Translated by Andrés Martínez Forero
Bogotá continues to affirm its position as the top destination for business and tourism in South America! On this Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Colombia shone at the World Travel Awards, securing multiple accolades in key categories, with the city triumphing as South America's Leading Business Travel Destination for 2024
Check out: Bogotá Ranks Among Top Three Cities for Business Tourism in Latin America
This year, Bogotá stood out among other nominated cities such as Buenos Aires, Lima, Medellín, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, further cementing its status as a favored MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) destination.
Andrés Santamaría, the director of the Bogotá Tourism Institute, celebrated this recognition, known as the “Oscars of Tourism,” awarded through an international voting system, which also covered categories like business hotels, conference centers, leading hotel suites, resorts, and green hotels, as well as tourist accommodations, attractions, and airlines.
“This is a highly valuable acknowledgment, awarded through votes from tourism professionals, the media, and the general public. It showcases Bogotá's appeal due to its hotel infrastructure, convention centers, and overall tourism offerings,” stated Santamaría.
“According to our Tourism Observatory, out of the more than 12.3 million tourists who visited the city in 2023, 26.5% came for business and work, highlighting the importance of this segment for the social and economic development of Colombia’s capital,” he added.
In this social media post from the Bogotá Mayor's Office, discover key facts about the city that reinforce its status as a leading business destination:
¡Gran reconocimiento para #Bogotá!🏆👏🏻
— Alcaldía de Bogotá (@Bogota) July 3, 2024
La ciudad fue galardonada en los @WTravelAwards como Destino de Negocios líder en #Suramérica en 2024🤩, ubicando a Bogotá por encima de ciudades como #BuenosAires, #Lima, #RioDeJaneiro y #Montevideo 🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/BOY2UnnrVm
It's noted that, in 2023, business tourism in Bogotá generated an economic impact of 2.5 trillion Colombian pesos for the city. In 2024, it positioned itself as the main business event destination in Colombia, accounting for 35% of the national market, according to ProColombia.
Globally, business events generate an annual value of $1.5 trillion dollars and create 26 million jobs, according to the UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. In Latin America, these events attract over 200 million visitors each year, according to the Latin American Federation of the Event Industry.
Moreover, El Dorado International Airport won the award for Leading Airport in South America 2024 at the World Travel Awards. It's the top airport in Ibero-America by cargo volume, the third most important in South America by passenger volume, and one of the most significant hubs in South America due to its privileged and strategic location in the middle of the American continent, facilitating connections to all continents.
Also rea: Explore the VisitBogota.co digital tourism platform
About the World Travel Awards
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards aim to recognize and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the tourism, travel, and hospitality industries. It is globally acknowledged as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.
The annual World Travel Awards gala ceremonies are significant events attended by prominent decision-makers from the industry, influencers, and the media to recognize excellence across each continent, culminating in a grand finale at the end of the year.
Other Recognitions for Bogotá
In 2024, Bogotá ranked in the top 3 best cities for MICE tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean for the first time, according to the ICCA’s Statistics Report Country & City Rankings. São Paulo (Brazil) topped the list, followed by Buenos Aires (Argentina), with Bogotá close behind.
You might also like: 'Visit Bogotá': Your Mobile Guide to Colombia’s Capital
The prominence of Bogotá in global rankings not only boosts tourism but also diversifies the city's economy, stimulates economic development, creates job opportunities for everyone, attracts foreign investment, and enhances the city’s competitiveness on a global scale.
