Colombia is the Third Country with the Most International Events in South America

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has published its latest ranking of countries that organised the most international events in 2023, highlighting Colombia's performance. Globally, Colombia ranks 34th, establishing itself as an attractive destination for meetings and events tourism.

As for the South American ranking, Colombia is in third place, with a total of 103 events, only behind Brazil and Argentina, while in the Latin American context, it is within the top 10 countries in the region.

“We are very proud of Colombia's performance in the ICCA ranking. This recognition is the result of joint efforts between ProColombia, the National Network of Bureaus, and the promotion offices of each city, which work tirelessly to position the country and its regions as top-tier destinations for international events. We are confident that Colombia, the Country of Beauty, will continue to be a preferred destination for the meetings and events industry”, said Carmen Caballero, President of ProColombia, the promotion agency of the country.

Colombian cities have also stood out in the ICCA ranking. Bogotá ranks as the third city in Latin America, hosting a total of 46 events. Cartagena, in turn, ranks 9th regionally with 25 events. Meanwhile, Medellín occupies the 11th position in the Latin American context 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 organised by non-governmental or corporate associations, and have held more than one 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.

Colombia is trending!

The year 2023 saw a significant increase in the arrival of travelers for meetings, with over 220,000 people, 32% more than in 2022. The United States, Mexico, and Brazil are the main sources of these travelers, representing more than a third of the total. Additionally, countries such as China, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Chile, and Mexico showed notable growth in the number 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 purpose, which is 22.3% more than in the same period of 2023.

Why Colombia is an ideal destination for hosting events, meetings, and conventions?

Colombia offers multiple reasons to be chosen as an event destination:

1. International Air Connectivity: With 29 international airlines connecting 11 Colombian cities to 51 cities in 28 countries, in May the country has more than 1,300 weekly frequencies and 242,000 available seats.
    
2. Competitive Prices: According to a study by ProColombia and STA Consultores, the cost of organising an event in Colombia is considerably lower, being 60% more cost effective than in Mexico and 75% more than in the United States.
    
3. Event Infrastructure: Colombia has 27 convention centers and 455 hotels with meeting rooms, suitable for large-scale events.
    
4. Hosting Experience: The Country of Beauty 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 Laureates, among others.
    
5. Non-Traditional Venues: With 117 unconventional spaces, Colombia offers unique locations for events, ranging from public spaces to historic sites.
    
6. High-Quality Accommodations: The hotel infrastructure includes over nine thousand hotels and more than 228,900 available rooms, featuring international brands such as Accor, Hilton, and Marriott.
    
7. High-Quality Service: The friendliness and professionalism of Colombians ensure the successful development of events, with unique attention and experience in the meetings industry.
    
8. Unique Experiences: Colombia offers transformative, sustainable, and meaningful travel experiences, including but not limited to sensory activities with coffee, fruit tastings, and unique cultural events.
    
9. 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.