With its stunning Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, Colombia’s natural beauty has propelled its tourism industry to new heights. As a matter of fact, last year Colombia welcomed over 5.8 million international visitors, a number never reached before. The cruise industry played an important role in this surge, contributing to the country’s success.
“Participating at important events like Seatrade Cruise Global allows us to connect with key industry stakeholders and promote our new country brand slogan, ‘Colombia The Country of Beauty,’ which seeks to highlight our nation’s unparalleled nature and allure. We also take advantage of these gatherings to show our 11 cruise ship destinations and our diverse territory, with coasts along the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, which make Colombia an ideal location for travelers to explore by water”, said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of the country.
All of this is possible thanks to the hard work carried out by the ProColombia Team to ensure that the world’s cruise industry focuses on Colombia’s great offerings: six companies are showcasing the beauty of Colombia at this year’s event at Booth 1651. These include Colombia 57 tours and travel logistics; the Cartagena tourist board; Altamar Ltda, a maritime agency; the ROZO group that supplies goods and products for vessels arriving at different ports; The port of Cartagena; and The port of Santa Marta.
It is worth noting that, during the 2022-2023 season, Colombia’s cruise industry witnessed unprecedented growth, with port calls surging by 151% and passenger arrivals skyrocketing by 346%. From iconic destinations like Cartagena, Santa Marta, and San Andrés to hidden gems like Bahía Solano, and Urabá, Colombia’s diverse attractions have captured the hearts of travelers worldwide.
And, looking ahead to the 2023-2024 season, Colombia is gearing up to welcome more than 330,000 passengers eager to explore various destinations. Exciting updates include the launch of port calls in Cartagena, Santa Marta, Cabo de la Vela, and Buenaventura, with its inaugural cruise, MS Hamburg, recently hosting nearly 400 international passengers.
Besides showing Colombia’s specialized offer to important cruise lines such as MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Group, and Virgin Voyages, among others, “At ProColombia, we are also interested in sharing with participants and travelers that Colombia is working towards strengthening a sustainable tourism industry that supports all forms of life, cultural expressions, and local communities, by offering foreigners a tourism sector that is defined by meaningful travel experiences” said Caballero.
Considering that Colombia is, indeed, the most biodiverse country per square kilometer in the world according to WWF, this nation remains determined in its commitment to sustainability across its tourism chain, including cruising. Initiatives like Cartagena’s “Port Oasis,” a green heaven teeming with over 700 animals of 70 species, underscore Colombia’s dedication to eco-friendly travel. Santa Marta’s sustainability initiatives, including community tourism experiences for cruise passengers and waste management certifications, further demonstrate the nation’s environmental responsibility.
Other destinations, such as Barranquilla, are preparing to welcome luxury river cruises by AmaWaterways on the Magdalena River, starting operations in January 2025. Projects like the Ciénaga de Mallorquín around the area, a reserve that works jointly with locals and tourists towards sustainable practices that safeguard the ecosystems and the wildlife they support, offer the potential for short-term sustainable experiences for cruise passengers.
