This was certified with the awarding of this status in 2025, for the seventh time since 2018, by the World Travel Awards, considered the “Oscars of Tourism.” The president of the Cartagena de Indias Tourism Corporation, Liliana Rodriguez, considered the award to be confirmation of Cartagena’s vocation as a romantic destination, a consolidated segment that is becoming an important economic driver for the city.

According to Procolombia, the government agency responsible for promoting tourism in Colombia, 44 percent of foreign couples who plan to celebrate their wedding in Colombia do so in Cartagena.

The same entity estimates that each wedding ceremony generates a contribution of between $20,000 and $50,000.

In 2024, 7.5 million passengers traveled to the city by air, both domestic and international, an increase of 16.5 percent compared to 2023.

International arrivals also maintained a positive trend with 559,917 passengers, with the United States as the main source market, followed by Mexico and Canada. This is in addition to the encouraging forecasts of a growing cruise season.

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