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UIA figures show upward swing for international meetings

Meetings & Incentive Travel, November/December 2004

Since 2000 the number of international meetings has been declining. However, things are looking up, according to the Union of International Associations (UIA). Its recently published statistics digest reveals that although 2003 was a pretty flat year in terms of growth, 2004 is showing a 16 percent rise in international events.

Only 1.52 percent of global purchasers chose London as their preferred destination.

Possibly the main reason, why London is not rated more highly is the lack of a large convention cente and its ‘un-integrated’ transport system. Discussions are still ongoing regarding the possibility of a new convention centre for London but ministers remain sceptical about the true economic benefits to the wider public of attracting more business conferences to an already crowded capital.