Colombia’s hotel industry is roaring back with purpose, as evidenced by a remarkable COP 12.5 trillion in revenue for 2023—a 15% surge from the previous year that signals not just a recovery, but a powerful transformation of the nation's tourism landscape.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the Colombian hotel industry generated total revenues of approximately COP 12.5 trillion, marking a 15% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- Hotel sector contribution to Colombia's GDP reached 2.8% in 2023, supporting ancillary industries like food and transport.
- Average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels in Colombia rose to USD 180 in 2023, up 12% year-over-year.
- Colombia had 8,950 registered hotels in 2023, providing over 250,000 rooms nationwide.
- Bogota hosts 2,450 hotels with 65,000 rooms, 26% of national total as of 2023.
- Number of 5-star hotels in Colombia increased to 85 in 2023 from 72 in 2021.
- National hotel occupancy rate averaged 58.3% in 2023, up from 45% in 2022.
- Bogota hotels achieved 62% occupancy in December 2023 peak.
- Luxury segment occupancy reached 72% in Cartagena during 2023 high season.
- Hotel industry employed 450,000 direct workers in Colombia as of 2023.
- 65% of hotel staff in Colombia are women, highest in housekeeping roles.
- Annual training programs reached 120,000 hotel workers via SENA in 2023.
- Hotel FDI inflows reached USD 450 million in 2023 for new developments.
- 12 new international hotel brands entered Colombia market 2021-2023.
- Pipeline of 15,000 hotel rooms under construction as of 2024 forecast.
Colombia's hotel industry saw robust revenue and occupancy growth in 2023, fueling economic recovery and expansion.
Employment
- Hotel industry employed 450,000 direct workers in Colombia as of 2023.
- 65% of hotel staff in Colombia are women, highest in housekeeping roles.
- Annual training programs reached 120,000 hotel workers via SENA in 2023.
- Average hotel worker salary in Bogota was COP 1.8 million monthly in 2023.
- 25,000 new jobs created in hotel sector post-2022 recovery.
- Cartagena hotels employ 35,000 people, 8% of city workforce.
- Youth employment (18-28) accounts for 42% of hotel industry jobs.
- Hotel management positions grew by 15% with 5,200 new roles in 2023.
- Indigenous communities provide 12% of workforce in Amazon eco-hotels.
- Turnover rate in Colombian hotels averaged 28% in 2023 due to seasonality.
- Cali hotel sector employs 18,000 with focus on service training.
- Foreign workers in hotels: 2.5% total, mainly in luxury chains.
- Hotel employment growth: 8% year-over-year to 460,000 jobs.
- Housekeeping staff: 180,000 positions nationwide 2023.
- Front desk roles turnover: 22% in urban hotels.
- 35,000 jobs in food & beverage within hotels 2023.
- Medellín hotels employ 28,000 workers seasonally.
- Certified tourism guides in hotels: 15,000 employed.
- Average tenure for hotel managers: 6.2 years.
- San Andres workforce: 12,000 in hospitality.
- Maintenance staff: 45,000 across Colombia hotels.
- Part-time jobs: 120,000 in peak seasons.
Employment Interpretation
Colombia's hotel industry is a powerful engine for national employment—particularly for women and youth—but it still runs on the temporary fuel of high turnover and seasonal demand, revealing a vibrant yet precarious foundation for its 460,000 workers.
Hotel Infrastructure
- Colombia had 8,950 registered hotels in 2023, providing over 250,000 rooms nationwide.
- Bogota hosts 2,450 hotels with 65,000 rooms, 26% of national total as of 2023.
- Number of 5-star hotels in Colombia increased to 85 in 2023 from 72 in 2021.
- Cartagena's hotel room inventory grew by 5,200 rooms between 2020-2023.
- Total bed capacity in Colombian hotels reached 450,000 beds in 2022.
- Medellín added 1,200 new hotel rooms in 2023, focusing on upscale segments.
- Rural tourism hotels numbered 1,200 across Colombia in 2023, with 15,000 beds.
- Airport hotels in Colombia totaled 45 properties with 8,500 rooms in 2023.
- Cali hotel infrastructure includes 850 establishments and 22,000 rooms as of 2023.
- Amazon region hotels: 320 properties offering 4,500 rooms specialized in eco-lodges.
- Number of hostels grew to 1,850 with 45,000 beds in 2023.
- 4-star hotels: 450 properties nationwide in 2023.
- Eje Cafetero region has 950 hotels with 18,000 rooms.
- New hotel openings: 180 in 2023 across Colombia.
- Total rooms in luxury segment: 28,000 as of 2023.
- Pereira hotel inventory: 420 hotels, 12,500 rooms.
- Glamping accommodations: 450 sites with 2,500 units.
- Business hotels near conventions: 320 with 35,000 rooms.
- Bucaramanga hotels: 650 properties, 14,000 rooms 2023.
- Orinoquia eco-lodges: 150 hotels, 3,200 beds.
Hotel Infrastructure Interpretation
Colombia's hotel industry is laying out quite the welcome mat, proving that whether you're seeking urban luxury, rural charm, or a jungle hammock, there's a bed—or 450,000 of them—waiting for you.
Investments and Future Outlook
- Hotel FDI inflows reached USD 450 million in 2023 for new developments.
- 12 new international hotel brands entered Colombia market 2021-2023.
- Pipeline of 15,000 hotel rooms under construction as of 2024 forecast.
- Government incentives via Fontur allocated COP 300 billion for hotel upgrades.
- Private equity investments in Colombian hotels: USD 200 million in 2023.
- Sustainability investments in hotels totaled COP 150 billion in 2023.
- Bogota hotel expansion projects worth USD 500 million planned to 2027.
- Tech upgrades in hotels: 40% adopted PMS systems by 2023.
- Projected hotel growth rate: 7.5% CAGR to 2028.
- Cartagena port area hotel investments: COP 1 trillion pipeline.
- Revenue growth forecast for 2024: 12-15% for hotel sector.
- Occupancy rate projected to reach 65% by 2025 nationally.
- USD 350 million in hotel capex for renovations 2023.
- 8 Marriott properties under development to 2025.
- Hilton invested USD 120 million in two new Bogota hotels.
- Tourism development fund: COP 500 billion for infrastructure.
- 2025 room supply growth projected at 10%.
- Green certifications obtained by 220 hotels in 2023.
- MICE hotel investments: USD 180 million pipeline.
- Regional hotel chains expanded to 150 properties.
- Digital transformation budget: COP 80 billion sector-wide.
- Long-term outlook: 5-star room growth 18% by 2028.
Investments and Future Outlook Interpretation
Colombia's hotel sector is building its future at a remarkable pace, backed by a flood of international investment and government support, all while wisely investing in sustainability and technology to ensure its growth is both impressive and enduring.
Occupancy and Performance
- National hotel occupancy rate averaged 58.3% in 2023, up from 45% in 2022.
- Bogota hotels achieved 62% occupancy in December 2023 peak.
- Luxury segment occupancy reached 72% in Cartagena during 2023 high season.
- Average occupancy for 4-star hotels nationwide was 55.4% in 2023.
- Medellín hotel occupancy surged to 68% in events like Flower Festival 2023.
- Eco-hotels recorded 48% average occupancy, driven by sustainable tourism.
- San Andres island hotels hit 85% occupancy during December 2023 holidays.
- National ADR averaged COP 350,000 in 2023 for all hotel categories.
- RevPAR for beach hotels grew 20% to COP 280,000 in 2023.
- Budget hotels occupancy stable at 52% despite economic pressures in 2023.
- National average occupancy for January 2023: 52%.
- 2-star hotels occupancy: 47% average 2023.
- Cali peak occupancy: 70% during Petronio Alvarez Festival.
- RevPAR growth 25% in luxury Bogota hotels Q1 2023.
- Shoulder season occupancy: 45% national average.
- ADR for resorts: USD 220 in Caribbean coast 2023.
- Business travel boosted occupancy to 75% in convention cities.
- Low season (June) occupancy: 38% for budget hotels.
- Overall RevPAR: COP 210,000 national 2023.
- Tayrona area lodges: 82% occupancy peak 2023.
Occupancy and Performance Interpretation
Colombia's hotel industry, like a well-choreographed salsa, shows everyone has their moment to shine—from budget hotels stubbornly holding their ground to luxury and beachfront properties leading a spirited recovery, yet the dance floor still has plenty of room outside peak seasons and premium postcodes.
Revenue and Economic Contribution
- In 2023, the Colombian hotel industry generated total revenues of approximately COP 12.5 trillion, marking a 15% increase from 2022 driven by post-pandemic recovery.
- Hotel sector contribution to Colombia's GDP reached 2.8% in 2023, supporting ancillary industries like food and transport.
- Average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels in Colombia rose to USD 180 in 2023, up 12% year-over-year.
- Revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Colombian 5-star hotels hit COP 450,000 in Q4 2023.
- Total hotel tax revenues collected in Colombia amounted to COP 1.2 trillion in 2022 from accommodations.
- Boutique hotels in Cartagena contributed COP 800 billion to local economy in 2023.
- Mid-scale hotels saw revenue growth of 18% in Medellín during 2023 peak season.
- Overall hotel industry revenue forecast for 2024 projected at COP 14.2 trillion.
- Eco-hotels generated COP 450 billion in revenues, representing 4% of total sector in 2023.
- Beach resort hotels in San Andres contributed 22% of departmental hotel revenues in 2023.
- In 2023, Colombian hotels accommodated 25 million overnight stays from international tourists.
- Domestic tourism generated COP 8.7 trillion in hotel spending in 2023.
- 3-star hotels ADR increased to COP 250,000 in major cities 2023.
- Total RevPAR for economy hotels: COP 120,000 average in 2023.
- Hotel VAT collections rose 22% to COP 950 billion in 2023.
- Barranquilla hotels contributed COP 650 billion during Carnival 2023.
- Upscale hotels in coffee region generated COP 550 billion revenues.
- Sector revenue per employee averaged COP 28 million annually 2023.
- Glamping sites revenues up 30% to COP 120 billion in 2023.
- Pacific coast hotels: COP 350 billion total revenues 2023.
Revenue and Economic Contribution Interpretation
The Colombian hotel industry has quite literally made itself at home again, with post-pandemic tourists and domestic travelers fueling a remarkable 15% revenue surge to COP 12.5 trillion, proving that the sector is no longer just resting but actively powering 2.8% of the nation's GDP and turning every sun-soaked beach, vibrant city, and tranquil coffee farm into a lucrative check-in.
Sources & References
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- Reference 3STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 4HOSPITALITYNEThospitalitynet.orgVisit source
- Reference 5DIANdian.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 6COLOMBIAcolombia.travelVisit source
- Reference 7PORTAFOLIOportafolio.coVisit source
- Reference 8GOBIERNOSANANDRESgobiernosanandres.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 9BOGOTAbogota.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 10CARTAGENATURISMOcartagenaturismo.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 11DNPdnp.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 12MEDELLINmedellin.gov.coVisit source
- Reference 13ACIaci.aeroVisit source
- Reference 14CALITURISMOcaliturismo.comVisit source
- Reference 15SENAsena.edu.coVisit source
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- Reference 18COLOMBIACOFFEEcolombiacoffee.travelVisit source
- Reference 19BUCARAMANGAbucaramanga.gov.coVisit source