Laureles promotes the long-stay model in Medellín

The profile of travelers arriving in Medellín has changed in the last five years. The Tourism Information System (SIT) reports that January 2016 ended with 199,277 passengers at José María Córdova International Airport, 6% more than in 2015, and that 93% of visitors are traveling for tourism. Within this flow, a segment is growing that doesn't seek fixed itineraries, but rather longer stays, often combined with remote work.
 

The charm of Laureles lies in its everyday life: the neighborhood store, the corner café, and the parks bustling with activity at any hour. While it does offer nightlife, its distinguishing feature is allowing visitors to experience a familiar and welcoming environment. This sense of normalcy is precisely what long-term travelers seek.

The Laureles district embodies this change. Its urban structure doesn't conform to the city's traditional model. Circular streets, a pedestrian-friendly scale, and a mix of uses allow you to explore the neighborhood without relying on transportation or predefined routes. Everything is within a 10-15 minute walk. This configuration translates into simple operation: there isn't a single commercial corridor, activity remains constant throughout the week, and visitors don't depend on peak tourist seasons to find something to offer.

This behavior defines the type of product that can be structured: flexible accommodation in boutique or short-term rental formats, daily consumption in independent cafes and restaurants, and frequent use of workspaces such as coworking spaces. It fits with profiles that are currently growing in the market: digital nomads, bleisure travelers, and tourists who extend their stay after a tour.

For the wholesale channel, the impact is visible in concrete variables: more nights per booking, distributed spending (not concentrated on tours), and less pressure on the daily rate. The Laureles area also functions as a fixed point. It's minutes from the El Poblado neighborhood and the city center, allowing for the structuring of offers without accommodation turnover.

“Today, Laureles caters to travelers who prioritize length of stay over long-term itineraries. It's a sector that allows for the creation of longer-lasting products with a better distribution of spending,” say stakeholders in the local tourism ecosystem.

With the possibility of obtaining packages of 7 to 21 nights, combinations of remote work and leisure, and extensions on traditional itineraries, the result is clear: less turnover and greater profitability per passenger.

Download
the official Vive Laureles guide at Medellín.travel to learn how to experience Medellín from a local and long-term perspective.

Source: Medellin Travel