Within the framework of the meeting, the director of the Catalan Tourism Agency, Narcís Ferrer y Ferrer, explained that this year this action has resulted in more than 1,500 business meetings between 90 Catalan companies and entities and more than 60 tour operators from 14 European countries. (Germany, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and United Kingdom and Sweden).

This action has resulted in more than 1,500 commercial pledges between 90 companies and entities

Ferrer recalls that Meet Catalunya is one of the most important events of the year, especially with regard to MICE. “ACT is strongly committed to promoting and revitalizing travel to Catalonia for meetings, congresses, conventions and incentives as this is a relevant segment that breaks seasons, generates high levels of spending and, due to the type of demand, contributes to improving the quality of the professional sector and supply”. According to the director, “it is a segment of visitors with high potential for economic return to the country and for interaction with the local business world. Moreover, it is a catalyst for new opportunities and that is what we are looking for in the change of tourism model that we want for Catalonia”.

Catalan’s wide range of offerings in the field of meeting tourism (with more than a thousand rooms suitable for hosting this type of business event), its tourist experience in other segments and the position of the city of Barcelona, ​​which has been Followed among the first cities to hold a congress in ranking of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), they make Catalonia well positioned at the international level and has high potential for the development of this activity.

“The tourism gathering was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, but after two very difficult years it is recovering” Ferrer said. In 2019, before the pandemic, the total expenditure in Catalonia made by foreign tourists traveling for work, business, attending exhibitions and congresses was 1,700 million euros and this segment represented 7.5% of the overall tourism activity in Catalonia. This year, until July, a fee of 850 million euros has been generated. In this regard, this type of tourism has recovered by 81% compared to 2019, a figure similar to the recovery experienced by holiday tourism.

After the commercial meeting, the tour operator will start the tour to get to know the Catalan meeting tour offers in place through several socialization journeys. In particular, 8 trips will be made to visit the space prepared to host business meetings. They will stay in hotels that specialize in hosting these kinds of events and will find a variety of places and activities to organize incentive trips. The route will pass through several regions since “in Catalonia there are many well-equipped areas to host all kinds of events” said the ACT Director.

Business travelers to Catalonia come mainly from all over Spain, France, England, Germany and Italy. They usually stay in hotels, especially high-end hotels, and among the most requested complementary activities, outdoor activities, gastronomy, culture and sports stand out.