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Colombia will seek to be the host of at least 19 international medical congresses to be held in the coming two years, hence the Colombian Association of Scientific Associations (ACSC), which met with PROCOLOMBIA in Cartagena, had the chance to get a first-hand look at the advantages and opportunities offered by the country on the subject.
PROCOLOMBIA conducted the presentation before 25 Presidents of National Scientific Associations as part of the country positioning strategy as a destination for congresses and conventions, during an event in joint efforts with the Convention Bureau of Cartagena de Indias (CICAVB) during the third ACSC inspection trip.
" We are now working hand in hand at the field&rsquo s entire bureau and association levels of the country to capture more events and congresses to position Colombia in the world scene of corporate tourism destinations. Furthermore, during the inspection trips we were able to appreciate the support from PROCOLOMBIA and the National Government in the capturing, promotion and realization of these events, which ratify Colombia as a world-class country,&rdquo
Of the 19 international congresses foreseen for the next few years, four will be Latin American and four will be Worldwide. Cartagena, Medellin, Cali and Bogotá are the cities that would host these events.
" Undoubtedly, Cartagena has become the host city of medical and scientific events in Colombia, and the world. We think that almost 15 Latin American congresses are going to take place in La Heroica (The Heroic City) or any other city in the country. In addition, the city has been nominated for four world congresses like: Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, Diabetes, among others,&rdquo said Rodrigo Cordoba Rojas, president of the Colombian Association of Scientific Associations.
Hotels were visited during the activity and meetings were held with operators and the second business matchmaking forum took place between the presidents of the associations and the members of the Cartagena Conventions Bureau.
One of Colombia&rsquo s most important advancements in attracting new events has been the progress in the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ranking, going from place 50 with 23 validated congresses in 2006, to number 34 with 95 congresses in 2010.
For every congress to be accepted by the International Congress and Conventions Association, it must fulfill three minimum parameters: at least 50 international participants to be at least the third version or edition of the event, and finally to change country every time it is held.
PROCOLOMBIA&rsquo s commitment is to continue working with the bureaus and Chambers of Commerce that represent the various cities and with the national associations interested in nominating Colombia as the host country for international congresses.
Bogota was ranked number 47 in the world, followed by Cartagena in number 59, Medellin in 129 and finally Cali in 309, making this its first appearance on the list.
Other cities that captured congress and convention tourism and climbed up the classification were Santa Marta, San André s and the regions of Santander and the Coffee Triangle, among other destinations equipped with the best technology and infrastructure to host important, world class congresses and conventions.
For further information on capturing international congresses and the convention tourism sector, please visit: http://www.colombia.travel/es/congresos-incentivos
