After four years, Costa Rica will once again present its strategy to attract meeting tourism to the country from November 28 to 30, during its participation in the IBTM World Fair, in Barcelona, Spain.
The fair is known as the last big event of the year for industry professionals and attracts professionals from the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment, registering in this 2023 edition a significant growth in the offer from the continent American, including Costa Rica.
“We are participating in one of the most important fairs in meeting tourism in the company of twelve Costa Rican businessmen and the Convention Bureau with the objective of establishing strategic contacts and business with more than 2,600 potential buyers. "Costa Rica is one of the most liked destinations by the MICE segment and our participation at the end of the year seeks to continue promoting the activity and thus maintain our positioning in the minds of potential decision makers as an ideal country to hold their events," mentioned Rafael Quesada, head of the advertising and research department of the ICT.
Costa Rica's last participation in the IBTM World took place in 2019, prior to the pandemic. For this occasion, there will be a 72 square meter stand and the presence of 12 Costa Rican companies.
For her part, Tatiana Orozco, executive director of the Convention Bureau, highlighted that during the three days of the fair, participating Costa Rican businessmen will hold more than 450 meetings with buyers from more than 100 countries. “This strategic approach allows us to show the most innovative offering that Costa Rica offers in the meetings, incentives and events segment,” she concluded.
A global showcase for meeting tourism
This fair provides professionals in the tourism industry with the opportunity to hold B2B meetings with international buyers, aimed at improving their perspectives and business opportunities, with the presence of more than 15,000 professionals from the sector, suppliers, and the public with high interest. in the segment.
According to the organizers, the participation of 2,236 exhibitors from more than 100 countries is recorded.
IBTM World is committed to technology in this edition to improve the experience of those attending the fair with the introduction of new tools. In the case of the academic program, sessions focused on the importance of inclusion, diversity and culture for success will be included. of n business.
According to data collected by the ICT, the meetings industry represents 22% of tourism worldwide and the participant has high purchasing power, spending 3 to 4 times more than a traditional tourist.
Participating companies: El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, Amstar DMC, Altanueva-Altatica, Costa Rica Convention Bureau, Costa Rica Convention Center, CC Beach Front Papagayo, Travel Excellence, Hotel Parador Nature Resort & Spa, Marriott Hotels Costa Rica, Cast Central América, Hotel San Bada Manuel Antonio, The Westin Reserva Conchal and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.