More and more cruise ships are anchoring in Santa Marta, as the Caribbean port is a good entry-point for tourists who want to visit Colombia. The city’s infrastructure is adapting well to the demand, reports el Informador.
In 2005, cruise ships started sailing again to Colombia, after a three-year absence due to the poor security situation in the Colombian city. Over the five last years, Santa Marta has seen a boom in tourism, thanks to the charm of the city, and the white sand beaches close by. The Santa Marta authorities calculate that each traveler spends approximately $60-70 dollars during their stay, a considerable boost for the local economy.
Overall, the number of foreign tourists entering Colombia increased 10.8% in the first quarter of this year. According to the Colombian Ministery of Trade, Industry and Tourism, the number of passengers brought to Colombia by cruise ships increased 16.2 % during the same period.
