Colombian capital Bogotá has been selected as host for the World Travel Awards Latin America Gala Ceremony 2015 after a fierce bidding process.

Recognised by World Travel Awards as South America’s Leading Business Travel Destination earlier this year, the city has grown to become the leading light in South American tourism.

Visiting Colombia for the first time, the World Travel Awards Gala Ceremony will receive leaders from across the region, as well as influential business leaders and entrepreneurs.

All will be welcome to a magical night where they will experience the warmth of the Colombian people and all the things that make Bogotá one of the best destinations for business, meetings and leisure in South America.

“As director of Instituto Distrital de Turismo, the official tourism institute of the city of Bogotá, it is an honour and privilege to bring the World Travel Awards Latin America Gala Ceremony to the city, and indeed to Colombia, for the first time.

“Bogotá has been recognised as South America’s Leading Business Travel Destination by World Travel Awards; a reflection of the confidence placed by the South American travel community in our city of Infinite Possibilities,” said Tatiana Piñeros Laverde, director general, Instituto Distrital de Turismo, Bogotá.

Bogotá is located in the centre of Colombia on a vast plain 2,600 meters above sea level and, with a population of eight million people, the city as diverse as country.

Declared World Book Capital by UNESCO and Iberoamerican Capital of Culture by the UCCI, Bogotá has become one of the most important cities in South America, with public spaces such as plazas, streets and modern avenues available to all.

Bogotá has a varied nightlife offering domestic and foreign tourists alike different options and styles.

A permanent cultural agenda incorporates more than 60 museums and art galleries, with the city also home the most famous rock festival of the continent - Rock al Parque.

World Travel Awards president Graham Cooke explained: “World Travel Awards has grown rapidly in South America of late, having hosted successful events in Quito, Ecuador, and Lima, Peru.

“In 2015 it will be the turn of Bogotá, Colombia, to wow the regional tourism industry when we arrive for our Latin America Gala Ceremony.

He added: “I have high hopes the destination will surpass our expectations and I look forward to working with the team on the ground in Colombia in the coming months.”