Tourist and hotel services in Colombia are booming.  While global tourism indexes showed an annual increase of 6%, Colombia grew by 10% and in just 7 years international investment in this area increased by 189%, with projected growth of $500 million USD.  This is clearly reflected in the increase in visitors to the country: in 2002 a total of 1 million visitors entered the country while in 2007 this figure rose to 2.1 million – a total increase of 110%.

Several international hotel chains such as Hilton, Sheraton, Marriot, and Holiday Inn operate in Colombia along with first-class national chains.  Hotels range from 3-stars with prices for single rooms starting at $40 USD, to 5-star hotels priced at up to $300 per night (these rates vary depending on the season and the city).  Colombia is a favorite destination for international tourism, international corporate conventions and backpackers alike.

Because of the country’s wonderfully diverse natural environments, many hotels and resorts specialize in environmental and eco-tourism, which include a variety of ecological and recreational activities, especially in the National Parks with their rivers, mountains, oceans, lakes, jungles, snowy peaks, caves, cliffs, enormous trees and waves, available for any number of audiovisual productions.

Backpackers are welcome at specialized hostels and shelters set up around the country for this type of tourism.

Restaurants throughout the country, particularly in major cities such as Bogotá, Cartagena, Cali and Medellín, are currently enjoying gastronomical success, offering all kinds of national and international cuisine.  Bogotá has become a gastronomical center and typical Colombian food from many regions has attracted international attention because of its variety, quality and originality.  Anthony Bourdain, the traveling chef whose television program airs on the Travel and Living channel, defines Colombian cooking in the following terms: “A visit to Colombia is one of those surprising experiences that can change the course of your life (...) Food in Colombia is amazing and full of incredible flavors.”