The country officials are determined to push Bolivia up in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index

Despite the richness and diversity of natural resources, feeble infrastructure and outstandingly unspoiled areas, Bolivia has not so far been able to attract as much US and European tourists as its neighbor Peru. Lack of accommodation and electricity supply made many travelers change their minds about visiting this country.

Bolivia ranks 141 on the 2015 World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index and the authorities' goal is to push the country up to 100. The new tourism development strategy and $800 million investments (both government and private sector money) aim to attract 7.1m visitors a year by 2020.

Building of new ski resort on Mount Mururata, 35km east of La Paz, in collaboration with Austrian specialists will also position the country higher on the Latin American skiing market, among Argentina and Chile.

Improvements in transportation links between the Andes and the Amazon, upgrades of Santa Cruz de la Sierra airport and next year's opening of new boutique hotels and new Marriott, Starwood and Accor hotels are all projects that will make the country more appealing for visitors, while Bolivia's tourism will go upmarket, according to the tourism ministry.

“We intend to position Bolivia as a top destination in South America. It is a synthesis of the region: the Amazon, the Andes, valleys and indigenous communities”, tourism minister Marko Machicao declared about the government's plan.