According to the Domestic Expenditure in Tourism Survey (EGIT) carried out by the National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE), 7.8% of people aged 10 years and older in 24 cities and metropolitan areas carried out domestic tourism during the third quarter of 2024. This indicator shows an increase compared to the same period in 2023, when the figure was 7.0%.
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One of the highlights in the report is the positive variation recorded in the recreation and vacation category. This activity presented a growth of 35.7%, with a variation of 16.1 percentage points compared to the same quarter of 2023consolidating itself as the main reason for internal trips. In terms of accommodation, a positive variation was observed in hotels and aparthotels, with an increase of 16.7%, along with other types of accommodation, which also recorded an increase in preference.
The average number of nights spent by internal travelers was 4.3 nights, while a year ago it was 3.8 nights. lThe reasons for travel influenced the length of stays. Thus, tourists who traveled to visit relatives or friends spent an average of 6.0 nights, while those who traveled for business or professional reasons stayed 3.8 nights. In terms of accommodation, stays were longer in the homes of family or friends (5.7 nights), while tourists who stayed in hotels or aparthotels spent an average of 3.0 nights, and those who opted for other types accommodation, 2.5 nights.
Regarding the transportation used during internal trips, Air transport experienced the largest increase, with 56.6% compared to the third quarter of 2023. Public land transportation, for its part, continued to be the most used means, with a significant contribution to the positive variation in spending.
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Tourism.
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Average expense: Food and accommodation, the main items
The average expense per person who traveled within the country during the third quarter of 2024 was $158,549 per day. The main expenses were for food and drinks ($45,096), followed by accommodation ($36,182). Compared to the same period of the previous year, average spending experienced an increase of 14.9%, driven mainly by the accommodation category, which had an increase of 8.4 percentage points.
For those who traveled for business or professional reasons, andThe average expense was $266,324, being the highest of all reasons. Tourists who traveled for recreation and vacation spent an average of $186,116, while those who traveled for other reasons spent $187,460. Travelers visiting relatives or friends spent $95,828 per day, the lowest spending among the groups.
Internal Hiking: Decrease in Participation
Internal excursions, which refer to trips outside the usual environment, but without overnight stays, showed a decrease. Only 4.9% of people ages 10 and older in the 24 cities and metropolitan areas made this type of trip, which represents a drop of 2.8 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2023. The main reason for this decrease was the other reason category, which experienced a drop of 73.6%.
Regarding spending, people who went on internal excursions spent an average of $91,132 per person. The largest disbursements were on food and beverages ($45,240), followed by transportation to and from destinations, with $29,416. Average spending on hiking also showed a significant increase of 35.7% compared to the same period last year, mainly due to higher spending on food and beverages, which contributed 22.3% of the variation.
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Domestic tourism
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Why didn’t the Colombians travel?
92.1% of the people surveyed did not engage in domestic tourism during the third quarter of 2024. Although this figure reflects a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points compared to the same period in 2023, the majority of the population remains without participation in travel within the country. The main reason for this lack of activity was a lack of interest, with an increase of 13.1% compared to the same quarter of 2023.
PAULA GALEANO BALAGUERA
Portfolio Journalist
