EUROPE - Italy has unveiled its national convention bureau, Convention Bureau Italia, (CBI), headed by 
Mario Resca.

Resca says that, “despite the economic trend, Italy managed to maintain its [International Congress and Convention Association] ranking of last year and the number of meetings increased by six per cent compared to 2010 (363 of 2011 against 341 in 2010).

“The meeting industry is a global business in which all countries are investing and we finally have a single recognised entity promoting the brand Italia in the world,” said Resca.

“Recent studies show that business tourism generates a turnover of €6.3bn (US$7.8bn), representing 20.5 per cent of international tourism expenditure in Italy.”

Resca identified the sector as “a priority for Italy’s future since it is a strategic tool for the growth and the competitiveness of our country”.

The President of the new national bureau says it will become a point of reference for foreign markets buyers and that he aims to establish it as the coordinator of domestic supply.

“Italy can really compete at an international level and focus on this great opportunity,” Resca said.

In terms of the top five Italian cities in the ICCA rankings, Rome has confirmed its first place with a 27.7 per cent rise in the number of meetings compared to 2010 and achieving the highest total value achieved over the last 10 years.

Antonio Gazzelone, a special delegate for tourism of the Rome Mayor, told a meeting at IMEX in Frankfurt last week that Rome was presenting itself to the international public for the first time, in partnership with the city’s conference businesses.

Patrick Hoffnung, CBI General Manager, said the German market had increased its meetings business to Italy by 75 per cent compared to 2011.
 
Do you have news for CMW? Email: pcolston@mashmedia.net