Glamping in Colombia: a growing trend

Glamping Entre Rios – Calarcá, Quindío (D.R.)

Glamping, a contraction of “glamour” and “camping”, is a trend that is gaining ground in Colombia’s tourism sector. This form of accommodation combines the luxury and comfort of top-of-the-range hotels with the immersive experience of nature. In response to the rapid growth of this trend, Colombia recently created a Chamber of Glamping, run by Cotelco, the country’s hotel association.

The creation of the Chamber of Glamping in Colombia is a response to the rapid evolution of this segment of the tourism industry. In April 2023, there were 202 active glampings registered with the National Tourism Registry in Colombia. The departments of Cundinamarca – Bogotá region – and Antioquia – Medellin region – have the highest number of establishments of this type.

Glamping Bosko – Guatapé, Antioquia (Photo: Sebastian Correa)

The aim of this new body is to bring together establishments classed as glampings and to build a roadmap for progress on issues such as formalisation, quality standards, sustainability and even infrastructure requirements to ensure the smooth running of these growing businesses.

Globally, glamping continues to grow in popularity thanks to a growing demand for eco-friendly tourism. This form of accommodation focuses on offering comfort and luxury in the heart of nature, without causing significant damage or alteration to the environment. There are many types of accommodation: domes, tipis, bubbles, tree houses or cabins; and they are generally built sustainably, using local materials and construction techniques that have little impact on the ecosystem.

Glamping Bajo del Cielo – Guatavita, Cundinamarca (D.R.)

The impact of social media has also fuelled the desire for unique, Instagram-worthy travel experiences. Glamping offers an opportunity for travellers to share picturesque and select moments, driving the popularity of glamping. The global glamping market is forecast to continue to grow at a CAGR of 11.69% between 2023 and 2033, compared to 8.65% between 2018 and 2022.

Glamping in Colombia offers an opportunity for unique and sustainable travel experiences, while helping to preserve the country’s natural environment, the creation of the Glamping Chamber is testament to the growing importance of this segment in the country’s tourism industry and its strong potential for the future.