple of photos with a passing traveler. There were even traditional dancers to entertain the Sunday afternoon crowd.

The young people working at Asadero Las Vegas have bright futures as the benefits of peace take hold in this region. We know from studies in other parts of the world, including Canada and the United States, that many great careers begin in the hospitality industry where people learn customer service and problem-solving skills that last with them throughout their careers. The same will be true here… and whether these young workers stay in tourism or not – they are part of an exciting new time for the Orinoquia.