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More than 300 international buyers expressed their interest on the Colombian destinations for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), which were presented in the Imex 2011 fair, the most important in the sector worldwide, which ended last Thursday in Germany.
This was affirmed by the five companies and three convention bureaus that participated in the event through the PROCOLOMBIA stand, which allowed them to sustain more than 120 business meetings with international entrepreneurs.
The PROCOLOMBIA team made presentations to entrepreneur delegations from China, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Poland, England, United States, Spain, France and Germany, who expressed their interest to make incentive trips in the country, and who were surprised by the variety of products and regions.
Likewise, there were interviews with specialized media like TW, Biz Travel, Events and ICJ.
The Medellí n Convention & Visitors Bureau reported the interest expressed by buyers from Brazil, England, Chile, Argentina and Poland, who requested information about the destination, such as basic data of the capital city of Antioquia and quotes for groups who are considering the city as the right venue for their event.
" The fair has been very important, as it has allowed us to train buyers about the destination. There is a lot of expectation about Colombia and buyers visit the stand to learn and, in this case, they asked about Medellí n&rdquo , informed Adriana Gonzá lez, from the Medellí n Convention & Visitors Bureau.
On the other hand, the Chamber of Commerce of Cali highlighted the interest of Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, Brazil, United Kingdom, United States, Indonesia and Germany, who also asked about the city as destination for incentive trips.
" They are extremely professional. Most of them have requested specific information about group quotes, although others requested general information about the destination. They want to learn more about the infrastructure supply, connectivity and options for their groups&rdquo , affirmed Marí a Eugenia Ledesma, Tourism Manager of the Chamber of Commerce of Cali.
Sara Pueherfellner, from the travel agency Promotora Neptuno, highlighted the level of the appointments achieved during the fair. " We have obtained very positive contacts and we will try to gain momentum in terms of incentives and MICE in the upcoming years. I am already busy with the fair post marketing&rdquo , she indicated.
On the other hand, Luis Gabriel Tobin from Quimbaya Tours International expressed that he has nearly five specific orders for Colombia, which will surely produce outcomes not only for the country, but for his company.
" The experience I&rsquo ve had in Germany has been very particular, especially in terms of incentive trip, meeting and convention dealings the people, opportunities and prospects have been wonderful, and I hope I can come back several times in the following years&rdquo , affirmed Rafael Maldonado Jr. from Contactos Limitada.
Clara Domí nguez Romero from Bogotá Convention Bureau highlighted the opportunity of the country capital city to present its MICE offer and indicated that she had meetings with buyers from Brazil, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, Spain and Israel, where there may be various option to nominate the capital city as the adequate venue for congress meetings.
" This is one of the most important corporate fairs we have participated in. PROCOLOMBIA is providing support and we are here promoting our city for everyone to carry out their congresses and conventions&rdquo , she stated.
PROCOLOMBIA participated at Imex 2011, together with Medellí n Convention & Visitors Bureau, Bogotá Convention Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce of Cali, Quimbaya Tours, Gema tours, Aviatur, Contactos Ltda. and Promotora Neptuno.
Imex gathers each year nearly 3,500 exhibitors from 157 countries worldwide, who are looking for new destinations for incentive trips, congresses and conventions.
Colombia has gained momentum as MICE destination worldwide. The report issued by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked the country 34 after the 95 congresses carried out in 2010, and it continues as a country that hosts international congresses in Latin America.
