FIEXPO Latin America: Uruguay, consolidated in MICE tourism

In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Roque Baudean, National Director of Tourism of Uruguay.

How has the experience been of participating in an event like Fiexpo, where you already have a very important track record?

The MICE product in Uruguay has been consolidated for a long time, it has very good professionals, there is a policy for attracting events, and this fair has really been very good. This year we are with several professionals from Colonia, Punta del Este and Montevideo and we will do our final evaluation. In my case specifically, we were talking about some very important congresses, including a world congress that we hope to be able to hold in the next two months, it is a congress that we have to articulate with several Uruguayan ministries of architecture. If there is something that characterizes Uruguay, it is the diversity in terms of destinations and spaces to hold events and conventions. 

What interest have you noticed in each of the destinations that are present here?

We know that both Montevideo and Punta del Este are consolidated destinations because they have great infrastructure, they are known internationally, which is the MICE product. And in fact, this year we are ranked number six in Latin America according to Icca statistics and we have been higher as well. 

Today we are presenting Colonia del Sacramento as a novelty more than anything, especially for what has to do with events. We have a bullring that was inaugurated two years ago and that has already hosted events with world-renowned artists and that has been very successful. It has adaptable infrastructure for congresses, in addition to the existing rooms. Plaza de Toros de Colonia is a place for events that can reach 4,500 people and then it also has other modalities that allow congresses with different adaptations.

That added to the fact that Uruguay has a world-class connection in everything. What has to do with the Internet is also very important today for holding events. Uruguay has a very good connection.

How is the year going for you in terms of destination promotion?

We have multiplied the country's promotional outings, participation in fairs, also carrying out activities in conjunction with the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism. Many events remain, such as the Gramado Tourism festival, but also a series of lesser-known fairs in Brazil. There are also events in Argentina and different workshops from the same airline companies, as well as conferences in Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia, of which we still have several actions. Surely in the US other concrete actions will return. There are many activities in Europe as well and we have fairs for different products, whether MICE tourism or some specific products.

Our participation calendar is very long and we are constantly generating new product outlets and promotions as we make contact and agree on actions either with the airlines themselves, with foreign tour operators, or with the Uruguayan Chamber of Tourism requires it.