More than 300 taxi drivers from Barranquilla's airport will be trained to become tourism promoters

NewsThe SENA and the Mayor's Office began training the first 50 drivers of the Ernesto Cortissoz. The City Manager, Ana María Aljure, center, invited taxi drivers to become promoters of Barranquilla's tourism offerings. Photo: SENA JOURNALIST10.10.2026 17:36 Updated: 10.10.2026 17:36 Taxi drivers who provide services at the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport in Barranquilla will begin to take on a new role, in addition to transporting passengers: becoming tourism promoters for the city, with knowledge of its cultural, gastronomic, heritage, and recreational attractions. READ ALSO The initiative, led by SENA Regional Atlántico and the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla, includes training for more than 300 drivers, of whom a first group of 50 has already begun the training process in tourism information, visitor service, and hospitality. The purpose is to improve the experience of those arriving in Barranquilla by air, taking into account that taxi drivers are often travelers' first contact with the city. Director Dorys del Toro and City Manager Ana María Aljure with the taxi drivers. Photo: SENA The City Manager, Ana María Aljure, highlighted that this training represents an opportunity for drivers to expand their knowledge and take on a more active role in promoting Barranquilla as a tourist destination. "I want to tell you: taxi drivers have an opportunity today that they cannot pass up. This training must generate a change of mindset in each of you. You must take advantage of it to grow, to move forward," said the official. Aljure insisted that transportation service also influences the perception visitors build of a city, especially when it comes to people arriving for the first time. "You have a very beautiful job: transporting people from one place to another, but now you can strengthen that service by also becoming promoters of Barranquilla's tourism offerings," she added. The airport, a commitment of the Mayor's OfficeThe training is taking place at a time when the Mayor's Office of Barranquilla is taking over the administration, operation, and maintenance of the landside of the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport, following the signing of an inter-administrative agreement with the National Government for an initial period of one year and eight months. SENA Regional Atlántico seeks to strengthen drivers' skills. Photo: SENA The District of Barranquilla will make an initial contribution of up to 40 billion pesos for the operation and improvement of the infrastructure. The Mayor's Office will manage the passenger terminal, baggage areas, commercial zones, access points, air conditioning, and other landside services. Mayor Alejandro Char, after an inspection, described the state of the terminal: "Touring our Ernesto Cortissoz airport, we found many areas in very poor condition, bathrooms that don't work, baggage handling areas without technology, very slow, there are no working conditions for airport employees, the international zone for the arrival of tourists is chaotic, it's unfinished construction, we will finish it soon, the domestic one is just beginning to improve." READ ALSO President Abelardo de la Espriella highlighted that this measure is a key step for the airport to reflect the city's progress. "The proper functioning of the airport also depends on how easily Atlántico and the Caribbean do business, organize major events, and connect with the rest of the world. The decision being put into motion today responds precisely to that vision. The Nation and the Ministry will acquire experience, resources, and management capacity so that this terminal advances much faster," said the president. READ ALSO In this scenario, the training of taxi drivers seeks to strengthen one of the services that directly impacts the passenger experience and Barranquilla's image among visitors. Drivers will become tourism guidesDuring the sessions, participants will receive information about points of interest, tourist routes, gastronomy, cultural events, and services available in Barranquilla and its metropolitan area. They will also develop communication and customer service skills to address travelers' concerns. The first 50 taxi drivers began their training in visitor service. Photo: SENA Édgar Rocha, an airport taxi driver and one of the participants, believes this training will improve the service and contribute to the growth of tourism. "On many occasions, we are the first contact tourists have when arriving in the city. So this training that SENA is providing us is of vital importance for the focus being given to Barranquilla, of becoming a city that makes the most of tourism," he said. For her part, Dorys del Toro, acting director of SENA Atlántico, explained that the goal is to strengthen drivers' skills so they can provide proper guidance to visitors. READ ALSO "We want to provide taxi drivers with tools and knowledge so they can guide visitors about the richness of our territory, strengthening the quality of the service and the experience of those who visit us," she noted. Follow all the news from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter. EL TIEMPO NEWSLETTERSSign up for our newsletters and receive news in your email based on your interests. Stay informed about what really matters to you. EL TIEMPO GOOGLE NEWSFollow us on GOOGLE NEWS. Always stay up to date with the latest news, coverage, stories, and analysis directly on Google News. 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