Buenaventura Gains National Recognition in Community Tourism with Award-Winning Local Projects, Driving Growth Through Regional Culture and Sustainability in Colombia

Published on December 25, 2025

For several years, Buenaventura, a busy Colombian port city, had one reputation – its industrial significance. Yet in 2025, this began to change, and a new emphasis has since been placed upon the natural beauty and heritage of this city. The initiation of Buenaventura as a destination for community tourism took place with fanfare at the ENART 2025 national tourism event in Armenia, Quindio, with three projects of this city being recognized, while one of these projects winning a major award.

This attitude shift towards community-managed tourism represents a crucial trend that is emerging within the tourism industry of Colombia. Instead of looking towards major tourism resorts or corporations that would manage tourism development on a broader scale, the people of the region of Buenaventura are taking the initial steps towards becoming the tourism industry drivers for the country.

Agua Clara’s Win: A Milestone for Responsible Tourism in Colombia

Among the top projects was Agua Clara, a community organization from Buenaventura that earned the national award in the Community Tourism category at ENART 2025. The award recognized the community’s efforts to build tourism based on responsibility, integrating it with the local environment and traditions. For Buenaventura and Colombia, this recognition is a game-changer, signaling the power of community-led tourism that benefits locals while preserving the region’s natural beauty.

Community tourism may sound simple—locals welcoming visitors, sharing food, stories, and nature—but in reality, it requires careful planning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to sustainability. In Buenaventura, the tourism projects are driven by the people, not outside interests. This award, therefore, not only serves as a symbol of success but also builds trust among travelers, assuring them that Buenaventura is a destination where responsible tourism is at the core of every experience.

Two More Finalists from Buenaventura: Strengthening Colombia’s Tourism Vision

Buenaventura didn’t stop at one winner. Two other projects from the city, the Asociación Turística y Ambiental de San Cipriano and the Asociación de Guías y Orientadores Turísticos de Buenaventura, also made it into the top ranks at ENART 2025. These initiatives have been crucial in promoting nature-based tourism and ensuring that standards are maintained to avoid environmental damage.

San Cipriano is already well-known for its unique river activities and stunning natural beauty, drawing many travelers. The tourism association has been vital in keeping services consistent, promoting environmental responsibility, and ensuring that tourists enjoy a sustainable experience. Similarly, the guides association plays an indispensable role by providing well-trained professionals who enrich the visitor experience, ensuring safety, educating travelers on local culture, and promoting environmental consciousness.

Together, these initiatives represent the potential for Buenaventura, and by extension Colombia, to harness the power of community-driven tourism. It highlights that with the right training, leadership, and collaboration, regions outside traditional tourism hotspots can thrive as sustainable destinations.

The Growing Importance of Community Tourism in Colombia’s Economy

The shift towards community tourism is not just a local trend—it is playing a crucial role in the economic development of Colombia. Rather than relying on large, international hotel chains or resorts, community tourism spreads the benefits across local families and businesses. Tourists spend their money not just on high-end services, but on local guides, transportation, accommodation, and food, creating a more equitable distribution of the tourism revenue.

By integrating local culture and sustainable practices into tourism offerings, the people of Buenaventura ensure that their community directly benefits from growth in the sector. With agriculture, handicrafts, local restaurants, and small businesses now tied to tourism, the economic benefits are spread widely, providing jobs and ensuring that the community remains invested in protecting its natural and cultural resources. This sustainable tourism growth model is crucial for avoiding the pitfalls of mass tourism, such as environmental degradation or over-reliance on a single industry.

Public Support for Community-Led Tourism in Buenaventura

While local efforts are vital, public support from Colombia’s national and regional governments has been essential for nurturing these tourism projects. The Colombian government, through agencies like Embratur, has worked to integrate community tourism into broader national tourism strategies. By providing training, marketing resources, and infrastructure, the public sector helps ensure that these local initiatives have the tools they need to succeed.

This collaboration between the public and private sectors in Buenaventura is a model for how Colombia can support sustainable tourism. By aligning community tourism with national strategies, Colombia is reinforcing its commitment to eco-friendly tourism that provides economic opportunities while protecting the environment.

National Recognition and Looking Ahead for Buenaventura

Winning recognition at ENART 2025 is not just about receiving a trophy; it’s about gaining visibility on a national scale. For Buenaventura, this recognition brings partners, investors, and tourists to the table, making it easier for the city to attract resources, grow its tourism infrastructure, and expand its offerings. The national awards, including the Medalla al Mérito Turístico and the Premio a la Calidad Turística, create opportunities for future collaborations and more training programs aimed at improving services and preserving the integrity of the community’s tourism experience.

Looking forward, Buenaventura’s tourism industry faces the challenge of growth without losing its soul. As more visitors come to experience the region’s authentic and sustainable tourism offerings, there will be a need for clear visitor guidelines, safety protocols, and tourism management strategies to maintain the integrity of the experience. However, Buenaventura’s success story proves that community-led tourism can create a sustainable and resilient tourism economy, and it is one that Colombia can proudly showcase on the global stage.

Community-Led Tourism as the Future of Buenaventura and Colombia

Buenaventura’s recognition and integration into community tourism mark a paradigm shift in the region’s view of tourism as a whole. Not only has the city been able to provide authentic and meaningful tourist experiences that have enhanced the local economy, but it has shown that there is much more to Colombia’s Pacific coastline than what lies above the surface—incredible biodiversity and nature-based adventure waiting to be explored.

With further investment and support, Buenaventura can continue to develop as a sustainable tourist destination, enticing travelers to a destination where the tourism experience is orchestrated by the locals, with the aim of benefiting a wide range of people for an extended period.