Colombia’s tourism industry is bracing for major disruption after the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MinCIT) published a decree that imposes tougher requirements on digital platforms such as Airbnb. The measure, set to take effect on Dec. 18, 2025, has generated a wave of uncertainty over whether these companies can realistically comply with the obligations in time — or at all. As a result, the conversation across the sector has converged on one big question: Could Airbnb stop operating in Colombia?
The decree’s goal is to strengthen formalization and ensure that all hosts and tourism providers are properly registered in the country’s official tourism database, known as the National Tourism Registry (NTR). But the way the decree attempts to achieve this marks a radical shift from the current system, placing responsibility not only on hosts but also directly on the digital platforms that promote temporary lodging.
Industry associations such as the Colombian Chamber of Information Technology and Telecommunications warn that the technological and administrative load is so heavy that it could trigger a “digital blackout,” a scenario in which platforms suspend part or all of their operations because they cannot meet the new requirements on time. For thousands of Colombian families who rely on income from short-term rentals, the risk is not theoretical. It is immediate and potentially profound.
What the decree would force platforms like Airbnb to do, and why compliance is far more complex than it sounds
The new regulation does more than request host registration; it essentially turns platforms into enforcement agents. Any company — whether based in Colombia or abroad — that publishes accommodations for short stays must verify that every listing meets MinCIT’s standards before it appears online. This means Airbnb would be required to collect and authenticate a long list of host information, ensure that it matches government records, and remove any listing that fails to stay compliant.
To publish a property, the host would need to provide a valid NTR number, the legal name under which they operate, a detailed description of the accommodation, and transparent cancellation and confirmation terms. The platform would then need to confirm that this information is accurate and cross-checked with the government’s tourism database. And the responsibility doesn’t end once a listing is approved. Every six months, platforms must re-verify the information, detect duplicate postings, and ensure that nothing has changed in the property’s status.
One of the decree’s most demanding requirements is technical interoperability. Airbnb and similar platforms must create a digital connection, essentially an automated gateway, allowing their systems to communicate with the government registry in real time.
This level of integration requires customized software development, data-sharing agreements, security testing, and constant monitoring. Industry experts argue that Colombia does not yet have a fully developed or universally tested interface for the NTR that global platforms can plug into, making the decree’s deadline difficult to meet.
For foreign platforms in particular, the decree introduces an additional legal layer: They must formally document a compliance plan with MinCIT, outlining how they will conduct verifications and respond to official requests. If the platform fails to comply, MinCIT can order listings to be suspended or even penalize the platform for permitting unregistered tourism activity.
Making sense of ‘pre-verification,’ the new gateway that could shrink Colombia’s supply of short-term rentals
Under the current system, it is primarily up to hosts to register in the NTR and keep their information up to date. Enforcement has depended on audits, periodic checks, or complaints. The new decree flips this model. “Pre-verification” means that no listing can appear online until the platform first checks it, confirms its NTR status, and ensures that it complies with additional rules such as zoning laws, condominium permissions, and legally allowed uses.
In simple terms, the state wants platforms to act as filters. Before a traveler sees a room or apartment online, the platform would need to confirm that the property is fully legal and formally registered. If something is missing, whether it’s a zoning requirement or an NTR update, the platform must withhold the listing until the host corrects it. And if the host ignores the problem, the listing is never published.
This system is intended to close gaps that have allowed informal hosts to operate without oversight. But the impact could be substantial. Many informal hosts may drop out simply because they find the administrative steps too complicated or expensive. Others may not be able to meet zoning requirements if their buildings prohibit commercial hosting. Even professional hosts could face delays depending on how quickly the government resolves verification queries.
In a market where thousands of Colombians depend on seasonal hosting to supplement their income, pre-verification could significantly reduce supply. That, in turn, could raise prices in popular destinations, limit lodging options outside major cities, and shift demand to hotels or informal rentals operating off-platform.
How a potential Airbnb shutdown would affect Colombia’s economy and what’s really at stake
The stakes extend far beyond a few canceled vacations. Short-term rental platforms have become a vital component of Colombia’s tourism economy. Airbnb estimates that its operations contribute more than 10 trillion pesos (approximately US$2.6 billion) annually to national economic activity and support over 200,000 jobs across hospitality, transportation, local commerce, and services. More than 600 municipalities — many without enough hotels to accommodate growing visitor numbers — depend on short-term rentals to attract tourists.
A sudden disruption would hit multiple fronts at once. Families that rely on hosting income would face financial strain. Restaurants, tour guides, drivers, and artisans would see fewer clients. Municipalities in rural or post-conflict zones that have invested in community tourism could lose momentum, threatening long-term development plans. And the national treasury would collect less in taxes linked to tourism spending.
The broader tourism industry is also worried about Colombia’s image. If international travelers encounter fewer options, higher prices, or uncertainty over where they can stay, the country could become a less competitive destination compared to neighbors that maintain a stable short-term rental environment.
Will Airbnb actually leave Colombia? The decree does not explicitly ban the platform. But it does set deadlines and requirements that may be impossible to meet without a transitional period. Airbnb and other companies have signaled a willingness to work with the government but warn that sudden enforcement without technical readiness could force them to suspend listings temporarily.
Ultimately, what happens next depends on how MinCIT adjusts the final text, whether it offers phased implementation, and how quickly the government delivers the digital tools it asks platforms to use. The coming weeks will determine whether the decree ushers in a new, more formal tourism economy or triggers the very disruption the sector fears most.