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The most important measurement of world corporate tourism, carried out by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), ranked Colombia 32nd in hosting international events.
This meant rising two positions when compared to 2010, when it ranked 34th, and five positions when compared to 2009, when it was ranked 37th.
The measurement also revealed that, after Brazil, Argentina and Mexico, Colombia is the fourth highest country in Latin America for number of meetings held in 2011 with 113, which were held thanks to the collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, PROCOLOMBIA and strategic allies such as bureaus and associations throughout the country.
The report, which reaches over six thousand international associations that seek destinations for their meetings and conventions, included three Colombian cities. Bogota obtained the highest ranking (45th on a world level, and ninth in Latin America), followed by Cartagena (58th and 13th), and Medellin (120th and 28th, respectively).
Colombia as host for international events
The country has already been host to some important events such as the 33rd Interamerican Congress of Psychology - SIP - which took place in Medellin, the XII world conference for Global Development Network Digamos which took place in Bogota, and the XXI Congress for the Society of Transplants of Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Cartagena.
The events set for 2013 include the Cruise Conference & Trade Show of the FCCA, the most important for the cruise industry, the Routes Americas, an business event that gathers airlines, airports and tourism authorities with the attendance of 201 airlines and 128 airports.
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism, based on figures from Migración Colombia, this segment of tourism was the number three reason for travel for international tourists in 2011, and represented 7.9 percent of all of the travelers that came to the country.
In total, 124,838 international tourists were in Colombia to attend some type of event, which represented an increase of 39.5 percent when compared to the records for 2010, when 89,502 were reported.
