Colombia recorded more than 24 million non-resident visitors during the current presidential term and generated close to $34.43 billion USD in foreign exchange from travel through December 2025, figures released by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, or MinCIT) show. The ministry says tourism has become one of the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange, surpassing traditional export sectors such as coal and coffee.

“Today, Colombia demonstrates that it can also generate wealth from its biodiversity, its cultural heritage, the quality of its services and the talent of its people.” -Diana Marcela Morales, Former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism

The figures were presented during the Foro Internacional de Turismo: Colombia, un destino por explorar (International Tourism Forum: Colombia, a Destination to Explore), held in Bogotá on July 15. The event brought together tourism associations, business leaders, academics and government officials to discuss the sector’s performance and future, including regenerative tourism, artificial intelligence, smart mobility and innovation in visitor experiences.

Promoted under the campaign Descubre la Diversidad de Colombia, El País de la Belleza (Discover the Diversity of Colombia, the Country of Beauty), the ministry reported that more than 24 million non-resident visitors arrived during the administration of President Gustavo Petro, representing a 109% increase compared with the previous equivalent period. Of those arrivals, 14.8 million were foreign visitors.

According to the Banco de la República, Colombia’s central bank, tourism generated approximately $34.43 billion USD in foreign exchange through December 2025, exceeding revenue from coal and coffee exports. Tourism has also become the country’s largest services export, with 57% of services export earnings coming from the sector.

“For decades, much of the country’s capacity to generate foreign exchange was tied to the export of raw materials,” Former Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Diana Marcela Morales said. “Today, Colombia demonstrates that it can also generate wealth from its biodiversity, its cultural heritage, the quality of its services, the talent of its people and the confidence that millions of people place in choosing the country as a destination. Tourism expresses, perhaps like few other sectors, that transition toward a more diversified economy with greater added value.”

Employment has also expanded alongside visitor growth. Figures from DANE (Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadística, Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics) show that accommodation and food service activities supported approximately 1.8 million jobs in February 2026, a 15% increase compared with the same period in 2019. During 2025, the sector accounted for 4.4% of Colombia’s national value added.

International demand has continued to grow during 2026. In the first quarter, more than 368,000 international airline tickets were sold with Colombia as the destination, representing a 16.7% increase over the previous year. The largest source markets were the United States, Brazil and Mexico.

During the first two months of 2026, approximately 10 million passengers traveled through Colombia’s airports, an 8% increase across domestic and international traffic. Between January and March, the country received 1.58 million non-resident visitors.

The government has also expanded tourism investment beyond major destinations. MinCIT reported that infrastructure projects—including trails, docks, boardwalks and gastronomic plazas—have reached 699 municipalities, representing 63% of Colombia’s territory. According to the ministry, 207 municipalities received tourism investment for the first time.

The ministry also said tourism initiatives now cover all 140 municipalities included in Colombia’s Programas de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial (Development Programs with a Territorial Focus, or PDET), a post-conflict development framework for areas historically affected by armed conflict. Through its Turismo para una Cultura de Paz (Tourism for a Culture of Peace) strategy, more than 999 businesses have joined the Colombia Destinos de Paz (Colombia Peace Destinations) certification.

“Unlike other economic activities, whose benefits tend to concentrate in specific production centers, tourism generates value precisely where a country’s natural, cultural and historical heritage is located,” Morales said. “It is a bridge that connects different cultures and brings opportunities to intermediate municipalities, strengthens rural economies, energizes small businesses and creates incentives to conserve what makes each territory unique.”

Headline Photo: Beachside in Barú, Colombia (photo by Loren Moss)

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT) has published a draft decree that establishes the procedure for dissolving and cancelling the legal status of nonprofit entities that fail to register with chambers of commerce or that remain inactive for extended periods.

In Colombia, chambers of commerce are public-private entities that maintain the official commercial registry of legal entities such as nonprofits, and are responsible for their legal recognition and renewal.

The measure implements Article 86 of Law 2294 of 2023, the National Development Plan, and formalizes how administrative authorities must proceed when foundations, associations, and other nonprofit entities do not comply with basic registration and reporting obligations.

Under the proposal, entities that fail to complete registration or renewal with their local chamber of commerce, or that are deemed to have ceased operations, would lose their legal status through an administrative process led by the competent inspection and control authority.

The draft establishes that once the legal deadline for registration has expired without compliance, authorities must initiate dissolution and cancellation procedures ex officio, meaning without a request from third parties.

“Once the deadline has passed without the registration obligation being met, the competent inspection, surveillance and control authority must, ex officio, declare the dissolution and cancellation of its legal status.” — Article 86 of Law 2294 of 2023.

In practice, this framework targets Entidades Sin Ánimo de Lucro (ESAL), including foundations, associations, and other nonprofit structures that operate under Colombian commercial and civil regulations.

Registration with chambers of commerce in Colombia serves as a mechanism for legal recognition and ongoing oversight. Entities that do not renew or maintain their registration risk being classified as inactive or noncompliant under existing regulatory frameworks.

Under Colombian administrative practice, an entity may be considered inactive when it fails to renew its registration, does not report activity, or shows no evidence of ongoing operations.

The draft decree also reinforces the role of supervisory authorities such as the Superintendencia de Sociedades, which oversees compliance and enforcement in the nonprofit sector under Decree 1074 of 2015.

Once implemented, the regulation would give authorities a clearer procedural path to close inactive or noncompliant organizations, particularly those that fail to demonstrate ongoing operational activity.

The Ministry has stated that the measure will improve transparency and ensure that the public registry reflects only active legal entities operating within Colombia’s nonprofit ecosystem.

The draft is now open for public comment before moving forward in the regulatory approval process.

Above photo: The Centro de Comercio Internacional in Bogotá (Photo: Pete Angritt / Wikimedia Commons)

Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, MinCIT) has published a draft decree introducing what it calls “smart tariffs,” a proposed system that would adjust import duties based on the level of domestic production within each industrial chain.

The proposal would replace Colombia’s traditional structure of broadly applied tariff rates, which are largely shaped by World Trade Organization commitments and multiple free trade agreements,  with a more segmented approach tied to supply-chain conditions inside the country. In practice, tariff levels would vary depending on how much of each industrial chain is already supplied by domestic producers.

Colombia’s current tariff regime is relatively open by regional standards, with differentiated rates shaped by trade agreements and product classifications, but without a systematic mechanism linking duties to domestic production capacity. The proposed framework represents a change toward a more interventionist industrial policy approach, where tariffs are used not only for trade regulation but also for production steering.

The draft applies to a list of products where domestic production already exists. This includes steel, wood, plastics, metalworking, and petrochemicals. Under the proposal, higher tariff levels would apply to finished goods in sectors where Colombia has established industrial capacity and inputs essential to production chains could face reduced or zero tariffs.

For example, intermediate goods or components in industries where Colombia has limited production capacity could be exempted if they are considered essential for manufacturing export-oriented goods, particularly in textiles and apparel.

The Ministry said the framework was developed through technical discussions with industry associations and private-sector representatives, who provided input on supply-chain constraints, production bottlenecks, and competitiveness challenges across different sectors.

“Smart tariffs do not start from a uniform logic toward international trade, but from a reading of the country’s productive capacities and the needs of each value chain,” – Diana Morales Rojas, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Rising Imports and Industrial Policy Pressure

The proposal comes at a time when Colombia has seen growth in imports of manufactured goods, especially in industrial inputs and finished consumer products. Data shared by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) shows that imports of manufactured goods have remained important in Colombia’s trade balance. This reflects both domestic demand and limited local production in certain value chains.

Industry Perspective

The National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) has previously warned that any tariff redesign must balance industrial protection with cost competitiveness for downstream manufacturers that rely on imported inputs.

The organization has supported efforts to strengthen domestic production but has also cautioned that higher input costs could affect export competitiveness in sectors such as textiles, automotive components, and processed foods.

Government Position on Smart Tariffs

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Diana Marcela Morales Rojas said the measure is designed to make tariff policy more responsive to industrial realities rather than applying uniform rules across sectors.

“Smart tariffs do not start from a uniform logic toward international trade, but from a reading of the country’s productive capacities and the needs of each value chain,” said the minister.

She added that the system is intended to support sectors where industrial capacity can expand and improve access to strategic inputs used in manufacturing processes.

The draft decree has been published for public comment before moving forward in the regulatory approval process.

Above photo: Cartagena skyline viewed from the harbor. (Photo: [Pe-sa] / Wikimedia Commons

Non-resident visitor arrivals to Colombia grew 6.7% in March 2026 compared to the same month of the previous year, and the country received 1,584,378 non-resident visitors during the first quarter, according to figures from Migración Colombia processed by the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo.

In March alone, 541,720 non-resident visitors entered the country. Of that total, 419,150 were foreign non-resident visitors, representing 5.3% year-over-year growth, while the cruise segment recorded 58,186 passengers, a 41.2% increase over the same month in 2025.

For executives and investors evaluating Colombia’s tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors, the data indicate continued recovery in international arrivals and a measurable expansion of cruise traffic, two segments that directly affect hotel occupancy, retail spending in coastal cities such as Cartagena and Santa Marta, and the pipeline of inbound foreign exchange.

“Colombian tourism is going through a significant period of international expansion. Colombia is recording sustained growth in visitor arrivals while strengthening its connectivity and expanding its presence in strategic markets,” said Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Air connectivity figures

According to the Aeronáutica Civil de Colombia (Aerocivil), 4,483,077 passengers were transported on scheduled flights in February 2026, a 9.4% increase compared to the same month of the prior year. International arrivals grew 11.9% while domestic traffic increased 7.3%.

Between January and February 2026, scheduled flights moved 9,906,749 passengers, an 8.2% increase over the same period in 2025. The figures reflect ongoing expansion in commercial aviation capacity into Colombian airports, including the principal international gateways in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and Cali.

Mexico airport campaign tied to World Cup

Following Colombia’s participation as guest of honor at the Tianguis Turístico de México, the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo signed an agreement with more than 20 Mexican airports to display the country’s “Descubre la Diversidad de Colombia, El País de la Belleza” campaign during the FIFA World Cup season.

The campaign will run in terminals operated by the Mexican federal government, including airports in Mexico City, Toluca, Tulum, and Cancún. The Mexican market represents one of the larger sources of regional intra-Latin American travel and is expected to see elevated transit volumes during the World Cup, which Mexico will co-host with the United States and Canada in summer 2026.

“Colombia is positioning itself as an increasingly visible and competitive destination in international markets. These alliances allow us to expand the country’s presence in strategic global venues, increase visitor arrivals, and continue positioning tourism as an engine of economic development for the regions,” Morales Rojas said.

The ministry indicated that Colombia’s presence at the Tianguis Turístico also produced bilateral conversations on expanding air connectivity and promotional cooperation with Mexican tourism operators, though specific route announcements or carrier commitments tied to the agreement were not disclosed.

Above photo: Mexico pavilion at the 2015 ANATO Vitrina Turistica trade show in Bogotá (photo: Loren Moss)

The manufacturing sector was among the quarter’s strongest contributors, posting year-over-year growth of 2.9% and adding 0.3 percentage points to the annual variation in GDP. The sector’s performance placed it among the primary drivers of national economic output for the period.

Within manufacturing, two subsectors recorded particularly pronounced gains. Motor vehicle production expanded 27.8% year-over-year, while metallurgy grew 6.6%. Both categories function as inputs to broader industrial supply chains, and their recovery carries implications for upstream and downstream productive linkages, including employment in skilled manufacturing roles.

“What is notable about the first-quarter results is not solely the magnitude of the growth, but its composition. The performance of sectors such as motor vehicles, metallurgy, and machinery is particularly significant because it demonstrates a recovery of industrial capacities with greater effects on productive linkages, skilled employment, and economic sophistication.” — Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism of Colombia

Separate monthly data from statistical agency DANE’s índice de producción industrial (IPI) showed that real industrial output grew 3.9% in March 2026 compared to March 2025. The expansion was distributed across multiple subsectors, including motor vehicles, metallurgy, machinery and equipment, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, rubber, plastics, and non-metallic minerals, indicating that the manufacturing recovery was not concentrated in a single production category.

Wholesale and retail trade expanded 6.0% in the first quarter, reflecting increased domestic market activity and business commerce. The trade sector’s performance complemented the manufacturing gains and contributed to the overall breadth of the quarter’s expansion.

Not all sectors contributed positively. Construction contracted 5.4% compared to the first quarter of 2025, the weakest result among major economic categories for the period. Public administration, defense, social security, education, and health services grew 5.7%, and reporting by Colombian media citing DANE data indicated that public spending accounted for approximately 46% of total first-quarter growth — a concentration that introduces a structural caveat to the headline figure, as private-sector momentum remains uneven across the economy.

Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, minister of the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, addressed the composition of the results in a statement issued alongside the data release. “What is notable about the first-quarter results is not solely the magnitude of the growth, but its composition,” she said. “The recovery of manufacturing, metallurgical, and industrial production activities demonstrates a greater role for sectors associated with transformation, productive capacity, and value-added generation within the national economic dynamic. The performance of sectors such as motor vehicles, metallurgy, and machinery is particularly significant because it demonstrates a recovery of industrial capacities with greater effects on productive linkages, skilled employment, and economic sophistication. These are meaningful indicators of strengthening of the manufacturing structure and national production.”

The first-quarter data were released as Colombia continues to manage elevated monetary policy rates and fiscal pressures that have weighed on investment activity in recent quarters. The Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo indicated that the quarter’s results reflect progress on an agenda oriented toward strengthening industry, domestic production, and commercial activity, though the degree to which private-sector industrial recovery can sustain these gains independently of public spending remains a key variable for subsequent quarters.

Headline photo credit: Tecnoglass

The Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Tourism) hosted the first Foro de Reencuentro Económico CELAC–África at the Ágora Convention Center in Bogotá on March 20, 2026. The event, held as part of a broader high-level forum, aimed to strengthen commercial and investment ties between Colombia and the African continent. During the proceedings, officials identified various sectors for potential growth, including jewelry, agricultural machinery, construction materials, software, digital marketing, and food and beverages.

Minister of Trade Diana Marcela Morales Rojas stated that the forum represents a strategic shift toward trade equity and shared economic opportunities. Over the past four years, the Colombian government has sought to diversify its market reach through economic diplomacy, trade missions, and the establishment of new logistical routes to Africa. Data from 2025 indicates that these efforts have resulted in a significant increase in non-mining and non-energy exports to the continent.

“We aim for this forum to mark the beginning of a new stage: one of strategic cooperation, trade with equity, and the construction of shared opportunities.” — Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Tourism.

According to ministry figures, non-mining exports to Africa reached $296.5 million USD in 2025, representing a 112% increase compared to 2024. In terms of volume, these shipments totaled 209,273 tons, a 226.8% rise over the previous year. These goods accounted for 46.6% of Colombia’s total exports to the continent, signaling a shift toward a more diversified export basket. Key products driving this growth include coffee, bananas, machinery, paper, and apparel.

The number of Colombian firms participating in this trade has also expanded. In 2025, 165 companies exported non-mining goods to Africa with values exceeding $10,000 USD, up from 145 companies in 2024. This 15.2% growth in participating firms underscores a transition toward higher value-added exports. Vice President Francia Márquez Mina noted that the economies of Latin America and Africa are complementary, offering potential for the development of new value chains and the utilization of strategic mineral reserves necessary for the global energy transition.

A central component of the forum was a business matchmaking event held on March 17 and 18. Preliminary results from the session show expected trade operations totaling $16 million USD. Nicolás Mejía, Vice President of Exports at ProColombia, characterized the results as a validation of the current market diversification plan. Since the beginning of the current administration, the government has implemented the Estrategia África 2022–2026 to strengthen socioeconomic relations with the region.

Through commercial intelligence analysis, the Colombian government has prioritized nine specific markets for its diplomatic and economic deployment: South Africa, Angola, Mozambique, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. These nations serve as the primary focus for the continued implementation of the 2022–2026 strategy.

Above photo: MinCIT/Ricardo Báez.

The authorization by APHIS follows technical and commercial discussions between US and Colombian regulatory bodies. Minister Morales Rojas stated that the outcome enables the poultry industry to expand its presence in international markets and integrate into higher-standard value chains.

The regulatory modification is the result of collaboration between the Government of Colombia, the Instituto Colombiano Agropecuario (ICA), the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Embassy of Colombia in the United States, and the Federación Nacional de Avicultores (Fenavi), the trade association representing the poultry sector.

Six US facilities have been designated to receive the Colombian shell eggs for processing. These plants are situated in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Arkansas, and Georgia. The direct entry authorization for industrial use simplifies the logistics and required sanitary compliance for the export of the product.

Above photo: Colombia’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Diana Marcela Morales (courtesy MinCIT)

The measure, signed by President Gustavo Petro and Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, is intended to strengthen the national fashion system, stimulate job creation, and promote formalization within the sector. The measure will be in effect for a period of one year from its entry into force.

The tariff reduction applies exclusively to imports originating from countries with which Colombia does not have a current free trade agreement. The decision follows a recommendation made unanimously by the Committee on Customs, Tariff, and Foreign Trade Affairs during its 381st session on October 15, 2025.

The government says that implementation of the zero-percent tariff is a response to reported market conditions, and that although the inputs included in the ten subheadings have existing domestic production capacity, the industry is reportedly experiencing a supply deficit. This condition is attributed to global demand pressures and increased international competition, specifically citing the mass importation of final goods at reduced prices.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism (MinCIT), following technical verification visits by its National Goods Producers Registry Group, determined that Colombia’s apparent consumption of yarns is approximately 163,000 tons, of which 88% is covered by imports, with domestic production accounting for only 12%. The market for cotton yarns specifically relies on imports for two-thirds of its demand.

Minister Morales Rojas indicated that the policy is a temporary mechanism to mitigate the risk of cost transference to the domestic industry, which could potentially reduce production and impact employment. She emphasized that the textile, apparel, and footwear sectors are significant generators of formal employment, particularly for women and youth.

Between January and September 2025, Colombia registered 4,875,830 non-resident visitors, according to figures released by Migración Colombia and the Office of Economic Studies (OEE) of the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo (MinCIT).

Air traffic data from the Aeronáutica Civil indicates that 37 million passengers traveled on regular flights between January and August 2025. This volume represents a 2% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and an 18.6% increase relative to 2023.

Of the total passenger volume, 20.9 million passengers flew on domestic routes, while 16.2 million were on international routes. The 7.3% increase in international traffic over the 15.1 million recorded in 2024 reflects the expansion of the country’s air connectivity, says the ministry.

In August 2025, 4,998,176 passengers were mobilized on regular flights, including 2.8 million domestic and 2.18 million international passengers. This monthly total was a 0.1% increase from August 2024 and a 14.6% increase compared to August 2023.

Geographically, El Dorado Airport in Bogotá processed 69% of all international passengers. The primary international hubs following Bogotá were the José María Córdova International Airport in Rionegro (Medellín) and the Rafael Núñez International Airport in Cartagena.

International Visitor Composition and Source Markets

The 4.87 million non-resident visitors recorded from January to September 2025 included 3,467,026 foreign nationals, 1,191,475 Colombian residents living abroad, and 217,329 international cruise ship passengers.

While the total number of non-resident visitors showed a 4.2% reduction compared to 2024, the specific segment of foreign non-residents increased by 4.5% during the nine-month period. Foreign non-resident arrivals have accumulated a 14.8% growth relative to 2023 figures.

The US remained the largest source market, accounting for 22.7% of the total foreign visitors. Other principal source countries were Mexico (11.4%), Ecuador (7.6%), and Peru (5.2%).

In terms of arrival points, Bogotá received 38.5% of foreign non-resident visitors, followed by the departments of Antioquia (26.9%) and Bolívar (16.7%). These departments continue to concentrate the majority of international tourism activity in the nation.

The September figures indicate sustained international engagement with Colombia and the continued activity of the country’s air travel sector. The increased foreign visitor count and expanded air traffic volume correlate with regional economic activity.

Housed within the Ventanilla Única de Comercio Exterior (VUCE) single window system, the electronic application process is the result of collaboration between the Colombian government and private sector stakeholders. Access to the application is available via the following address: https://www.vuce.gov.co/servicios/certificado-de-reembolso-tributario.

Exporters seeking the CERT recognition are required to input data including their legal name, Tax Identification Number (NIT), export destination(s), and the specific tariff subheadings for goods or the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) codes for services. These and other procedural requirements are formalized under Resolution 212, dated August 25.

The CERT provides financial incentives for targeted export sectors such as pharmaceutical, food, automotive, machinery, and shipbuilding.

CERT Program Overview

The CERT, which was activated in May, is a mechanism intended to diversify and boost exports of industrial goods with higher value-added, as well as knowledge-based services. The mechanism’s stated objectives include promoting investment, production, and job creation. The CERT is scheduled to be in effect for exports executed in 2025 and 2026.

Under the CERT, exporters are reimbursed for a portion of the indirect taxes paid during the production of goods or the provision of services that are subsequently exported.

Goods that have undergone a more substantial production or transformation process are eligible for a reimbursement equivalent to 3% of the Free On Board (FOB) export value. This tier covers approximately 5,000 tariff subheadings across sectors such as pharmaceutical, food, automotive, machinery, and shipbuilding. Exports of services that incorporate technology and innovation qualify for a 2% reimbursement on the exported value. Service categories covered under the program include professional services, health services, education, and specialized maintenance.

The CERT is not applicable to exports originating from or destined for Free Zones, nor for goods and services shipped to member countries of the Andean Community—Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru—or to Venezuela.

Prior to the application’s launch, the Colombian government, in coordination with ProColombia, trade associations, and private sector representatives, completed the instrument’s activation and dissemination. This effort included training sessions conducted with associations such as the National Association of Foreign Trade (ANALDEX), the National Association of Businessmen of Colombia (ANDI), the Colombian Federation of Logistics Agents in Foreign Trade (FITAC), and the Association of Banking and Financial Institutions of Colombia (Asobancaria), engaging approximately 300 participants. The development and implementation of the CERT application also involved technical testing and support from financial market intermediaries.

Photos courtesy MinCIT