Colombia’s hotel industry is moving fast, and the workforce tells a striking story, with total employment up to 460,000 jobs on an 8% year over year climb. Behind that growth, seasonality is reshaping turnover, while training through SENA reached 120,000 hotel workers and women make up 65% of hotel staff, especially in housekeeping. From Cartagena’s 35,000 hotel jobs to Amazon eco hotels supported by Indigenous communities, these statistics connect people, pay, and occupancy in ways that are easy to miss at a glance.
Key Takeaways
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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’s hotel sector is rebounding fast in 2023 and 2024 with rising revenue, occupancy, and new jobs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Employment22 stats
01
Hotel industry employed 450,000 direct workers in Colombia as of 2023.
02
65% of hotel staff in Colombia are women, highest in housekeeping roles.
03
Annual training programs reached 120,000 hotel workers via SENA in 2023.
04
Average hotel worker salary in Bogota was COP 1.8 million monthly in 2023.
05
25,000 new jobs created in hotel sector post-2022 recovery.
06
Cartagena hotels employ 35,000 people, 8% of city workforce.
07
Youth employment (18-28) accounts for 42% of hotel industry jobs.
08
Hotel management positions grew by 15% with 5,200 new roles in 2023.
09
Indigenous communities provide 12% of workforce in Amazon eco-hotels.
10
Turnover rate in Colombian hotels averaged 28% in 2023 due to seasonality.
11
Cali hotel sector employs 18,000 with focus on service training.
12
Foreign workers in hotels: 2.5% total, mainly in luxury chains.
13
Hotel employment growth: 8% year-over-year to 460,000 jobs.
14
Housekeeping staff: 180,000 positions nationwide 2023.
15
Front desk roles turnover: 22% in urban hotels.
16
35,000 jobs in food & beverage within hotels 2023.
17
Medellín hotels employ 28,000 workers seasonally.
18
Certified tourism guides in hotels: 15,000 employed.
19
Average tenure for hotel managers: 6.2 years.
20
San Andres workforce: 12,000 in hospitality.
21
Maintenance staff: 45,000 across Colombia hotels.
22
Part-time jobs: 120,000 in peak seasons.
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Hotel Infrastructure20 stats
01
Colombia had 8,950 registered hotels in 2023, providing over 250,000 rooms nationwide.
02
Bogota hosts 2,450 hotels with 65,000 rooms, 26% of national total as of 2023.
03
Number of 5-star hotels in Colombia increased to 85 in 2023 from 72 in 2021.
04
Cartagena's hotel room inventory grew by 5,200 rooms between 2020-2023.
05
Total bed capacity in Colombian hotels reached 450,000 beds in 2022.
06
Medellín added 1,200 new hotel rooms in 2023, focusing on upscale segments.
07
Rural tourism hotels numbered 1,200 across Colombia in 2023, with 15,000 beds.
08
Airport hotels in Colombia totaled 45 properties with 8,500 rooms in 2023.
09
Cali hotel infrastructure includes 850 establishments and 22,000 rooms as of 2023.
10
Amazon region hotels: 320 properties offering 4,500 rooms specialized in eco-lodges.
11
Number of hostels grew to 1,850 with 45,000 beds in 2023.
12
4-star hotels: 450 properties nationwide in 2023.
13
Eje Cafetero region has 950 hotels with 18,000 rooms.
14
New hotel openings: 180 in 2023 across Colombia.
15
Total rooms in luxury segment: 28,000 as of 2023.
16
Pereira hotel inventory: 420 hotels, 12,500 rooms.
17
Glamping accommodations: 450 sites with 2,500 units.
18
Business hotels near conventions: 320 with 35,000 rooms.
19
Bucaramanga hotels: 650 properties, 14,000 rooms 2023.
20
Orinoquia eco-lodges: 150 hotels, 3,200 beds.
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Investments and Future Outlook22 stats
01
Hotel FDI inflows reached USD 450 million in 2023 for new developments.
02
12 new international hotel brands entered Colombia market 2021-2023.
03
Pipeline of 15,000 hotel rooms under construction as of 2024 forecast.
04
Government incentives via Fontur allocated COP 300 billion for hotel upgrades.
05
Private equity investments in Colombian hotels: USD 200 million in 2023.
06
Sustainability investments in hotels totaled COP 150 billion in 2023.
07
Bogota hotel expansion projects worth USD 500 million planned to 2027.
08
Tech upgrades in hotels: 40% adopted PMS systems by 2023.
09
Projected hotel growth rate: 7.5% CAGR to 2028.
10
Cartagena port area hotel investments: COP 1 trillion pipeline.
11
Revenue growth forecast for 2024: 12-15% for hotel sector.
12
Occupancy rate projected to reach 65% by 2025 nationally.
13
USD 350 million in hotel capex for renovations 2023.
14
8 Marriott properties under development to 2025.
15
Hilton invested USD 120 million in two new Bogota hotels.
16
Tourism development fund: COP 500 billion for infrastructure.
17
2025 room supply growth projected at 10%.
18
Green certifications obtained by 220 hotels in 2023.
19
MICE hotel investments: USD 180 million pipeline.
20
Regional hotel chains expanded to 150 properties.
21
Digital transformation budget: COP 80 billion sector-wide.
22
Long-term outlook: 5-star room growth 18% by 2028.
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Occupancy and Performance20 stats
01
National hotel occupancy rate averaged 58.3% in 2023, up from 45% in 2022.
02
Bogota hotels achieved 62% occupancy in December 2023 peak.
03
Luxury segment occupancy reached 72% in Cartagena during 2023 high season.
04
Average occupancy for 4-star hotels nationwide was 55.4% in 2023.
05
Medellín hotel occupancy surged to 68% in events like Flower Festival 2023.
06
Eco-hotels recorded 48% average occupancy, driven by sustainable tourism.
07
San Andres island hotels hit 85% occupancy during December 2023 holidays.
08
National ADR averaged COP 350,000 in 2023 for all hotel categories.
09
RevPAR for beach hotels grew 20% to COP 280,000 in 2023.
10
Budget hotels occupancy stable at 52% despite economic pressures in 2023.
11
National average occupancy for January 2023: 52%.
12
2-star hotels occupancy: 47% average 2023.
13
Cali peak occupancy: 70% during Petronio Alvarez Festival.
14
RevPAR growth 25% in luxury Bogota hotels Q1 2023.
15
Shoulder season occupancy: 45% national average.
16
ADR for resorts: USD 220 in Caribbean coast 2023.
17
Business travel boosted occupancy to 75% in convention cities.
18
Low season (June) occupancy: 38% for budget hotels.
19
Overall RevPAR: COP 210,000 national 2023.
20
Tayrona area lodges: 82% occupancy peak 2023.
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Revenue and Economic Contribution20 stats
01
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.
02
Hotel sector contribution to Colombia's GDP reached 2.8% in 2023, supporting ancillary industries like food and transport.
03
Average daily rate (ADR) for luxury hotels in Colombia rose to USD 180 in 2023, up 12% year-over-year.
04
Revenue per available room (RevPAR) in Colombian 5-star hotels hit COP 450,000 in Q4 2023.
05
Total hotel tax revenues collected in Colombia amounted to COP 1.2 trillion in 2022 from accommodations.
06
Boutique hotels in Cartagena contributed COP 800 billion to local economy in 2023.
07
Mid-scale hotels saw revenue growth of 18% in Medellín during 2023 peak season.
08
Overall hotel industry revenue forecast for 2024 projected at COP 14.2 trillion.
09
Eco-hotels generated COP 450 billion in revenues, representing 4% of total sector in 2023.
10
Beach resort hotels in San Andres contributed 22% of departmental hotel revenues in 2023.
11
In 2023, Colombian hotels accommodated 25 million overnight stays from international tourists.
12
Domestic tourism generated COP 8.7 trillion in hotel spending in 2023.
13
3-star hotels ADR increased to COP 250,000 in major cities 2023.
14
Total RevPAR for economy hotels: COP 120,000 average in 2023.
15
Hotel VAT collections rose 22% to COP 950 billion in 2023.
16
Barranquilla hotels contributed COP 650 billion during Carnival 2023.
17
Upscale hotels in coffee region generated COP 550 billion revenues.
18
Sector revenue per employee averaged COP 28 million annually 2023.
19
Glamping sites revenues up 30% to COP 120 billion in 2023.
20
Pacific coast hotels: COP 350 billion total revenues 2023.
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Colombia Hotel Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-hotel-industry-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Colombia Hotel Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/colombia-hotel-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Colombia Hotel Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/colombia-hotel-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
19 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level