US again tops in international meetings
The US and Germany this year continued a trend since 2004: they are the number one and two countries respectively measured by the number of international meetings, according to the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA).
Spain, fifth in 2006, climbed two places to third in 2007, at the cost of The United Kingdom and France, which both dropped one place in the ranking to respectively fourth and fifth.
Italy remains sixth and Japan, which was twelfth in 2006, is seventh in 2007.
Brazil, which was the first Latin American country ever to make the top 10 in 2006, consolidated its position by taking eighth place in 2007. Austria and Canada completed the top 10 at respectively ninth and tenth place. Belgium and Finland were both newcomers in the top 20.
This year the ICCA Data researchers have identified over 6,500 events which took place in 2007, a rise of approximately 800 over 2006.
“Partly this reflects the strength of the market, partly it is thanks to a record number of ICCA members sending us their calendar information to help identify new events,†says the organization
The ICCA rankings cover meetings organized by international associations which take place on a regular basis and which rotate between a minimum of three countries.
ICCA’s Association Database is designed as a sales and marketing resource for its members to target future international association meetings, which is why it does not include one-off events or those which do not move between locations.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive