Punta Cana, Madrid, and Panama were the favorite destinations for Colombians during the first half of 2025.
The tourism sector is constantly changing, not only due to market trends but also because the preferences of the traveling community change every day.
Rio de Janeiro is a destination that continues to surprise. Photo: Angie Rodríguez - EL TIEMPO.
Recently, Despegar revealed in a report that the big revelation was Brazil, a country that registered a 90 percent increase in searches so far this year, as well as a 145 percent growth projected for the second half of the year.
The top three international destinations are Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Madrid (Spain), and Panama. Nationally, the list is led by Cartagena, the city that registered the greatest growth compared to 2024, followed by Santa Marta and Bogotá.
The company explained that between January and July, 13,870 Colombians traveled to Brazil, with average stays of between seven and ten days. Pablo Jaitman, country manager of Despegar Colombia, added that, for the second half of the year, the most visited destinations are expected to be Rio de Janeiro , with a 119 percent growth in searches compared to 2024; followed by Fortaleza (+105 percent), Foz do Iguaçu (+22 percent), and Brasilia (+20 percent).
Searches for Foz do Iguaçu have increased by 22 percent. Photo: AFP
The report also revealed that Colombians are increasingly traveling as a couple. For example, this trend was consistent in San Andrés, as in Cartagena, where 43 percent of trips were made as a couple , and in Santa Marta, where 41 percent.
On the other hand, Bogotá and Medellín account for nearly 25 percent of this type of travel , driven by their cultural, culinary, and entertainment offerings.
Internationally, Punta Cana leads with 54 percent of couples' trips, followed by Rio de Janeiro (51 percent), Cancun (47 percent) and Panama (41 percent).
According to Despegar, cultural and musical events, as well as the holiday seasons of the first half of the year, were key factors in boosting tourism.
The mid-year holidays represented another peak in tourism activity. Photo: Istock
The mid-year holidays represented another peak in tourism activity, with a 32 percent increase in searches compared to 2024 and a 60 percent increase in searches for domestic flights. This season, families were the main focus, accounting for 55 percent of demand.
ANGIE RODRÍGUEZ - LIFE TODAY EDITORIAL - @ANGS0614
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