More and more Colombians plan their vacations and choose to carry out tourist activities in the interior of the country, which also translates into economic growth and development. In 2023, around 1.75 million people carried out domestic tourism, that is, 25% more than the 1.4 million in 2022. However, this figure means 18% less when compared to 2019, when 2 .1 million. According to the Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies, ANATO, they have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.
“It is clear that there was an improvement in domestic tourism, if compared to the results of the previous year, but to reach the rates that we had in the pre-pandemic, it is essential to continue adding efforts, hand in hand with the National Government, with actions previously carried out. , such as the reduction of VAT on tickets and the exemption of this tax on hotel and tourism services,” said Paula Cortés Calle, executive president of ANATO.
It should be noted that the average daily expense in 2023 was COP $130,744, that is, 18% more than the COP $110,698 in 2022. However, in relation to the average number of overnight stays, it went from 4.5 nights in 2022 to 4 .2 in 2023. “This result is not positive, taking into account that if the average daily expense increased, it is due to an increase in costs that reduces travel time, and not due to an increase in total expense during the trip,” he explained. the union leader.
And he added, “Although according to the type of transportation that Colombians use, air has a 15% share; the private land, 53%; and public land, 27%, there are some aspects in which work must continue, such as road infrastructure and security in the regions.”