Costa Rica is presented at IMEX In Frankfurt promoting attractions for the MICE segment

After two years of suspension due to the pandemic, Costa Rica resumes its face-to-face participation in IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, considered the most important trade fair specialized in meeting tourism on the planet.

With the presence of eleven companies from the tourism sector specialized in the MICE segment, dedicated to meetings, incentives, congresses and events (according to the acronym in English), our country will show the most outstanding range of products and services from yesterday and until June 2 in the aforementioned German city, headquarters of this global space for negotiations. According to data from the organizers, this edition of IMEX in Frankfurt has the presence of representatives from 100 countries and a total of 2,800 specialized buyers registered for the event.

“We are participating in IMEX, in a global fair specialized in including congresses, events, incentives and with the presence of private sector companies with extensive experience in this segment such as hotels and DMC's. We hope that Costa Rica will be able to host future events in the medium term, especially due to the presence of the most important incentive houses in Europe and the United States,” said Carolina Trejos, ICT Marketing Director.

For his part, Dennis Witherlaw, President of the Costa Rica Convention Bureau, expressed that the presence of our country in one of the most important fairs in the world in the MICE segment is relevant for the reactivation of tourism and the economy, due to the generation of direct and indirect jobs, as well as the multiple linkages generated by the confirmation of international congresses and events in Costa Rica.

IMEX in Frankfurt reactivates strategy
For the ICT marketing area, participation in IMEX in Frankfurt is part of the strategic actions to reinforce Costa Rica's position as an excellent alternative for the organization of meetings, events, congresses and incentives within the framework of this new normal and in the context of the gradual recovery of all segments of the tourism industry.

The country stands out as a destination for meetings and incentives due to air connections, a strategic location, unforgettable experiences, quality service and a robust health system. Added to this is the excellent tourist platform and infrastructure for holding events, as well as a high educational level, the diversity of activities that can be carried out in the destination and sustainability, as a transversal axis of the tourism development model.

The strategy of promotion and complementary actions for the development of meeting tourism remains in force. According to data collected by the ICT, the meeting industry represents 22% of tourism worldwide and the participant has high purchasing power, spending 3 to 4 times more than a traditional tourist.

As part of the efforts of the meeting tourism strategy, an annual action plan is carried out, which includes: an advertising plan in the main specialized media of the meeting tourism industry, specifically in the markets of the United States, Canada, Latin America and the United Kingdom.

Joining the above is the participation of world-renowned specialized events, among which IMEX in Frankfurt (Germany) stands out, as well as IMEX America (Las Vegas) and Fiexpo Latin America that will take place in Panama, (the above from 2022 and 2024 ), among others.

At the same time, in alliance with the Convention Bureau, other actions are carried out, such as inspection trips for the specialized press with potential buyers, training programs, as well as support in the process and presentation of candidacies of the associative segment, where Costa Rica has the opportunity to apply as a venue in the processes that have not yet closed the selection of the next destination.

The foregoing with the support of the ambassadors program, which is an active group of 120 national professionals, specialized in different ones that belong to international entities.

Finally, Carina Bauer, CEO of the IMEX Group explained at the opening ceremony that this week IMEX in Frankfurt represents a microcosm of the global market and will be at the heart of the revival of the meeting tourism industry. “We are in the early stages of rebuilding our sector, but we have every reason to be confident. During these days we will host partners, buyers and suppliers from all over the planet. The agreements that are negotiated here will become directly the creation of jobs, the professional development of a growing industry and in turn, helping to generate a positive impact in the entire world”.