The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has published its most recent ranking of the countries that organized the most international events in 2023, highlighting the notable performance of Colombia. Worldwide, the country ranks 34th, consolidating itself as an attractive destination for meetings and events tourism.
In the South American ranking, Colombia is positioned in third place, with a total of 103 events, only behind Brazil and Argentina, while in the Latin American context, it is located within the top 10 countries in the region.
Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia, expressed: “we are very proud of Colombia's performance in the ICCA ranking. This recognition is the result of the joint effort between ProColombia, the National Bureaux Network and the promotion offices of each city, which work tirelessly to position the country and its regions as top-level destinations for international events. We are sure that Colombia, the Country of Beauty, will continue to be a preferred destination for the meetings and events industry.”
Colombian cities have also stood out in the ICCA ranking. Bogotá is positioned as the third city in Latin America, hosting a total of 46 events. Cartagena, for its part, is ranked 9th at the regional level with 25 events. Meanwhile, Medellín occupies position 11 in Latin America with a total of 15 events.
To be considered in the ICCA ranking, events must meet specific criteria: have more than 50 attendees, rotate between at least three countries, have a defined periodicity, be organized by non-governmental or corporate associations, and have held more than one event. edition, with the third edition confirmed.
These criteria ensure that the events included in the ranking have a significant impact and international relevance. It is important to note that many more events are held in Colombia than those recorded by ICCA, but only those that meet these strict requirements are included in the ranking.
Increase in the arrival of travelers
2023 saw a significant increase in the arrival of travelers for meeting purposes, with more than 220 thousand people, 32% more than in 2022. The United States, Mexico and Brazil are the main emitters of these travelers, representing more than a third of the total. In addition, countries such as China, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile and Mexico showed notable growth in the issuance of travelers to Colombia.
The most visited cities for meetings are Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, Cali and Barranquilla. Meanwhile, in the first two months of 2024, more than 36,900 foreign visitors have arrived for this reason, that is, 22.3% more than in the same period of 2023.
Competitive advantages of Colombia
Colombia offers multiple reasons to be chosen as an event destination:
International air connectivity: with 29 international airlines connecting 11 Colombian cities with 51 cities in 28 countries, in May the country has more than 1,300 weekly frequencies and 242 thousand available seats.
Competitive prices: according to a study by ProColombia and STA Consultores, the cost of organizing an event in Colombia is considerably lower, being 60% cheaper than in Mexico and 75% cheaper than in the United States.
Infrastructure for events: Colombia has 27 convention centers and 455 hotels with meeting rooms, suitable for large events.
Hosting experience: the country has hosted important international events such as the General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization, One Young World and the World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, among others.
Non-traditional venues: with 117 non-conventional spaces, Colombia offers unique places to hold events, from public spaces to historical sites.
High-quality accommodation: the hotel infrastructure includes more than nine thousand hotels and an availability of more than 228,900 rooms, with the presence of international brands such as Accor, Hilton and Marriott.
High quality service: the kindness and professionalism of Colombians ensure the successful development of events, with unique attention and experience in the meetings industry.
Unique experiences: Colombia offers transformative and original activities, such as sensory experiences with coffee, fruit tastings and unique cultural events.
Investment destination: Colombia stands out for its ability to attract foreign direct investment. There are key sectors such as agribusiness, technology, tourism, manufacturing and services, among others, that offer a wide range of opportunities for international investors.