New research shows that Buenos Aires has come first in North and South America in the International Congress and Conventions Association’s (ICCA) rankings of cities that have organized business meetings and events in the last ten years, boosting the city’s bid for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
Figures show that Buenos Aires ranks first in the American Content after hosting 779 meetings and events in the last 10 years. The city also welcomes 218,631 attendees to meetings and events in the last five years, the most in North and South America, doubling the attendance figures of all other participating South American cities.
Herman Lombardi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Tourism Authority of Buenos Aires City said, “to be at the very top of the ICCA rankings in North and South America over such a sustained period is a marvellous achievement for Buenos Aires and those who are responsible for driving business innovation and entrepreneurship in this thriving, cosmopolitan city.
“We are always delighted to welcome the world here in Buenos Aires. We have nearly 500 hotels within the city accompanied by first class facilities making it a prime hub for meetings and events, not only for South America but also for the rest of the world”.
Francisco Irrarazaval, Buenos Aires Under-Secretary of Sport and Chief Executive of the Buenos Aires 2018 bid committee said, “as we continue our bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games we are delighted to hear that Buenos Aires has topped the ICCA rankings. Here in Buenos Aires we have some of the best sports facilities in the world and this more recent honour also provides the city with a resounding endorsement of its corporate facilities and hosting capabilities.
“Buenos Aires is a significant sporting, commercial and economic hub and hosting the Youth Olympic Games here in 2018 would be a great honour that would fit perfectly with our city plan.
He added, “we are very confident that we have the foundations in place to host a dynamic and exhilarating Youth Olympic Games in 2018 creating universal impact worth of a universal movement”.
