In 2018, it generated USD 6,618 million in foreign exchange, 12% more than in 2017, whose value was USD 5,881 million
One of the key aspects in the direct contribution of the travel and tourism industry in the global economy is tourism spending. In 2018, around USD 1,643 billion in foreign currency related to it was generated globally, 3% more than in 2017 and this figure is expected to grow by 4%, following the increase in international travelers, according to WTTC data .
According to ANATO calculations, based on the Banrep Passenger Travel and Transportation Account, in 2018 non-resident visitors in Colombia spent an average of USD 1,547 per person during their trips in the country.
Similarly, the data is close to the results of the market study "Behavior and preferences of the traveler in Colombia" conducted by ANATO with Datexco to 347 foreigners, which revealed that for solo and international trips (outside their countries of origin ) spend an average of USD1,240; when traveling as a family on an international trip, USD1,750; when traveling with friends on an international trip, about USD1,500; and when traveling as a couple on an international trip, USD1,356 .
According to the World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, in 2018, globally, the five countries that recorded the highest tourism spending were: China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and France. It should be noted that of this top, the United States is the main issuer of tourists to Colombia.
It is worth noting that according to the report on the behavior of the expenditure made by foreign visitors in Colombia of ProColombia (Purchases made with Visa card) 57% of this expense was concentrated in 6 categories: hotels, airlines, clothing, restaurants, Clinical aspects and Travel Agencies, being Bogotá (45%), Antioquia (18%) and Bolívar (12%), where more was spent.
"These figures are very important, but so is the fact that the perception that we have outside the attractions of our country and the relevance and value that Colombians are giving to travel in different places of it is increasingly improving. We must continue working, in the hands of the Travel Agencies, not only because these tourists know new destinations within our territory but also because they repeat their visit and recommend others to come, "said Paula Cortés Calle.
In relation to internal tourism, according to the DANE Internal Expenditure Survey, EGIT, in a total sample of 21.3 million people, from 24 cities and metropolitan areas in Colombia, 12% traveled within the country. The average per capita day consumption of the total number of people traveling within the country was COP 72,517 and the items with the highest expenditure were the following: food and beverages; accommodation; ground transportation (to and from destination); cultural and recreational services; souvenirs and handicrafts; among others.
Likewise, according to the same source, the average domestic tourist expenditure per capita / day according to the reason for travel is: business or professional reasons (COP 189.201); recreation-vacations (COP 82,699) and visit relatives or friends (COP 38,271).