Colombia is living a historic moment in its tourism sector and the cruise industry is part of the reasons why the South American country is now one of the world’s trendiest destination.

As a matter of fact, this year, the cruise industry is expected to have an economic impact close to 50 million dollars. And besides contribuiting to the local economy, this time, cruise season will also be essential for showing the international travelers emerging destinations within the Colombian territory.

According to data provided by port authorities and the cruise industry, 220 calls at least 30 cruise lines from countries such as The United States, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, and Monaco are expected in Colombia in the following months. This translates to an estimated 334,000 passengers visiting the country during this season.

Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, MSC, AIDA and others are some of the prominent cruise lines that will have a significant presence during this season, which ends in June 2024.

As mentioned before, one of the highlights of the new season is the opening of cruise ship arrivals at iconic destinations like Cartagena, Santa Marta, and Buenaventura. For the first time, around 14 ships will explore these destinations, representing a significant advancement for tourism in Colombia. Additionally, Buenaventura, one of the ports in the Colombian Pacific, will receive its first expedition cruise ship from the Plantours cruise line in November 2023.

Meanwhile, efforts are being coordinated with local communities and authorities in Cabo de la Vela to initiate a plan to receive four cruise ship arrivals from Emerald Cruises, Noble Caledonia, and Hurtigruten during the first half of 2024.

"This achievement is the result of our strategy to explore and promote non-traditional destinations that are emerging as hidden gems with immense potential to captivate and enchant cruise passengers. This commitment confirms our dedication to diversification and innovation in the cruise industry, offering travelers unforgettable experiences in places that have not yet been fully discovered," added Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of th country, part of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism.

A Growing Industry

The growth of the cruise industry in Colombia is evident when comparing the last season (2022-2023) with the previous one (2021-2022). Cruise arrivals increased by 151%, while the arrival of passengers showed a remarkable 346% increase, according to ProColombia's calculations based on port records in cities and the General Maritime Directorate (Dimar).

Furthermore, in 2022, with the collaboration of ProColombia and other partners, ports in Sapzurro, Capurganá, and the Gulf of Morrosquillo were opened, where an expedition cruise ship from the Lindblad-National Geographic cruise line arrived for the first time in the second semester and continues into 2023.