Tourism to Colombia grew 1.8% in 2012, lagging behind the regional trend that showed a 4.2% increase of tourism to South America, according to the country’s Vice-Ministry of Tourism.
The staggering growth in foreign visits is mainly due to a 19% drop in arrivals from cruise ships to the country’s Caribbean coast. Foreign arrivals counted at Colombia’s international airports grew 6.3% compared to 2011.
Colombia’s tourism growth
The 1.8% growth is the lowest since 2008 when tourism to Colombia grew 2.2%.
Tourism to Colombia has grown approximately 300% over the past decade as an increased security situation in cities and destinations important for tourism drastically improved their security situation.
FACT SHEET: Colombia tourism statistics