In a recent market report released by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)…
In a recent market report released by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), one of the most prominent organizations in the world of international meetings, Mexico ranked 11th worldwide as a preferred congress and conventions destination in 2004, welcoming more than 90,000 meetings and conventions participants. The ranking signals a remarkable increase from 2003, where Mexico placed 27th and hosted some 25,000 participants.
The higher rating is no surprise, as Mexico receives more than 20 million business and leisure travelers a year, making the country the eighth most important international tourism destination worldwide. While its proximity to the U.S. and unmatched hospitality have contributed to Mexico`s success in the tourism industry, the country continues to make strides to attract the business segment with advanced technology, valuable incentives and an excellent infrastructure to support the meetings and conventions industry.
It is important to note the competitive measures that the Mexican government, through the Mexico`s Tourism Secretariat and the Mexico Tourism Board has taken in the market, such as the Tasa Cero initiative and Meetings Online, says Elda Laura Cerda, executive director of the Mexico Convention Bureau. She also adds that business travel in Mexico has a great return on investment for us, so much so that we have created the Mexico Convention Bureau to promote Mexico as the ideal destination for the organization of congresses, conventions, incentive travels, market places and exhibitions on an international basis.
Mexico offers an amazing variety of meeting options: 38 state-of-the-art convention centers in 25 cities, 26 destinations for incentive travel, 245,000 hotel rooms for conventions, more than 550,000 square meters of event space and 58 international airports. In addition, Mexico boasts some of the most modern meeting centers in the world, featuring smart rooms fully equipped with audio, individual light systems, telecommunications systems including voice and data transmission, optical fiber and broadband Internet. One of the newest and most impressive facilities is the Centro Banamex, in the heart of Mexico City. With a capacity for more than 5,000 people and more than 550,000 square feet of space, this venue is ideal in terms of mixing a cultural experience with the latest amenities.
Dedicated to increasing domestic and international tourism to Mexico, the Mexico Tourism Board has taken a number of initiatives to make organizing events and meetings in Mexico easier than ever.
Meetings Online
In March 2005, the Mexico Tourism Board launched a web-based tool Meetings Online, allowing meeting planners to review online installations and available services in Mexico within the Meetings and Conventions segment, thereby fomenting the exchange of information between service providers and buyers. Users can access Meetings Online by visiting the Meeting and Conventions section within the www.visitmexico.com site and complete a simple and brief registration. Instantly, planners can conduct a search; select, consult, and compare the options presented, and finally, complete an On-line Proposal form. Once received the proposal is channeled to the Mexico Convention Bureau (MCB) and the respective local Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). The process is completed when the provider accepts the service solicited, by sending an email to the client and copying the MCB or CVB.
Tasa Cero
Mexico`s status as a favored tax country is an added bonus for U.S. meeting planners. As of January 2004, Mexico has repealed the value added tax for meetings, expositions and conventions (10 percent in border states and 15 percent elsewhere). The tax-free initiative covers venue rental, lodging, food and drinks inside the venues, airport/seaport/border transfers and trips between hotels and meeting places. Also covered are related event services such as set-up, registration, masters of ceremonies, translators, hosts, audiovisual equipment, decoration, security and cleaning. All related services contracted up to two nights before and two nights after an event are eligible for the tax waiver. Currently, the Mexican Congress is reviewing the possibility of including incentive travel within the Tasa Cero program.
Mexico Convention Bureau
The inauguration of the Mexico Convention Bureau (Oficina de Congresos y Convenciones de Mexico) in July 2003 makes Mexico one of the few nations in the world with a national bureau dedicated to meetings and conventions. The organism was set up to increase the competitiveness and visibility of Mexico`s tourism offering for meetings, conventions, incentive travel and exhibitions by teaming up with key private and public entities to increase the country`s global market share. In essence, it serves as the main intermediary for the private sector and the various government offices that deal with meetings and conventions planners.
Mexico`s wide web of resources
Each year the Mexico Convention Bureau supports a number of important expos held in Mexico that highlight what the local industry has to offer. Among them are Meeting Place Mexico (www.meetingplacemexico.com), Mexico Showcase and Travel Expo (www.incentivemanagement.com), and Meeting and Incentive Trade Market Latin America.
In addition to the number of local and international events the Mexico Tourism Board supports, some of the largest associations have developed local chapters in Mexico, reinforcing the country`s importance in the congress and conventions industry, such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE).
In recent years, Mexico has hosted such prestigious conferences as the United Nations` International Conference on Financing for Development (Monterrey, 2002), the Organization of American States` Summit (Guadalajara, 2004), International Police Organization World Congress (Cancun, 2004), and the Global Forum for Health Research (Mexico City, 2004).
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
