Page 28 - Special Issue Asutil Conference 2025

INSIDER

Colombia celebrates two decades of cruise tourism

In 2024, Colombia welcomed a
record 6.8 million international visitors, an
estimated 8.5% increase over the previous
year, and continues to rank as the number
one destination for U.S. travelers in South
America.
Over the past 20 years, the cruise
industry has played a transformative role in
Colombia’s growth story, driving economic
development, encouraging infrastructure
investment, and fostering cultural exchange
across the country’s coastal regions.
With its dual coastlines along the Pacific
Ocean and the Greater Caribbean Region,
Colombia offers an unparalleled variety
of cruise destinations. These range from
well-established ports like Cartagena and
Santa Marta to emerging locations such
as San Andrés, La Guajira and the Gulf of aboard, this milestone underscores emerged as a destination to watch. The
Morrosquillo. Cartagena’s status as a key player in the island has ramped up efforts to improve
Caribbean cruise circuit and sets the stage visitor experiences through sustainability
Decades of growth for ongoing collaboration through 2026. initiatives, cultural programming, and new
From Cartagena, Santa Marta and AmaWaterways began its first luxury partnerships with airlines, resulting in
San Andrés, in the Greater Colombian river cruise operations on the Magdalena hotel occupancy rates above the national
Caribbean, to Bahía Solano in the River, making Colombia home to the first- average. San Andrés also offers the unique
Pacific Region, Colombia has steadily ever luxury river cruise in South America. Raizal culture, almost forty world-class
built a compelling value proposition AmaWaterways officially launched scuba diving sites, and stunning beaches.
for international cruise lines. In 2024 AmaMagdalena on April 12, 2025. Together with the neighboring
alone, 38 cruise lines called at 11 ports, The two immersive seven-night islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina,
strengthening maritime connectivity and itineraries, Magic of Colombia and San Andrés forms part of the Seaflower
showcasing Colombia’s versatility as a Wonders of Colombia, sail between Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated
cruise destination. Cartagena and Barranquilla and site that encompasses not only the
The country’s dedication to the cruise include unique cultural highlights archipelago but also 10% of the Caribbean
industry is reflected not only in rising such as a private celebration of Sea—over 300,000 square kilometers of
port calls, but in its continued investment the world-famous Barranquilla protected marine richness.
in sustainable tourism, local community Carnival, a guided heritage tour and This blend of natural beauty, cultural
engagement, and port infrastructure. exclusive jazz performance in the identity, and ecological significance
UNESCO-designated city of Mompox, positions San Andrés as a rising star in
2025: new arrivals and historic firsts birdwatching of rare endemic species Colombia’s cruise tourism landscape.
At this year’s Seatrade Cruise and a musical and historical exploration “With an eye on sustainability, cultural
Global event in Miami in April, Colombia of Palenque—the first free town in the immersion, and long-term partnerships,
highlighted a slew of new developments. Americas. AmaWaterways will launch Colombia is cruising into a future full of
Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady made its AmaMelodia, its second ship on the promise,” said Carmen Caballero, President
historic first arrival in Cartagena in January Magdalena River, later this year. of ProColombia, the promotion agency of
2025, marking the company’s debut in Meanwhile, San Andrés Islands, in the country.
Colombia. With nearly 2,500 passengers the Greater Colombian Caribbean, has

AmaWaterways launched its first luxury river
cruise ship on Colombia’s Magdalena River in
April.

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