Inside ANATO 2025: Colombia’s Travel Fair of the Future

Andrea

May 15, 2025

Inside ANATO 2025: Colombia's Travel Fair of the Future

Bogotá became the beating heart of Latin American tourism once again as ANATO 2025 welcomed the world. Here’s what we saw, felt, and will never forget.

Dear Traveler, Partner, and Curious Soul,

There are some events that feel more like a living, breathing organism than a gathering — pulsing with stories, energy, and ambition. ANATO 2025, Colombia’s flagship tourism fair, was exactly that.

Held in Corferias, Bogotá, from February 26 to 28, this year’s edition wasn’t just a showcase of travel experiences — it was a declaration: Latin American tourism is rising, and Colombia is leading the way.

We were there. And now, so are you — through this story.

What is ANATO, and Why Does It Matter?

For those unfamiliar, ANATO (Asociación Colombiana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo) hosts Latin America’s most important tourism showcases every year. Since its inception in 1982, it has grown from a national trade event into a continental powerhouse, bringing together travel agencies, tour operators, airlines, hotel groups, governments, and innovators from around the globe.

Think of it as the World’s Fair for travel, but with Colombian coffee instead of popcorn, Caribbean music in the air, and meetings that shape real-world itineraries and policies.
And in 2025, ANATO wasn’t just big — it was transformational.

Opening Day: Welcome to the Future

As the doors opened on February 26, more than 40,000 attendees surged into Corferias, greeted by vibrant folkloric dancers, VR travel booths, and an atmosphere that felt more like a celebration than a conference.

Colombia, the host country, welcomed over 30 international destinations, each with dazzling pavilions: Peru with an immersive Inca Trail dome, Ecuador showcasing Galápagos biodiversity through AR displays, and Panama simulating a canal crossing experience.

This year’s Guest Country of Honor was Spain, highlighting its strong cultural ties with Latin America, and rolling out a new tourism collaboration agreement with Colombia focused on sustainable travel and heritage preservation.

But the spotlight remained squarely on Colombia — a nation redefining its identity through tourism.

🇨🇴 Colombia, in All Its Glory

Walking through the Colombia pavilion was like flipping through a living travel magazine.

Each region brought its personality to life:

Antioquia offered barista-led coffee tastings that felt like poetry in a cup.
La Guajira showcased the strength of the Wayuu community through traditional weaving and storytelling.
Amazonas created a rainforest sensory tunnel, complete with the sounds of howler monkeys and the earthy smell of damp leaves.
Valle del Cauca pulsed with salsa rhythms, inviting everyone to dance, regardless of skill or stiffness.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism unveiled a bold new campaign: “Colombia Infinita” — an invitation to see the country not just as a destination, but as a journey through infinite landscapes, cultures, and identities.

It wasn’t a slogan. It was a promise.

Connections that Matter

But ANATO isn’t just about performance and pretty booths — it’s about people shaking hands across borders.

Over the three days, more than 6,000 business meetings took place between national and international buyers and sellers. From eco-lodges in the Chocó to luxury Caribbean cruises, partnerships were forged that will impact travel itineraries and community livelihoods for years to come.

New charter flight routes were announced. Digital nomad visas gained traction. Several indigenous tourism cooperatives signed distribution deals with regional travel agencies — a milestone in decentralizing tourism income.

As a participant from a Costa Rican travel startup told us:

“In three days, I got a year’s worth of connections. And not just numbers — relationships.”

Big Themes, Bigger Questions

If ANATO 2025 had a soundtrack, it would be equal parts tradition and transformation.

Workshops and keynotes tackled major issues shaping global tourism:

Sustainable tourism: Colombia committed to making 70% of its official travel circuits eco-certified by 2028.
Digital transformation: Several tech companies showcased AI-driven booking engines and blockchain solutions for secure, decentralized travel planning.
Community tourism: Panels featured indigenous leaders speaking not as add-ons to travel, but as authors of their own tourism stories.

Perhaps the most talked-about panel was titled “Beyond Postcards: Deconstructing the Latin American Gaze” — a raw, honest discussion about the need for tourism narratives that center dignity, not exoticism.

One speaker, a young Afro-Colombian entrepreneur from Chocó, said it best:

“We’re not just the dancers on your trip. We’re the architects of your experience.”

Innovation Alley: Tech Meets Tradition

At the heart of the fair was Innovación ANATO, a curated space for startups and tech pioneers. The energy here was electric.

One standout was a Medellín-based app that lets users “tip” local street performers and vendors via QR codes — merging tourist generosity with digital ease.

Another hit: a Bogotá-based VR company that offered pre-trip virtual experiences to help neurodiverse travelers prepare emotionally for real-world adventures.

Tourism, it seems, isn’t just moving forward — it’s opening up.

Moments You Can’t Market

But beyond deals and data, ANATO 2025 was filled with moments that couldn’t be planned.

Like the spontaneous cumbia circle that broke out between delegates from Argentina, Mexico, and Brazil. Or the elderly artisan from Boyacá who, on a whim, gifted a hand-woven mochila to a passing visitor from Japan. Or the tears shed during a tribute to Colombian travel agents lost to the pandemic — and the hope carried forward in their honor.

This was not just business. This was belonging.

What ANATO 2025 Means for You

If you’re a traveler — expect more connected, conscious, and creative journeys in the months ahead. New circuits, better access to remote areas, deeper cultural immersions — and better alignment with the communities you’ll visit.

If you’re in the travel industry — ANATO 2025 just handed you a roadmap. The future is hybrid (tech + touch), sustainable, and grounded in real relationships.

And if you’re Colombian — this fair wasn’t just about tourism. It was about telling the world:

“This is our moment. Come see us — not just in postcards, but in person.”

Until Next Year…

As the lights dimmed on the final evening, a spectacular drone show lit up the Bogotá sky. The shapes of hummingbirds, emeralds, orchids, and chivas danced across the stars — symbols of Colombia’s diversity and resilience.

And as the crowd looked up, phones raised, smiles wide, one thing was clear:

ANATO 2025 didn’t just connect destinations. It connected hearts.

We can’t wait to return in 2026.

Inside ANATO 2025: Colombia’s Travel Fair of the Future