Externadista pride! Winners of the 2020 Procolombia National Tourism Awards

In the second version of the Procolombia National Tourism Awards held this year, two of our most outstanding Tourism and Hotel Business Administration graduates were nominated and awarded.

First, the award for “Person of the year, leadership in tourism excellence” went to Adolfo Scheel Mayenberger. It should be noted that this category was based on the public’s vote and, according to the Procolombia report, obtained 2,865 votes. Adolfo has taught our undergraduate and graduate programs for over 30 years. Currently, he is a professor of our Masters in Senior Management and Hotel Development program. A graduate of the Faculty’s first class (1979), has written several books relating to hotel operations, among them, «Evaluación operacional y financiera, aplicado a la industria hotelera» (Operational and financial evaluation, applied to the hotel industry), considered the “bible” of hoteliers in Colombia and Latin America. For over 25 years, he served as Director of Operations of the GHL Hotels chain and held top management positions, honoring the Externado’s name.

Similarly, Procolombia conferred the award «Nos encontraremos pronto, destino con los brazos abiertos» (We will meet soon, destination with open arms) to the Bogotá District Tourism Institute, headed by our outstanding graduate Karol Fajardo. She has held this position since February 2020 and, together with her team, devised this powerful campaign to reactivate this activity in the city, given the current situation. She is a 2005 graduate, was deputy director of Promotion and Marketing of the Tourism Promotion Fund, vice minister of Tourism, director of the Sector Analysis and Promotion of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism.

The Tourism and Hotel Business Administration Faculty is proud to have this admirable representation. Our sincere congratulations and appreciation for the valuable contributions to the sector’s development in Colombia and internationally to both honorees.