According to Travel Pulse, in the first half of 2024, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and travel data company ForwardKeys estimate that the number of international tourists to Andean countries increased by 24% compared to the same period last year. As the longest mountain range in the world (7,000km), the Andes span seven South American countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela.
Among them, Colombia ranked third among Latin American countries with the highest growth in international tourist arrivals. After the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the tourism industry has had a remarkable recovery.
Cartagena, Colombia. Photo: Adobe Stock/sonjanovak)
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Germán Umaña Mendoza assured that this growth "is linked to a record number of non-resident visitors in 2023. This implies that the economy will have greater consumption and spending dynamics in tourism-related sectors, with a positive impact on the territories."
The number of non-resident tourists in Colombia exceeded 5.8 million in 2022, up 26.6%, according to the report. Last year, 1.5 million Colombians living abroad returned to the country.
In the aviation sector, Colombia ranks among the top three Latin American countries with the most significant aviation capacity. With 28 airlines, 11 Colombian cities are connected to 28 countries and 51 international cities.
Choosing the right market
“Colombia continues to demonstrate its resilience and capacity for public-private partnerships in the travel and tourism sector,” said Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President of WTTC. “These positive figures demonstrate Colombia’s position as a global benchmark in the tourism industry.”
The extraordinary results Colombia is expecting reflect the success of a marketing strategy that is informed by decisions made through data solutions, according to Olivier Ponti, Vice President of Insights ForwardKeys.
"These achievements are the result of collaboration between the public and private sectors, demonstrating the country's ability to leverage information and smart market trends," emphasized Mr. Olivier Ponti.
Mr. Oliver Ponti also said that the Colombian tourism industry has chosen a strategy of approaching source markets such as the United States or Spain. The resulting figures have boosted the tourism industry and contributed significantly to economic growth and employment, marking an important milestone for the country on the international stage.
San Andres Island, Colombia. (Photo: Valentin Fuentes)
The two cities of Medellin and Cartagena are the places with the highest number of international bookings in the first half of 2024.
According to forecasts, tourism from Colombia to other countries will increase by 31% year-on-year in the first half of 2024. Some of the favorite countries chosen by Colombian tourists are the United States, Spain and Mexico.
As of 2022, Colombia's travel and tourism industry has exceeded its contribution to the national GDP compared to before the Covid-19 pandemic, estimated at $14.9 billion, 2.6% higher than in 2019.
In terms of employment, the tourism industry created 1.25 million jobs, equivalent to 5.6% of total employment in the country, exceeding the 2019 level of 2.6%.
Benefit from tourism
Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Germán Umaña assured that Colombia is one of the favorite tourist destinations in Latin America not only for its beach tourism and nature exploration, but also for its culinary, cultural and community experiences.
The large number of tourists coming here has boosted the local economy, especially in the short-term rental and vacation rental sector.
The Colombian Association of Travel Service Providers through Digital Platforms (Asohost) also forecasts that in 2024, short-term and vacation rentals will grow by 7% and reach a turnover of more than 650 million USD.
"Tourism has become a major reactivator of the Colombian economy, a source of income and a dynamic creator of jobs. In 2021 alone, spending by guests booking accommodation through Airbnb contributed more than $554 million to GDP, creating around 64,000 jobs in the country while also boosting the growth of other sectors such as gastronomy, transportation and commerce. Revenues related to this sector reached $274 million," emphasized the association's director Juan Camilo Vargas.
According to Mr. Vargas, the competitive prices of short-term rentals and vacations in Colombia compared to other countries have made it an attractive destination for tourists, especially international visitors. Together with the regulation of leading market demand, this has helped Colombian tourism maintain a certain position in Latin America, opening up opportunities for international business and investment development./.
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