Towards Tourism 5.0 in Colombia: Opportunities, Challenges and Strategic Pathways Enabled by Artificial Intelligence and 5G/6G Networks

Colombia, renowned for its biodiversity and cultural heritage, is positioning itself as a future leader in sustainable and immersive tourism under the national vision “Colombia, a global powerhouse of life.” This article examines the potential transformation of the tourism ecosystem through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with advanced 5G and emerging 6G networks. The objective of this study is to analyse the tourism landscape in Colombia, with the aim of understanding how improved connectivity could strengthen the country’s tourism ecosystem. In the first phase, a literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology, supplemented by a documentary analysis of Colombia’s legal frameworks and policy instruments. In the second phase, the research encompassed the analysis of scientific publications, technical reports, and national documents produced between 2020 and 2025. The results of this exercise are presented through analytical matrices that outline technological possibilities, regulatory frameworks, and sociocultural impacts, and identify opportunities, challenges, and strategic pathways for the implementation of Tourism 5.0 in Colombia. The main conclusions are that the transition to Tourism 5.0 requires a coordinated national roadmap that prioritises high-value use cases, promotes territorial inclusion, and leverages 5G-/6G-enabled solutions to support sustainable development in the tourism sector.