Colombia: Holy Week consolidates itself as a strategic tourist season, boosting the country's economic activity
This period is consolidating itself as a strategic tourist season, boosting the country's economic dynamics through a greater mobilization of travelers
Holy Week, besides being one of the most important religious celebrations in Colombia and the world, has become one of the country's key tourist seasons. During this time, there is a significant increase in travel, driven by both spiritual reflection and the desire to explore new destinations.
“Based on the behavior observed during Holy Week last year, ANATO estimates that a positive trend in traveler mobility will continue through 2026, with migration flows approaching 700,000 movements between arrivals and departures, representing a growth of approximately 14% compared to Holy Week 2025. Meanwhile, it is expected that more than 4 million travelers will move by land and nearly 1.9 million passengers by air, with 64% being domestic and 36% international. This would represent an approximate growth of between 3% and 4% compared to 2025,” stated Paula Cortés Calle, Executive President of ANATO.
The Holy Week season in Colombia is divided between traditional religious observances and adventure in emerging destinations. Two types of experiences stand out within the tourism offerings for this season. On one hand, there are destinations associated with religious and heritage tourism, renowned for their processions, colonial architecture, and historical significance, including Buga (Valle del Cauca), Popayán (Cauca), Mompox (Bolívar), the Las Lajas Sanctuary (Nariño), and Chiquinquirá (Boyacá).
On the other hand, there are destinations focused on nature and adventure, where travelers find unique landscapes and opportunities to disconnect, such as the Tatacoa Desert (Huila), Cabo de la Vela (La Guajira), the Tisquizoque Windows (Santander), the Cocuy Volcano (Boyacá), and the Mavecure Hills (Guainía).
The combination of these experiences demonstrates the evolution of tourism in Colombia, where religious tradition is complemented by new travel motivations, expanding the tourism offerings, strengthening the country's position as a competitive international destination, and creating an opportunity for travel agencies to revitalize their portfolios.
Source: Migration Colombia, Aerocivil, and Ministry of Transportation.