The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism launches the mid-year holiday season with three experiences.
Colombia has officially opened its mid-year vacation season, one of the times when most travelers choose to explore different regions of the country. The invitation is clear: travel responsibly, respectfully, and transformatively.
Whale watching in Nuquí, Chocó. Photo: Courtesy of Fontur.
According to projections from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, sustained growth in domestic and international tourism is expected. For example, around 581,000 non-resident visitors are expected to arrive in June, a 6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. Likewise, a 7.6 percent increase in domestic air traffic and an 8 percent increase in land travel are forecast.
Regarding tourism spending, it is projected to reach $929 million , which could represent nearly $25.6 billion pesos in revenue from the tourism tax.
“Tourism transcends its economic dimension: it constitutes a path for the symbolic reconstruction of the country, an exercise in reconnecting with our plural, resilient, and profoundly beautiful identity. In its unfolding, it allows for the recognition of others, dignifies the knowledge and trades that sustain life in the territories , and transforms each trip into an experience of memory, dialogue, and peacebuilding. In the Government of Change, we conceive tourism not as an extractive or exclusionary force, but as an ethical commitment to care: a tourism that protects, integrates, and honors the diversity that we are,” affirmed the Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, Diana Marcela Morales.
Barichara, Santander, is a heritage town. Photo: Courtesy of Fontur.
From the portfolio and Fontur, this season is organized around three major experiences:
- The first is nearby getaways , which refer to destinations less than four hours from major cities. Honda, Barichara, La Mesa, and Santa Fe de Antioquia are some of them.
- Must-see destinations , on the other hand, are the classics that never go out of style. San Andrés, with its seven colors and the indigenous soul that sustains it; La Guajira, where the desert sings in Wayuunaiki; the Colombian Pacific, where jungle and sea unite and are the place where humpback whales migrate to give birth each year.
- Seasonal destinations . Colombia is entering party mode, with several regions across the country holding festivities in the coming weeks. Some options include: the Colombian Folklore Festival – Ibagué (until June 30); the National Bambuco Queen Reign – Neiva (until June 30); the National Cumbia Festival – El Banco, Magdalena (June 27–30); the Fiestas del Mar – Santa Marta (July 25–29); and the Yuruparí de Oro Festival – San José del Guaviare (July 28–31).
Birdwatching in Puerto Nariño, Amazonas. Photo: Courtesy of Fontur.
Fontur invites you to explore the country responsibly, with a love for local products , and "with the certainty that each trip can be a step toward peace, environmental justice, and shared beauty."
Special flight to Nuquí For the Patron Saint Festival in honor of the Virgin of Carmen, Satena announced a special flight to Nuquí on July 17. The schedule responds to the expected increase in air demand during this time, which coincides with religious events and the start of the peak season for humpback whale watching on the Pacific coast.
The additional flight on the Cali–Nuquí–Cali route aims to facilitate access to this region of Chocó, renowned for its biodiversity, cultural richness, and tourist attractions. “With this special operation, we reaffirm our commitment to the development of the Colombian Pacific. Nuquí is an emblematic place that combines nature, tradition, and tourism, and we want to continue being the bridge that connects communities to new opportunities,” said Major General Óscar Zuluaga Castaño, president of Satena.
Tickets are now on sale on the company's official website and through authorized sales channels.
Guaduas, Cundinamarca. Photo: Courtesy of Fontur.
ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - TRAVEL EDITORIAL - @ANGS0614
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