Cartagena is Colombia’s most visited city, attracting over 3.7 million tourists annually who come to enjoy an exotic blend of history and modernity.

However, the authorities face a significant challenge: curbing the proliferation of sexual tourism. According to the Colombian Police, several tourism-linked networks offer foreigners packages including yacht trips, parties, and companions, often involving underage individuals.

“The crime is concentrated on the involvement of minors, both boys and girls, and in the cases proven where women are forced to provide sexual services,” stated the National Police.

Consequently, intelligence operations are continuously conducted to dismantle these prostitution networks, which profit from activities that involve minors under 18, violating the laws.

Measures to Curb Sexual Tourism

Cartagena’s newly inaugurated Mayor, Dumek Turbay, issued Decree 03 of 2024, outlining a set of measures to address this issue.

Key provisions of the decree include suspending prostitution and the sale or promotion of sexual services in the Historic Center, with additional restrictions on promoting sexual activities in the area. These measures reflect the city’s ongoing efforts to combat sexual tourism and its negative impact on the community.

Feedback from Industry Associations

The Hotel and Tourism Association of Colombia (Cotelco) has also emphasized its commitment to combating human trafficking and sexual tourism.

José Andrés Duarte, the association’s president, mentioned their strategies ranging from adopting preventive measures to providing tools like the Hotel Alert Guidebook in collaboration with the Police. This initiative aims to “enable accommodation establishment staff to trigger alerts and report potential exploitation cases.”

Cotelco has also requested more control operations for informal tourism offerings, noting that hotels have more public exposure and social control mechanisms compared to private residences or apartments that might not register guests or pay taxes, making them more prone to these crimes.

Collaboration with the National Government

Collaboration with national organizations is crucial in this fight. These entities aid in identifying potential cases, supporting victims, and contributing to more effective policy development.

In late 2023, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC), the National Police, Cartagena’s administration, and the private sector implemented a successful plan with 600 specific actions to protect tourist rights and remind them of their duties.

A total of 119 orientation visits, three inspections, and interventions in five tourist zones were conducted, sensitizing over 460 visitors.

Promoting economic opportunities for local communities is another key strategy proposed by the National Government. Providing employment and economic development alternatives in Cartagena could reduce the vulnerability of certain populations to exploitation linked to sexual tourism.