Colombia. Colombia is consolidating its position as one of Latin America's main destinations for international congresses, conventions and scientific meetings, according to the annual report of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) for 2024.
ICCA is a global organization that records and analyzes international events organized by non-profit associations, such as medical congresses, scientific conferences, academic symposia, and global forums. These events typically last several days, attract experts from around the world, and have a major economic and social impact on the cities that host them.
In 2024, Colombia registered 114 international events in this type of meeting, which places it in third place in Latin America, only behind Argentina and Brazil. This result represents an increase of 10.6% compared to the previous year, when the country counted 103 events.
"Colombia is not only positioning itself as the country of beauty for its landscapes and culture, but also for its ability to host international events with excellence that promote social development and territorial inclusion," said Carmen Caballero, president of ProColombia. "Today we recorded a 9% growth in the number of ICCA events compared to 2023, demonstrating the success of our multi-destination and multi-sector strategy."
The report reveals that each event of this type brings to the country, on average, more than 600 international attendees, energizing sectors such as hospitality, transportation, gastronomy and specialized services. In addition, these meetings often leave important legacies, such as scientific collaborations, educational projects, and new investment opportunities.
Barranquilla stands out for its rapid growth
One of the cities that has stood out the most in the last year is Barranquilla, which went from 5 ICCA events in 2023 to 11 in 2024, doubling its presence in the ranking. This growth positions it as one of the cities with the greatest projection in the Caribbean region.
In addition to the large cities, other Colombian cities are beginning to host international events. Santa Marta, Valledupar and Pereira are joining the circuit thanks to their sectoral offer in health, education, technology and sustainable tourism.
With this new position on the international stage, Colombia continues to work on strengthening its unique value as a destination: a country where natural beauty is complemented by modern infrastructure, qualified human talent and a comprehensive vision of sustainable development and social inclusion.
