CO · Expiry & renewal tracking
Don't let your National Tourism Register be suspended on 1 April
Colombian tourism service providers renew their National Tourism Register (RNT) entry each year between 1 January and 31 March (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1 of Decreto 1074 de 2015). Otherwise the register is suspended automatically and the establishments may not operate (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2).
Registration in the National Tourism Register (RNT) is a prior and mandatory requirement for tourism service providers to start operating (Article 2.2.4.1.1.1, paragraph, of Decreto 1074 de 2015), and all tourism service providers must register (Article 2.2.4.1.1.12). They include hotels, apartment hotels, hostels, tourist housing and other tourist accommodation, travel agencies, car-rental firms for domestic and international tourism, special passenger-transport companies providing tourist transport, and restaurants and bars that register voluntarily (Article 2.2.4.1.1.13). The process runs on the electronic platform of the chamber of commerce of the provider's domicile (Article 2.2.4.1.1.3), and each business establishment, branch, agency and property where the service is provided is registered separately (Article 2.2.4.1.2.2, paragraph 2).
The RNT must be renewed between 1 January and 31 March each year, whatever the date of the initial registration, unless that registration was made within the same period; the request is filed on the chamber of commerce platform by 31 March at the latest (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1). Renewal requires meeting the general requirements and the specific ones for each category, and if nothing has changed the provider simply ratifies the information in the electronic form (Articles 2.2.4.1.2.2 and 2.2.4.1.2.3). The chamber of commerce refuses to register or renew when the commercial registration (matrícula mercantil) of the provider or the establishment has not been renewed at the date of the request (Article 2.2.4.1.1.6(4)), and decides or returns the request within five days, with another five days to cure it (Article 2.2.4.1.1.5). The current certificate must be displayed in a place visible to the public at the establishment and on the website, and the RNT number must appear in advertising (Article 2.2.4.1.1.11).
When the provider does not file the renewal request within the period, the register is suspended automatically until the obligation is met; during the suspension the related tourist establishments may not operate, and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce asks the mayors' offices to close immediately and temporarily any that keep operating (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2 of Decreto 1074; Article 61, paragraphs 4 and 5, of Ley 300 de 1996). To reactivate the register the provider must apply and prove a payment to the National Tourism Fund, unless the failure to renew was due to a situation not attributable to the provider, such as the platform being unavailable (Article 2.2.4.1.3.3). If the register is not renewed for two consecutive periods, the chamber of commerce cancels the registration (Article 2.2.4.1.3.7(3)). The RNT sections of Decreto 1074 were replaced by Article 1 of Decreto 1836 de 2021.
At a glance
| Who must have it | All tourism service providers, including accommodation, travel agencies, tourist car-rental firms and special tourist transport; restaurants and bars only if they register voluntarily (Articles 2.2.4.1.1.12 and 2.2.4.1.1.13 of Decreto 1074 de 2015) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Annual (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1) |
| Deadline | 1 January to 31 March each year, whatever the date of the initial registration (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1) |
| Where | Electronic platform of the chamber of commerce of the provider's domicile (Article 2.2.4.1.1.3) |
| Prerequisite | Commercial registration of the provider and the establishment renewed at the date of the request (Article 2.2.4.1.1.6(4)) |
| If not renewed | Automatic suspension of the register; the establishments may not operate (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2) |
| Reactivation | Reactivation request and payment to the National Tourism Fund, unless the situation is not attributable to the provider (Article 2.2.4.1.3.3) |
| Two periods without renewal | Cancellation of the registration (Article 2.2.4.1.3.7(3)) |
| Display | Current certificate visible at the establishment and on the website; RNT number in advertising (Article 2.2.4.1.1.11) |
Who is responsible?
The registered tourism service provider: it must request renewal on the chamber of commerce platform by 31 March each year (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1, paragraph, of Decreto 1074 de 2015) and register separately each establishment, branch, agency and property where it provides the service (Article 2.2.4.1.2.2, paragraph 2). The chambers of commerce keep the register by delegation from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism and check the requirements before registration or renewal (Article 61 of Ley 300 de 1996).
If the deadline passes
If the renewal request is not filed within the period, the register is suspended automatically until the obligation is met; the obligation counts as met when the request is filed within the deadline, and the provider may keep operating while the chamber decides (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2 of Decreto 1074 de 2015). During the suspension the related tourist establishments may not operate, and the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce asks the district and municipal mayors' offices to close immediately and temporarily those operating with a suspended register (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2; Article 61, paragraphs 4 and 5, of Ley 300 de 1996). Reactivation requires proof of a payment to the National Tourism Fund, unless the situation is not attributable to the provider (Article 2.2.4.1.3.3; Article 61, paragraph 6, of Ley 300). Providing the service without one of the requirements for registration or renewal is an infringement (Article 71(8) of Ley 300) that the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce punishes, and it may also order cancellation of the registration for up to five years (Article 72). The chamber cancels the registration when it is not renewed for two consecutive periods (Article 2.2.4.1.3.7(3)).
Commercial registration first, then the RNT
The chamber of commerce refuses to renew the RNT if the commercial registration of the provider or its establishment has not been renewed at the date of the request (Article 2.2.4.1.1.6(4) of Decreto 1074 de 2015). Since both fall due on 31 March, renew the commercial registration early and do not leave the RNT to the last days.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each establishment, branch, agency or property registered in the RNT as a record and enter 31 March of the following year as the expiry date.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before and on the day, so the first one arrives at the end of January, when the renewal period is already open.
- Whoever handles the renewal can upload the renewed RNT certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account; then move the date on to 31 March of the next year.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the establishment manager or your accounting team; if 31 March passes without renewal, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the National Tourism Register renewed?
- Every year between 1 January and 31 March, whatever the date of the initial registration, unless that registration was made within the same period (Article 2.2.4.1.3.1 of Decreto 1074 de 2015).
- What happens if I do not renew by 31 March?
- The register is suspended automatically until you meet the obligation, and during the suspension the related tourist establishments may not operate (Article 2.2.4.1.3.2 of Decreto 1074 de 2015). To reactivate it you must apply and prove a payment to the National Tourism Fund (Article 2.2.4.1.3.3).
- What if I skip renewal two years in a row?
- The chamber of commerce cancels the registration when the provider does not renew for two consecutive periods (Article 2.2.4.1.3.7(3) of Decreto 1074 de 2015).
- Must a restaurant or bar register?
- A restaurant or bar becomes a tourist establishment when it voluntarily decides to classify itself as such and registers in the RNT (Article 2.2.4.1.4.2 of Decreto 1074 de 2015); restaurants and bars that register voluntarily are tourism service providers (Article 2.2.4.1.1.13(15)).
- Do I have to register each site?
- Yes. Providers must register separately each of their business establishments, branches, agencies and properties where they provide the service (Article 2.2.4.1.2.2, paragraph 2, of Decreto 1074 de 2015).
Sources
- Decreto 1074 de 2015, Single Regulatory Decree of the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Sector, Articles 2.2.4.1.1.1 to 2.2.4.1.4.5 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
- Ley 300 de 1996, General Tourism Law, Articles 61, 71 and 72 (Función Pública, Gestor Normativo; in Spanish)
Last checked: Oct 10, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for national Tourism Register renewal (RNT) (Colombia)
A ready template for national Tourism Register renewal (RNT) (Colombia) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each national Tourism Register renewal (RNT) (Colombia) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each national Tourism Register renewal (RNT) (Colombia) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.