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Colombia growing stronger in the Meetings & Conference Tourism

An economic impact study by ProColombia and the Mexican firm STA Consultores revealed that the meetings industry brought US $2.4 Billion to Colombian economy, equaling 22.8% of tourism’s total spillover in Colombia. In addition, this figure represented a 0.43% share of Colombia’s gross domestic product. 

Total profit generated by this industry is distributed across many layers of the population, since over 60% of spending was made in non-tourism related sectors, such as exhibit production, translation, decoration, or facility rentals.

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The equivalent of 23% of tourism's economic contribution in Colombia comes from the Meetings Industry. Business events generated 218,135 jobs and attracted 468,994 international attendees to Colombia during 2018.

Colombia in the top 30 for meetings tourism

The annual ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) revealed that Colombia is included in the top 30 countries who host international congresses. Last year, Colombia hosted 147 events, ranking 29th , above Russia, New Zealand, Chile, and South Africa, among others.

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• Colombia was ranked 29th out of 165 countries who appear on the 2018 list published by the International Congress and Convention Association. • In 2018, Colombia organized 147 events in cities such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena. • In 2018, more than 50,000 people visited Colombia to attend the events.

The 2021 ICCA Congress will be held in Cartagena, Colombia


Dubai, November 2018 - The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced that the city of Cartagena, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, will be the 2021 host for the ICCA Congress, the most important event for the global meetings industry.

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The ICCA Congress is the flagship event for the global meetings industry. Cartagena was chosen over the cities of Athens, Greece, and Rotterdam, The Netherlands, in the final selection round.

Colombia sets its sights on MICE tourism with a social purpose

Dance lessons where the profit goes to educating youth in Chocó, Colombia, event snacksthat contribute to feeding children, or handicraft sales that provide the livelihoods of local communities—these are some examples of projects that can support the meetings industry while simultaneously promoting regional development.

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This Latin American country is decidedly becoming an attractive destination for the meetings industry and is leveraging its historical juncture to invite worldwide entrepreneurs to leave their mark and become part of its process of transformation.

Events with environmental sustainability that leave a legacy

This South American country features 27 convention centers and 455 hotels with custom-designed spaces for events. It’s an attractive meetings tourism destination due to the best practices acquired to become more environmentally sustainable.  

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Colombia is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for the meetings industry, not just due to its infrastructure and the added value of its cities, but also because of its commitment to the environment and local communities.