The tourism sector has rebounded, demonstrating that the measures taken during the pandemic were timely and effective. According to Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), after two years of figures below those recorded in 2019, Colombia forecasts GDP growth of 8 to 14 percent in the accommodation and food services sector, amounting to approximately US$9,390 million.
With regard to international tourism, 3 million non-resident visitors are expected to arrive, representing 67% of the 2019 figure—one of Colombia’s best years. The Colombian government has made tourism a priority and has devoted all its efforts to reviving the sector, which is why it created ProColombia, an agency dedicated to promoting the country as a tourist destination.
“We are convinced that tourism is one of the most important drivers of our economy, which is why the government has decided to revive it. We want to position Colombia as a destination where you can find everything: cuisine, culture, adventure, and nature,” said Flavia Santoro, president of Pro Colombia.
A key player in this recovery is the hotel industry, which has recorded an occupancy rate of 52% and is estimated to reach between 55% and 58% in 2022. The domestic destinations with the highest occupancy rates during the January–October 2021 period were San Andrés (75%), Tolima and Alto Magdalena (75%), Cartagena (69%), Magdalena (69%), and Antioquia (63%).
By the end of 2021, 40,000 of the jobs lost in the sector will have been recovered, representing 64% of the total. Colombia’s tourism sector is slowly recovering from the blow it suffered during the pandemic, and the various measures that were implemented appear to be working. Thanks to incentives and the confidence instilled in tourists through policies focused on biosafety, visitor numbers and connectivity are recovering at a steady pace.
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Growth and Future Outlook in Colombia
As a result, a brighter future is beginning to take shape for Colombia, thanks to local and foreign investments that are beginning to pay off, the vaccination campaign, the easing of restrictions, and people’s desire to change their work environments—as well as their willingness to use their savings and take out loans to travel; hotels are filling up, and the new summer season has just begun.
The 2021 figures show an increase of more than 20% from the lowest point in the country’s history (since 1988) and could reach the highest peak recorded to date—which was in 2019—in 2022.
Colombia expects GDP growth of between 8% and 14% in the lodging and food service sector, amounting to a total of $9,390 million
Despite this recovery, the tourism segments that have not yet shown significant activity are corporate tourism and MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions, and Events). Bogotá is an example of a city that has not yet recovered from the great recession because companies remain reluctant to hold in-person meetings.
New Tourism Law
It is hoped that, with the new Tourism Law and its tax benefits, rate reductions, and exemptions, it will be possible to increase the flow of tourists and investment in the sector. In addition, this law focuses on defining key environmental criteria:
- Environmental Criteria for the Sustainable Practice of Tourism
- Responsible practices for long-term growth
- Protecting the environment
- Protecting natural resources
- Maintaining the stability of biodiversity, ecosystems, and tangible and intangible heritage
The new Tourism Law is a step in the right direction for Colombia, which is striving to position itself as an attractive destination that embraces sustainable practices and environmental protection. The criteria established by this law will not only increase tourist arrivals but also create jobs within the industry over time.
This law aims to define the environmental criteria for sustainable tourism, responsible practices for long-term growth, and environmental protection. This is a very important step toward achieving the goal of positioning Colombia as a destination where visitors can find everything they need.
Colombia’s goal is not only to increase tourist arrivals but also to improve the quality of life for its residents. They want people working in the tourism sector to have better working conditions, receive social security benefits, and be able to earn enough income to remain in their hometowns. The new Tourism Law is a step in the right direction toward achieving all these goals, and they are confident that, with its implementation, Colombia will continue to grow as a tourist destination.
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