Bogotá, Colombia — With record figures, sustained growth and a strong message of public-private coordination, the 45th edition of the ANATO Tourism Showcase (La Vitrina Turistica de ANATO) closed Friday, reaffirming its position as Colombia’s leading professional travel trade event and one of the most significant in Latin America.

ANATO President Paula Cortés Calle led the closing press conference and announced that this year’s edition brought together 56,000 tourism professionals, representing a 4% increase compared with last year.

“This edition welcomed 56,000 industry professionals, reflecting 4% growth over the previous year,” Cortés said.

She emphasized that beyond overall attendance — as the event is strictly trade-only — the key metric is the volume of business generated. As of 2 p.m. on the final day, ANATO’s official platform had recorded 29,600 scheduled business appointments, a 13% increase over 2025.

“For us, the most important figure is the number of business meetings,” she said. “While many deals are closed outside the official system, our platform alone reached 29,600 appointments, making this the most successful showcase to date.”

Cortés underscored that the event’s success stems from its strictly professional nature. “This is not open to the general public. What we promote here, 100%, are destinations, travel agencies, tour operators and the tourism value chain,” she noted.

Public-Private Coordination Driving Growth

During her remarks, Cortés highlighted the vibrant atmosphere throughout the three-day event, with crowded aisles and active negotiations between domestic and international tourism executives.

“Tourism works both ways. Airlines need to bring foreign visitors and also carry Colombians abroad. This sector is about integration, connectivity and opportunity,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of collaboration with the National Government, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and FONTUR, noting that Colombia’s tourism growth is the result of sustained public-private coordination.

“No one can grow individually. We must work hand in hand to move tourism forward in our country,” she said.

Cortés thanked Deputy Tourism Minister Juan Sebastián Sánchez and the president of ProColombia, Carmen Cecilia Caballero, for their institutional support, as well as the organizing team led by the showcase’s executive director. She emphasized that the event continues to consolidate its standing as one of Latin America’s premier travel trade gatherings.

Colombia Travel Mart Results

Caballero presented preliminary results from the 19th edition of the Colombia Travel Mart, held alongside the ANATO showcase. With approximately 70% of projected figures accounted for, business expectations reached $65 million, an 8% increase over 2025.

The event brought together 201 international buyers from 35 countries and 217 exporting companies representing 20 Colombian departments.

Additionally, the domestic supply-chain roundtable “Colombiano compra colombiano” generated 400 business appointments, with projected transactions exceeding 6 billion Colombian pesos — a 35% increase compared with last year.

Strategic Platform for Colombia’s Tourism Industry

Deputy Minister Sánchez described tourism as a resilient sector that unites stakeholders under a shared goal: positioning Colombia as a global tourism powerhouse.

The final balance leaves a clear conclusion: the ANATO Tourism Showcase has reinforced its role as a strategic platform for commercialization, international promotion and the strengthening of tourism as a key driver of Colombia’s economic growth.