XXII Popayán Gastronomic Congress: A Resounding Success

Entrepreneurs in the Cccauca pavilion had sales of $146,439,488, doubling them compared to 2023.

Despite the uncertainty that reigned on the eve of the celebration of the Popayán Gastronomic Congress, due to the truckers’ strike, the result is positive, it generated 500 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs, sales totaling $1,359,689,488.

It was reported that in the XXII version of 2024 of this fair, the participation of citizens, entrepreneurs, businessmen and local artisans has increased. Some had higher sales than others, as a result of the above strike.

The Cauca Chamber of Commerce Pavilion, located on Calle 4 between Carrera 5 and 6, compared to the year 2023, the entrepreneurs supported by this entity doubled their sales, going from $68,448,000 to $146,439,488 in 2024.

In this regard, the executive president of that entity, Ana Fernanda Muñoz Otoya, highlighted the participation of the citizens of Payanesa and Caucanos from different municipalities who ’embraced the event’, because despite the uncertainty that the siege could have caused, they actively attended and supported Cauca’s business sector, boosting commercial activity during the four days of the fair. He also emphasized the energy and unity of businessmen and Caucano, who do not allow themselves to be overwhelmed by situations that can cloud the development of an activity that makes the region visible to Colombia and the world through gastronomy.

One of the respondents’ comments referred to the overcrowding in the food area (Caldas park).

Pili Pau, La Tolda, the best Payanese cuisine, located in the Cccauca Pavilion.

Guatemala stood out as the guest country, Amazonas, the invited division, and Patía, who played at home, presenting the best of its gastronomy and culture, displayed in its well-decorated stands.

Sweet Tradition in Almíbar, entrepreneurs Pedro Galíndez and his wife Olga Adriana Valdés, Cccauca Pavilion.

Quinza, Handmade Filigree Jewelry, Cccauca Pavilion.

Applied Surveys

During the Congress, the Popayán Metropolitan Police – Tourist Police and its Heritage Guardians program – applied 519 behavioral surveys and 300 satisfaction surveys in five tourist information points, located in Caldas Park, Transport Terminal, Puente del Humilladero, Dann Monasterio, La Plazuela and Camino Real Hotels.

With the information gathered, it was concluded that the event was well received by participants and visitors, the vast majority of whom drew attention to the organization, hospitality and cultural and historical value of the capital of Cauca.

Chocolate, Cccauca Pavilion.

Among the positive, the surveyors highlighted Popayán as a beautiful, quiet city, characterized by the friendliness of its people; Its climate and food make it a magical place, a good institution, an attractive city because of its great potential for tourists and its beautiful colonial architecture.

The Guatemalan representatives wore their typical costumes.

The negative of the event, what the Popayán Gastronomic Corporation must work on to improve it, the respondents pointed to the lack of operation of payment methods, further beautifying the historic sector, uncertainty, improving the cleanliness of the city, more points to dispose of rubbish, extending church and museum hours, extending the Congress to more places in the city, not just concentrating it in Parc Caldas; keep the walls clean, improve mobility and traffic, more cultural activities, maps on the stalls for better location, less overcrowding in the food area, put up signs.

Representatives of the Amazon, in typical dress.

Decorative candles.

These comments, as stated, will be taken into account by the organizers to make the best of future editions of the Congress.