Medellín, capital of Colombia’s Antioquia department, has become a major destination for Venezuelan migrants, with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reporting a total of 240,278 Venezuelan migrants residing in the city. This figure represents approximately 10% of Medellín’s population, highlighting the city’s significant role in the ongoing regional migration crisis.

Elisa Carlaccini, head of the UNHCR sub-office for the northwestern region, emphasized the scale of the situation. Medellín has become an attractive destination for migrants seeking stability and new opportunities. The city is noted for fostering inclusive opportunities across all sectors of society, which has further drawn migrants looking to rebuild their lives.

Antioquia is the second-highest recipient of refugees and migrants in Colombia, with a total of 393,392 individuals. While the influx of migrants has generally been met with a welcoming attitude, there are growing concerns about the potential for xenophobic sentiments and actions to arise.

Carlaccini warned against such developments, urging the community to avoid xenophobic stereotypes and to continue offering support to those who have fled dire circumstances.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) supports this view, noting that migration can act as a driving force for development.

Colombia currently hosts the largest number of Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the world, with over 2.8 million individuals as of January 2024. This significant population influx has created both opportunities and challenges for the country, particularly in urban centers like Medellín.

In addition to the pressures of migration, Medellín’s tourism sector is facing a downturn. The number of foreign guests in the city has declined, with the hotel industry expressing concern over the potential impact on the city’s global image, particularly in light of recent reports of sexual exploitation of women and youngsters.

The Colombian Association of Tourism and Hotels (Cotelco) reported that hotel occupancy in Antioquia in May was 58%, with Medellín slightly higher at 62%. These figures represent a significant drop from last year’s occupancy rates of 66% in Antioquia and 71% in Medellín.

The tourism sector’s projections for the current season are modest, with estimates ranging from 62% to 65%, still below the previous year’s averages. Data from the Medellín Tourism Intelligence System (Situr) show a steady decrease in the number of rooms sold, from 75,121 in February to 67,184 in April this year, a notable decline from the 70,463 rooms sold in April 2023.

Experts attribute this contraction to factors such as inflation and the overall economic situation in Colombia. However, they also acknowledge that media coverage surrounding the city’s many cases of sexual exploitation involving foreigners may be damaging its image as a socially-inclusive destination, and deterring family-oriented tourism from being associated with the Colombia’s second largest city.