Colombia Sees Surge in International Tourism with New Flights
Colombia is set for a record year in international tourism in 2024, fueled by new flight routes, including the entry of Emirates into the market. In 2023, the country welcomed 6.1 million international travelers, a 29% increase over the previous year. By July 2024, Colombia had already received over 3.7 million non-resident visitors, reflecting a 7.7% rise from the same period in 2023.
According to Gilberto Salcedo, vice president of tourism at ProColombia, the U.S. continues to be a major source of visitors, with Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena leading as the most popular destinations. The growth in tourism has been driven by an expansion in air connectivity. As of September, eight airlines, including Avianca, Emirates, GOL, JetBlue, JetSMART, LATAM, United Airlines, and World2Fly, have announced 18 new routes connecting Colombia to 13 countries.
One of the key highlights is Emirates’ new route from Dubai to Bogotá via Miami, a significant milestone achieved through negotiations at the Routes Americas event. Additionally, GOL has entered the Colombian market with routes from São Paulo and Buenos Aires to Bogotá.
Avianca continues to diversify its offerings, adding new flights from Bogotá to Montreal, Paris, and Chicago, and from Medellín to Santiago and São Paulo. JetBlue has also expanded its operations, launching a route from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Medellín, marking the airline’s first connection between the Caribbean and Colombia.
Colombia’s tourism strategy focuses on 13 priority markets, including the U.S., Chile, and Spain, with targeted promotional campaigns. The approach is data-driven, emphasizing global trends and demand, while also showcasing Colombia’s sustainable tourism, cultural diversity, and biodiversity.
The country’s expanding air routes and tourism strategy are setting the stage for a record-breaking year in international arrivals.
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