Colombia Reports Increase in Foreign Tourist Arrivals During First Half of 2024

Colombia saw an 8.5% increase in the number of non-resident visitors in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period last year. The main destinations were Bogotá, Antioquia (including Medellín), and Bolívar (including Cartagena).

An analysis by the Economic Studies Office of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism, based on data from Migración Colombia, reported 3,115,341 non-resident visitors in the first half of 2024. This includes 2,144,765 foreign non-residents, reflecting an 11.1% increase from the same period in 2023.

In June 2024 alone, 359,851 foreign non-residents arrived in the country, a 9.8% increase from June 2023.

The primary countries of origin for foreign non-residents from January to June 2024 were the United States (28.2%), Mexico (8.0%), and Ecuador (8.0%). Costa Rica showed significant growth, with a 51.3% increase in visitors compared to the same period in 2023.

Regarding regional preferences, Bogotá received 36.9% of the foreign non-residents, followed by Antioquia (27.6%) and Bolívar (20.1%).

The largest increases in tourist numbers in the first half of 2024 were in Antioquia (25.8%), Bolívar (17.6%), and Risaralda (7.9%).

Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Luis Carlos Reyes Hernández, commented on the data, noting the efforts to position Colombia as a major tourist destination in Latin America and globally. He emphasized the goal of making sustainable tourism a key economic driver for the country.

In terms of connectivity, the latest report from Aerocivil, the Civil Aviation Authority indicated that 26,859,000 passengers traveled through the country’s airports between January and June 2024, a 16.8% increase from the first half of 2023. This represents an additional 3,867,000 passengers during this period.

Approximately 16 million passengers traveled on domestic flights, an increase of 12% (1,702,000 more passengers) compared to the first half of 2023.

Foreign direct investment in commerce, restaurants, and hotels reached USD $526 million in the first three months of 2024, a 21.3% increase from the same period in 2023. Additionally, travel-related exports brought in USD $2.536 billion in the first quarter of 2024, a 19% increase compared to the same period last year.

These figures reinforce Colombia’s position as a preferred destination in Latin America, showcasing the country’s cultural, community, and culinary experiences, and promoting non-traditional tourist areas through sustainability, productivity, and respect for nature.

Above photo: Barú beach outside of Cartagena, Colombia by Loren Moss