Tourism professionals are increasingly eyeing Atlanta as a promising source market for promoting Colombia as the next must-visit paradise destination.
ProColombia, the trade and investment agency of Colombia, held its annual conclave of travel industry professionals in Atlanta last week, highlighting the city’s growing airlift to Colombia and its significant niche markets, particularly among the large African American middle class.
According to Andrea Paola Rojas Charry, the Consulate General of Colombia in Atlanta, U.S. travel to Colombia saw an increase of 4 percent, reaching 1.5 million visitors in 2024.
The U.S. continues to be the largest sender of tourists to Colombia, representing approximately 21 percent of the international visitors last year, exceeding 7 million in total.
Rojas emphasized that the rising travel figures reflect more than mere statistics; they illustrate a deeper relationship between the two nations, noting that the U.S. is Colombia’s primary trading partner and source of foreign direct investment.
“These ties reflect more than just statistics; they are the result of over 200 years of trust, cooperation, and shared vision,” Rojas stated, referring to the bicentennial of diplomatic relations celebrated in 2022.
She added, “Tourism plays a crucial role in strengthening these relationships. It fuels economic growth, encourages cultural understanding, and creates new opportunities for both nations.”
Colombia, which brands itself as the “country of beauty,” is showcasing not only its stunning biodiversity but also the warmth of its people, the richness of its cuisine (not to mention its world-renowned coffee), and its diverse adventure and eco-tourism offerings.
This promotion is gaining traction as the nation sheds its historical negative perceptions associated with its violent past, leading to a cultural resurgence in the U.S.
As more travelers discover the charms of the 52-million strong country, many Atlantans have returned captivated by cities such as Bogota, the capital; Medellin, recognized for its urban transformation; Cartagena, a coastal colonial town now accessible via nonstop flights from Atlanta; and Cali, near the Pacific Coast, which is the center of the country’s vibrant Afro-Colombian community.
Various chambers of commerce, including the Atlanta Black Chambers and the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, have initiated trade missions to Colombia to explore the potential for trade and tourism.
In addition to well-known locations, marketers are also promoting lesser-known attractions, like the Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia, which are closer to Nicaragua than the Colombian mainland and are targeting a new wave of American tourists.
Colombia’s natural treasures range from the Andes mountains in the west to the Amazon rainforests in the east, making it a diverse destination for various types of travelers.
At the ProColombia forum in Atlanta, many of the country’s top 25 travel marketers engaged in one-on-one meetings with U.S. travel agents at the Hyatt Centric Hotel in Buckhead.
An academic forum on the second day brought together experts to discuss air access and current travel trends, further solidifying Colombia’s emergence as a favored tourist destination.
image source from：https://www.globalatlanta.com/colombia-targets-atlanta-as-top-tourism-market-amid-record-u-s-visitor-traffic/
