Tourists that visit the Eco-shops in the National Parks of Colombia
will soon be able to buy handicrafts that have been produced by
vulnerable communities in Colombia thanks to an agreement signed
this week between Aviatur and IOM.

The handicrafts are made using environmentally sustainable
traditional methods by the communities living around park areas,
including displaced people, victims of illegal armed groups and
anti-personnel mines, people undergoing reintegration to civilian
life and victims of human trafficking. All of these people benefit
from various IOM programmes financed by United States Agency for
International Development (USAID).

The products will be available initially in the Eco-shops of the
Tayrona Natural Park, judged by some to be one of the world's five
most attractive eco-tourist destinations and which Aviatur expects
will receive around 250,000 tourists by the end of the year. The
products will then be made available in five other parks managed by
Aviatur and its hotels around the country.

The main objective of the alliance is to facilitate the
marketing of the products made by those assisted by IOM in Aviatur
outlets and to generate internships and employment opportunities
for them in the Aviatur group.

However, other initiatives such as a joint project for the
environmental recuperation of the Colombian pacific coast through
the recollection and recycling of plastic, a project for the
recovery of gastronomic traditions as well as a project focusing on
preventing children from being forcibly recruited to illegal armed
groups in Guapi, a community located in south-west Colombia, are
also being studied by both organizations.

"The agreement between IOM and Aviatur is an excellent
opportunity for us to support social inclusion and to promote local
development of the communities living close to the Parks," says
Norberto Carrasco, President of Aviatur Travel Agency.

This is the second agreement between IOM and Aviatur. An
agreement signed in 2008 between the two benefited nearly 500
displaced families from the Anei Association, whose coffee was sold
at ecotourism shops, hotels and Aviatur agencies.

According to Aurora Izquierdo, President of the Anei
Association, that agreement represents more than 30 per cent of its
annual sales of roasted and ground coffee beans.  In addition,
direct contact with the client has strengthened the autonomy of the
Association.

"IOM, with the financial resources of USAID, helps producers and
their companies to place their products in national and
international markets," says José Ángel Oropeza,
IOM's Chief of Mission in Colombia. "The support of private sector
companies like Aviatur is fundamental for the sustainability of
these efforts."

For further information, please contact:

Jorge Gallo

IOM Colombia

Tel: +57 1 622 7774

E-mail: "mailto:jgallo@iom.int">jgallo@iom.int