Average tourist spending by tourists visiting Colombia in the first quarter of 2025 grew by 11%
"What was once seen as primarily short-haul, low-cost tourism has now become a longer experience with a greater economic impact," said Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of ANATO
In recent years, Colombia has seen a surge in tourism spending by visitors entering the country, which translates into the current boom our destinations are experiencing, which in turn has positioned them as attractive locations for investors.
Between January and March 2025, average spending per trip by tourists visiting Colombia reached US$1,642, 11.3% higher than the same period in 2024. The areas to which the largest budget was allocated were: food and beverages, with a 27% share; 20.2% for accommodation; 16.7% for tourist packages; 10.2% for land and water transportation; while 5.7% was allocated to souvenirs and gifts; and 5.6% to cultural and recreational services.
"This boom that Colombia has been experiencing has been driven by various initiatives such as international tourism promotion strategies, advances in destination tourism infrastructure, and the addition of more products and services in more and new places across the country, which has also opened the door to different ways of traveling," explained Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of ANATO.
This is true considering that 57.3% of tourists traveled alone; followed by 19.4% as a couple; 15.7% with family; 6.4% with friends; and 1.1% with coworkers.
In terms of overnight stays at destinations, during the first quarter of the year, tourists stayed an average of 16 nights, a figure similar to that reported for the same period in 2024. Visiting family or friends, medical treatments, and/or wellness and education/training experiences continue to be the three travel reasons for which tourists spend the most nights, with 27, 20, and 19, respectively.
For paid business or professional trips, overnight stays in the country were 12 nights, three nights more than for the same category in the same quarter of 2024; while for vacation, recreation, or leisure, tourists stayed 10.7 nights, which was one night less compared to last year.
"What was once seen primarily as short-haul, low-cost tourism has now become a more extended experience with a greater economic impact. This change also reflects a more favorable international perception of Colombia, institutional strengthening in tourism management, and the current demand for travel to diverse places that combine culture, nature, gastronomy, and well-being," the union leader said.
Source: EVI- DANE