'The problem isn't selling, it's collecting': travel agencies face a gap of up to 60 days between payments and collections

TL;DR

Colombian travel agencies face a projected 60-day financial gap in 2026 between paying suppliers and collecting from corporate clients.
The increase in sales, driven by events like the World Cup and ANATO Tourism Showcase, is not translating into better cash availability.
Over 14,000 registered travel agencies in Colombia are affected by this liquidity pressure.
Agencies must pay airlines and hotels in advance while corporate clients have payment terms of 30-60 days.
This gap requires agencies to finance the intermediate period with their own resources or credit lines.
Tight margins are exacerbated by falling nominal revenues and rising salary costs, reducing the operational margin.
Technological solutions, such as Jeeves' Virtual Card Numbers (VCNs), are being proposed to automate payments and improve reconciliation.
The digitalization of payment flows aims to provide real-time visibility and reduce administrative burdens.
Sustainable growth for travel agencies depends on financial infrastructure that matches the speed of the tourism business.

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