Translated by Andrés Martínez Forero
Bogotá, the vibrant city of colors, continues to earn accolades in the tourism sector, thanks to a new ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). For the first time in history, the ICCA has ranked Colombia's capital among the top three destinations for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean.
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The ICCA’s report, known as the Statistics Report Country & City Rankings, evaluates the number of international meetings hosted across various global cities and countries. Leading the region this year was São Paulo, Brazil, followed by Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Bogotá securing the third spot.
Andrés Santamaría, Director of the Bogotá Tourism Institute, celebrated this achievement, attributing it to the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors, along with the citizens of Bogotá.
"This recognition reflects the combined efforts of our government, private sector, and the people of Bogotá. Being in the top three indicates that we excel in hospitality, infrastructure, and services, drawing event organizers worldwide to our city," he noted.
In 2023, Bogotá hosted 46 such events, attracting over 20,000 visitors.
Santamaría also emphasized the significance of Bogotá’s presence in global rankings as it not only promotes tourism and diversifies the economy, but also attracts foreign investment, enhances global competitiveness, and significantly boosts economic development, thereby creating more job opportunities.
Isabella Muñoz, the Executive President of Invest in Bogotá, added that “on the Americas level, the capital rose to 6th place among 396 cities, moving up three spots from 2022.”
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Andrés González, Director of Sales and Marketing at Ágora, mentioned, “We have relentlessly worked to position Bogotá as a leading destination for event planning in the region. This milestone is the long-term result of our team's efforts and our collaboration with all stakeholders committed to promoting Bogotá as a top-tier global destination.”
Lastly, María Eugenia Oriani, Meetings Tourism Manager at ProColombia, stated that the strategic collaboration has been crucial in enhancing the country's event hosting capabilities, which has propelled Bogotá from ninth to third place.
It's worth noting that Bogotá features a state-of-the-art infrastructure, including the largest exhibition district in Latin America with venues like Corferias, Agora, and Hilton Bogotá – Corferias, complemented by the warmth of its people and Colombian hospitality.
Turismo Bogotá invites professionals and event organizers to experience everything this city offers, as we continue to strive towards becoming one of the world's top destinations.
