Factors affecting the competitiveness of tourism companies in Colombia

The study seeks to determine the factors that affect the competitiveness of tourism companies in Colombia, using the Resources and Capabilities Theory (RBV). Specifically, it analyzes the impact of strategic planning, commercial management, supplies and product and service planning on the competitiveness of the sector. A quantitative and correlational approach was used, with principal component analysis and structural equations to evaluate the impact of variables on competitiveness. The sample consisted of 74 tourism companies in Colombia. An instrument with 32 questions was designed to evaluate the influence of key variables on organizational performance. Strategic planning is the most determining factor in competitiveness, with an incidence of 53.6%. There was evidence of multicollinearity among the variables, indicating an interdependence in their effect on competitiveness. Variables such as legal form, type of clients, seniority and size of the companies were analyzed, finding that those constituted as natural persons present greater competitiveness. The findings provide key information for the design of business strategies to strengthen the competitiveness of tourism companies in Colombia. They highlight the need for sound strategic planning and efficient resource management to improve the sector's performance. And it is recommended to take advantage of ICTs and e-commerce to strengthen the relationship with clients and suppliers, as well as to implement sustainable practices in tourism as a competitive strategy. This study contributes to the knowledge on the factors that influence the competitiveness of tourism companies in Colombia, using an approach based on the Theory of Resources and Capabilities. It also provides an empirical basis for decision-making in the tourism sector and contributes to the formulation of effective business strategies.