Colombia Records Over 20 Million International Tourists and USD 14.712 Billion in Foreign Investment in Three Years
Promoting Colombia abroad, diversifying exports, and expanding air connectivity helped consolidate it as one of the countries in Latin America with the highest growth in investment and tourism, as confirmed in recent figures that show record foreign investment in Colombia and the arrival of more than 20 million tourists in the last three years.
Record Foreign Investment in Colombia
A coordinated effort led by ProColombia, the government agency that works to promote exports, foreign investment, and tourism, has helped Colombia expand its global presence. This alignment, understood by more regions as a genuine alternative for business, is making Colombia a best practice example in how synergistic public policy can generate sustainable and inclusive growth.
“The results achieved are thanks to the efforts of the public and private sectors and the strengthening of the ecosystem in our regions,” said ProColombia’s president, Carmen Caballero. “We are connecting Colombia with the world through a strategy that has as its central axis the promotion of our people, our territories, and the sustainability of our projects,” she added.
With this strategy, the Colombian government is positioning the country as not only a leisure and business tourism destination, but also as a solid business platform for investors and exporters seeking to reach international markets. A proposal that has been key in materializing record foreign investment in Colombia, and which also seeks to support the development of these two economic activities in a balanced way throughout the different industries.
Record Foreign Investment in Colombia: Tourism Continues to Grow and Regionalize
Tourism continues to be a key activity to increase Colombia’s visibility abroad and bring dynamism to the national economy. In the last three years, more than 20 million international visitors have been received and 68 new air routes have been launched, generating more opportunities for internal and external connectivity.
Destinations such as Cabo de la Vela, the Magdalena River, or the Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) are some of the regions that have benefited the most directly from this boom, since they were disconnected from the main corridors and now have greater dynamism in the development of small businesses, the construction of hotels, and the creation of eco-friendly tourism and adventure projects. The sector is also a generator of jobs and opportunities for sustainable development, since there are already thousands of families who live off tourism.
The Colombian tourism model is also one that is increasingly focused on sustainability. Through the promotion of responsible tourism practices, the preservation of natural resources, and the active participation of local communities in tourism projects, Colombia is consolidating itself as a green destination.
The main international markets for investment and exports
The United States, Canada, Spain, Brazil, and Mexico are the main international markets for investment in Colombia. However, there has also been significant growth in investment flows from China, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Korea, and Japan.
In terms of exports, the United States, Venezuela, Peru, the Netherlands, and Brazil are the top destinations. E-commerce has also become an increasingly important channel for exports, with sales growing by more than 25% in the last year. There has also been growth in non-traditional exports such as technology services, design, and audiovisual content, with Colombia’s Orange Economy also making an important contribution to export growth.
Tourism continues to be a major driver of Colombia’s international recognition and dynamism. In the last three years, more than 20 million international visitors have been received in the country, and 68 new air routes have been opened, generating greater connectivity both internally and with the rest of the world.
Colombia participated in Expo Osaka 2025
Colombia’s Pavilion received 1.3 million visitors in three months, with a commercial projection of USD 34.6 million and 31 new investment opportunities at Expo Osaka 2025
Colombia’s participation in the Osaka Expo 2025 exhibition is another milestone that reflects international interest in the South American country. The Colombian Pavilion received 1.3 million visitors over three months and obtained commercial projections of USD 34.6 million and 31 new investment opportunities.
The team led by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism and ProColombia under the banner “Colombia, the Country of Beauty” brought together Colombians from all over the country and from different walks of life to show in Osaka what makes Colombia unique and worthy of being an ideal place to live and do business.
The pavilion stood out for the design that captured Colombia’s biodiversity and cultural diversity, and the technological advances being made in fields such as health, education, and the creative industries. The campaign won more than 25 international awards for its creative effectiveness, including a 2025 Cannes Lions award.
ProColombia’s Targets for 2025
ProColombia will aim to attract more than 7 million non-resident visitors and 150 new foreign investment projects by the end of 2025, in line with the vision to strengthen the country’s presence in international markets.
“The achievements we materialize as record foreign investment in Colombia should not be the simple result of statistics. Our greatest mission is that every one of these triumphs has its origin in and generates well-being for our regions and real opportunities for small businesses,” Caballero added.
Carmen Caballero also pointed out that Colombia’s inclusion in more and more routes by international airlines has allowed the national territory to “find connectivity, be it for business travel, in the case of investment, or leisure travel in the case of tourism, and both in domestic markets in terms of regional economic growth”.
Targeted Promotion Helps Colombia Gain Recognition
ProColombia has used both traditional and digital channels to market the country to the world, with great success and impact. Targeted campaigns in different markets have shown the best results and have placed Colombia as one of the reference countries in internationalization.
Two new routes that Colombia has been taking in recent years have to do with the direct export promotion of Colombian products and services in the territories of other countries and participation in key fairs and events that position the country as a leader in different sectors.
The opening of the Chinese market to Colombian beef and Colombian poultry in Japan in 2024 was a key moment in the growth of exports in recent years, since they are countries have more stringent requirements for food safety and quality. In other words, they were milestone projects to enter two new continents for Colombian agricultural exports, which are already consolidating the country’s reputation as a supplier of top-quality products. In other words, they were two significant milestones to be able to enter two new continents for Colombian agricultural exports, which are already consolidating Colombia’s reputation as a supplier of top-quality products.
Beyond traditional agriculture, other non-traditional Colombian exports such as processed food products, technology services, and creative content have been growing and are making a positive impact. In fact, the creative economy or Orange Economy has started to show encouraging results in sectors such as audiovisual production, music, design, and others that are also now part of the government’s promotion strategy.
Colombia is consolidating its progress in sustainable growth at the global level and is increasingly involved in markets and regions such as Asia, Europe, and North America. Record foreign investment in Colombia is growing, and the nation is making itself known as a global leader in tourism and as an important location for business.