Tourism in Colombia sets new record with 6.7 million visitors in 2024

Tourism in Colombia reached historic figures during 2024, with the arrival of 6,696,835 non-resident visitors, as reported by the national government based on data from Migración Colombia.

This number represents an 8.5% increase over the previous record set in 2023, when 6,170,221 visitors arrived. It also exceeds the initial expectations of 6 million visitors set by the government for the year.

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Tourism in Colombia closes 2024 with positive figures

In addition to the growth in non-resident tourists, there was also an increase in the number of Colombians living abroad who visited the country.

During 2024, 1,885,217 Colombians arrived, 7.9% more than in 2023. This behavior reinforces the positive trend of tourism in Colombia and highlights the effectiveness of the promotional strategies implemented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Where do foreign tourists come from?

Among the countries with the highest flow of visitors to Colombia, the United States led with 26.5% of the total, equivalent to 1,194,642 tourists. It was followed by Mexico, with 365,545 visitors, and Ecuador, with 348,523.

These markets show a growing preference for the country’s tourism offer, which combines emerging destinations and unique experiences.

Growth in air connectivity, another pillar of tourism in Colombia

Air connectivity also played a key role in the growth of tourism in Colombia. According to the Civil Aeronautics, between January and November 2024, 50,620,375 passengers were mobilized by air, an increase of 15.7% compared to the same period in 2023.

The number of passengers using domestic and international flights was as follows:

• 29,753,219 passengers used scheduled domestic flights.
• 20,867,156 passengers traveled on scheduled international flights.

Bogota, Rionegro-Antioquia and Cartagena were the cities that received the most domestic passengers, while international arrivals grew by 18.3% in the same period.

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Impact of tourism in Colombia

The increase in tourism in Colombia has helped position the country as an attractive, responsible and sustainable destination. The promotion of emerging destinations and the consolidation of local economies have been key to achieving these figures.

However, it also poses significant challenges, such as ensuring environmental sustainability and improving infrastructure to meet the increase in visitors.

• Overall increase: 8.5% increase in non-resident tourists compared to 2023.
• Main source markets: United States, Mexico, and Ecuador.
• Flight growth: 15.7% increase in air passengers.
• Notable cities: Bogota, Rionegro and Cartagena lead in domestic arrivals.

What to expect from tourism in Colombia?

Although the figures are encouraging, tourism in Colombia faces challenges that require immediate attention. Overcrowding in popular destinations and the need to diversify tourism offerings are priority issues.

While tourism in Colombia continues to consolidate as a strategic sector for the country’s economic development, it is necessary to ensure sustainable tourism that benefits both local communities and the environment, as well as being essential to maintain long-term growth.

However, Colombia also stands out for its contribution to tourism in Latin America. The country is not only an attractive destination, but also a benchmark in the development of strategies to attract international visitors.

These include alliances with airlines, promotional campaigns and a focus on cultural and natural diversity. This undoubtedly generates a significant potential to continue attracting international visitors and strengthening its position as a reference destination in Latin America.

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