How conference tourism impacts Valencia
We have been invited to take part in the roundtable ‘The economic and social impact of conference tourism in cities’ hosted by AETE
The debate’s main topics include conference tourism’s economic and social benefits
Since the Centre was opened on 2 July 1998, around 2,900 events have been held in our building attended by more than two million people and generating over two million overnight stays.
These numbers sum up in just a few lines how conference tourism has impacted our city, Valencia, which over 21 years has seen and continues to see far-reaching urban change. The city’s northwest thoroughfare, where 21 years ago fields abounded and buildings were but a dream, has completely changed its appearance due to the Valencia Conference Centre and its operations. Today our venue has 1,000 hotel beds within walking distance.
Such positive figures for the Valencia Conference Centre and its city are tied to the boom in international events that we have witnessed over the last four years. Since 2016 we have increased our operations by 50% and our international business has expanded twofold, which means our building is a powerful driver of economic growth in the city and helps to make conference tourism into one of the cornerstones of Spain’s tourism industry.
Meeting tourism generates a huge economic impact due to conference delegates’ high spending power, which is 3/4 times greater than that of a conventional tourist.
Our Managing Director, Sylvia Andrés, will be talking about these results and how Valencia is changing as a consequence of conference tourism at the roundtable ‘The economic and social impact of conference tourism in cities’ to be hosted by the Elche Tourism Businesses Association (AETE) on 16 September at the Ciutat d’Elx Convention Centre.
The discussion will be moderated by AETE chair Esther Gilabert and is also to feature Yolanda Aguilar, General Manager at the Malaga Trade Fair and Congress Centre (FYCMA), and Leire Bilbao, manager of Visit Benidorm.
For further information about the roundtable organisers, visit AETE.
