Uruguay Experience

The BIT Centre (meaning “Welcome, Interpretation and Tourist”) was officially inaugurated on the 6^th of October in Colonia del Sacramento. After carrying out some research, Uruguayan Ministry of Sports and Tourism found out that this city is the main entrance for foreingers in the whole country. For that reason, the BIT is intended to be much more than a visitors’ information centre. It is a place for tourists to get in touch with our culture; an exhibition of all our country has to offer.

When I first heard about this U$S1.500.000 construction, with its extravagant architecture and hi-tech devices, I had serious doubts about its usefulness. I wondered, for example, how interesting could it be for a Japanese visitor to read about my country through a touch-screen, when he comes here to "experience Uruguay" for himself.

On my visit to the centre, I found an airy, bright, comfortable reception, with friendly and laid-back staff. Despite my initial reservations, I have to admit that this was a major improvement – and a necessary one- when we compare to our former information office, which was so tiny and cramped.

At the reception, visitors will find information about what to do and where to go in Uruguay, and the possibility to arrange transport services and accomodation through a private company. There is also a restaurant which offers typical dishes -soon accompanied by shows-, a crafts shop, and a space for temporal exhibitions that now displays a series of murga costumes lent by the Carnival Museum.

The main feature of the centre (and my personal favourite) is an audiovisual production which is projected on the walls of a special darkened room. The video starts by briefly showing a timeline of several events that marked our history, then pictures of Colonia, and the main beauty spots in the whole country. It also makes a rapid review through some elements of our culture, and in only 10 minutes, you get a fairly clear picture of what Uruguay is.

Since the center was opened, in July, more than 4928 people have visited it, only a 26% of whom were Uruguayans. I still cannot tell whether the BIT will be a profittable investment or not, and if visitors are really going to enjoy it. For me, it is an attractive and interesting place, and I think local residents should not miss the opportunity to go. Maybe the authorities should ensure that the centre is involved with the community, and it doesn’t end up being seen as a place ‘just for tourists’.

Mural painting by the artist Tunda Prada, representig our history through a comic

The BIT includes a space for children with books and netbooks

Source: Diario "La Colonia", Information provided by Viviana Beltrán

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