South Korea has been ranked as the second most preferred destination after the United States of America (USA) for global congresses hosted in 2015, according to the latest International Meetings Statistics Report, released this week by the Union of International Associations (UIA). The findings show Korea achieving second place behind the USA with 891 meetings – a 40% increase over the previous year. This also places it first in Asia and accounts for 7.5% of all meetings held worldwide across the same period.
Seoul, the nation’s capital, also notably improved its long-standing top-5 UIA city ranking, moving from fifth to third place with 494 meetings held in 2015; a 98.4% increase over the 249 meetings hosted in 2014. Meanwhile, Busan, Korea’s second-largest city, attained a global city ranking of 11 with 150 meetings, while renowned UNESCO World Heritage resort island Jeju accounted for 112 of the year’s meetings, achieving a global city ranking of 19.
Nationwide infrastructure growth has played a key role in boosting Korea’s MICE competitiveness, including expanded facilities in future Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics host Gangwon Province, and ongoing expansions to recent Korea MICE Expo host Songdo Convensia in Incheon’s International Business District. New regional convention facilities include the new Asia Culture Center in southeastern city Gwangju and Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO) in the southwestern UNESCO capital of Gyeongju.
Byungsun Lee, Director, South Korea Tourism Organisation, said, “We will of course continue to work actively to make Korea a highly-competitive MICE destination. South Korea is a country with a wealth of destinations all featuring their own unique attractions and venues for the MICE visitors. With our strength in infrastructure, we are positive to list our position amongst the top and most preferred MICE destinations of India as well. ”
from : http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/Outbound-News/south-korea-second-favourite-in-uias-global-meetings-ranking-31118
