High-speed train a key factor in attracting congress tourism to Girona
10/04/14 | The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the leading international body in congresses organisation, highlights Girona's capacity and attractiveness to arouse this sector's interest.
The arrival of a high-speed rail link in Girona, together with its two venues, Fira de Girona and the Auditorium, has brought about an increase in requests by organisers of these types of events. Currently, there are already twelve congresses and fourteen trade fairs marked on the 2014 calendar.
The recent annual meeting of the Iberian Chapter of the ICCA in Girona broke attendance records, a fact that takes on particular importance if we bear in mind that those attending the congress act as prescribers when organising these events.
For the Vice-President of ICCA World, Juan José García, the high-speed train has broken through the barrier to accessibility; in his own words, "this, together to the city's hotel sector and facilities, boosts its potential". It has also enabled Girona and Barcelona to work together when organising congresses.
According to a study, 87% of the congresses held in the world host less than 1000 attendees, a number of visitors that the city of Girona's facilities could easily handle. An average 3-day congress with 500 attendees represents a direct economic impact of almost one million euros. In an event of this type, it has been calculated that each attendee will spend on average 2000 euros. These figures highlight the real capacity a municipality the size of Girona has to introduce itself into the congress circuit and they provide an idea of the financial return that promoting events in this sector could offer the city.