In 2009, Lisbon moved up two slots in the world’s top ten cities for hosting international association meetings – rising to 8th position – according to data disclosed by ICCA – International Congress & Convention Association.
Several competing cities – such as Madrid, London, Brussels and Rome – did not make the top ten. Lisbon’s position confirms affirmation of the Portuguese capital as one of the world’s most popular destinations for hosting such initiatives.
It’s important to remember that Lisbon’s position in the ICCA ranking, was recorded in a year of widespread and transversal economic crisis in all sectors, affecting the entire world economy, thus adding special importance to this classification as a top Meetings Industry destination.
Lisbon’s position in the ranking was awarded ex aequo with Amsterdam, which also hosted 98 conferences. 10th position was occupied by Beijing, China. Vienna topped the list, with 160 events, followed by Barcelona (135), Paris (131), Berlin (129), Singapore (119), Copenhagen (103) and Stockholm (102).
Business Tourism (Meeting Industry) is Lisbon’s second most important tourism product – allocated a budget of €1,076,500 this year, i.e. 29 % of Turismo de Lisboa’s total budget. The leading tourism product is City Break (38.66 % of the total budget), and the other main products are Golf and Touring (both with 16.17 % of the budget).
Business Tourism is one of the ten strategic products identified in the National Strategic Plan for Tourism (PENT), with the Lisbon Region identified as the priority destination for developing this product in Portugal.
The quality of Lisbon’s facilities, equipment, specialised services, technology and accumulated professional expertise, constitute the city’s main competitive advantages for hosting Business Tourism initiatives.
Lisboa Convention Centre will be at IMEX on Stand D100
