The Sectoral Tourism Plan 2022-26 sets out the national strategy guiding tourism development in Colombia. The overall objective is to leverage tourism as a catalyst for economic development, social inclusion, environmental protection, and peacebuilding. The Plan will be measured across targets: by 2026, the goal is to reach 7.5 million international tourists, with an additional 300 000 people employed in tourism-related activities, and 500 tourism-related businesses from Tourism Territories of Peace, 12 subregions affected by armed conflict in Colombia. The main priorities to reach these targets are: economic transition and nature protection; circular economy practices; increasing and promoting community-based and ethnic tourism; fostering innovation and technology; promoting public-private partnerships; improving quality and productivity; fostering infrastructure development; and focusing on inclusivity in the tourism sector.
Linked with the Plan, the Tourism Sustainability Policy 2022-26 sets out Colombia’s approach to position the tourism sector as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic progress, protecting the environment while ensuring fair opportunities, community protection, and the preservation of cultural heritage and values. The Policy includes a focus on strengthening information management, consolidating governance, expanding investment and innovation, fostering sustainable management of natural capital, promoting sustainable travel culture, and positioning Colombia as a sustainable tourism destination.
Key programmes and initiatives aim to promote regenerative and circular tourism. They include the adoption of sustainable tourism practices, the use of long-lasting and non-toxic materials, and increasing recycling and reuse in tourism. Partnering with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, MINCIT’s plans to benefit 2 000 service providers, businesses, and tourist attractions by 2026. This includes technical and financial support to tourism businesses to boost local activities, sustainable practices and green jobs aligned with the renewable energy production model. The initiative also supports communities engaged in tourism activities, focusing on nature tourism to diversify economies based on ethnic groups knowledge and experience. Funding is provided to tourism businesses and the extended supply chain, alongside a tourism leadership programme for women and youth in sustainable tourism.
The responsible Tourism Strategy implementation programme (2022-26) includes prevention of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (CSEC), trafficking of flora and fauna, cultural heritage protection, the Clean Colombia initiative, and Responsible Tourism. The aim is to promote sustainable tourism practices that minimise the negative impact of tourism on local communities and ecosystems. The programme aims to benefit 223,000 people across the tourism ecosystem by 2026. In 2024, COP 11.1 million was allocated for the programme.
The support for community-based organisations – EMPRETUR (2022-26) aims to strengthen the organisational and business capabilities of 74 community-based organisations. This includes fostering sustainability and competitive integration through an allocation of COP 9.1 million. The programme to strengthen the productive and sustainable development of the tourism sectors at the national level will support 430 community-based organisations between 2022 and 2026. COP 21.1 million has been allocated for this programme. The Strengthening tourism in Tourist Territories of Peace initiative creates opportunities for local economies, building a culture of peace. The goal is to integrate 500 productive units into the tourist value chain between 2022 and 2026 with an allocation of COP 12.6 million. Developing a training programme to build capacity on progressive transition by tourism service providers towards new forms and sources that are conscious of the sustainable development of the sector in the long-term.
Other actions include creating a line of action to promote the welfare and dignified treatment of animals used in tourism activities and implementing a National Tourism Information System to inform decisions with reliable data in line with the National Statistical System (see box below).
