Tourism Secretary Mendoza, Luis Böhm said the new positioning strategy of the province. Promise. We considered to be in three years, third in conducting conferences, Böhm said. The Secretary of Tourism of Mendoza, Luis Böhm, explained the new strategy for the province to break the seasonality segment bet Congress and Convention. In addition, the heavy investment in infrastructure and the commitment to the Brazilian market. The 6th National Meeting Venues Destination held from 21 to 24 April in Neuquén was the right time for Mendoza presented his new strategy to position itself as a destination for congresses and conventions place. What was the strategy that was presented in Neuquén
What we did in Villa La Angostura explain that Mendoza was going to redouble our efforts in positioning as a destination for conferences and events. In this regard a particular situation occurs because in August the Intercontinental Hotel opens with an auditorium for nearly 2,900 people and Congress Centre that allows operation of nearly four thousand people simultaneously; joined in April 2011 will be inaugurated the new auditorium in San Rafael complements the work of the congress and convention center that the city has. This was accompanying the opening of major hotels in the province as the Sheraton, which also incorporated an important infrastructure for conferences and events. In addition, tender for construction of the Convention Center on the east side (San Martin).
This poses a huge challenge for infrastructure, when these are habilitadas- have a specific demand on conferences and conventions. What is your assessment of this segment in 2009
It went really well despite the crisis. And now, with this new challenge is multiplied nearly 55 percent on infrastructure conferences and conventions and will have a 30 percent increase in the supply of five-star beds. This implies a great challenge to give it and Continuity. Although the primary responsibility of the private sector, the State supports and designs a strategy for this purpose. In that sense, we will strengthen the area of Congresses and Events. You will have a bigger budget and there will be a change of management is already confirmed: Federico Vázquez de Novoa will take charge of this area and will be our state counterparts in the Bureau of Mendoza-recently formed and fully Operation-, in San Rafael and in Malargue. Part of the infrastructure would be resolved, but now have to work hard to promote and attract events to meet supply.
Sure. We did important work in 2009 on the basis of existing infrastructure. Now, the difference is we are releasing and offering what will be the infrastructure Mendoza end of 2010 and 2011 How important is the segment of Congresses and Conventions Mendoza
Great importance; so much so that-for example Mendoza October and November that were always low season, in 2009, in September, during these months had the same occupation in high season.
The only thing that is running we would like low season March, April and June. Then we will have an infrastructure and spare capacity that will be able to offer very strong for this segment.
In the next three years is proposed as a strategy Mendoza being the third place in conducting national congresses and events.
An destination, in addition to infrastructure, must have added value to attract conferences and conventions. In this sense, what the added value offered Mendoza
Mendoza has the advantage that it is placing public and private infrastructure in a destination that already has natural attractions, scenic, historical, cultural, food, wine and all that is developing the concept of water, which is a very attractive package when choosing a destination. Mendoza has many attractions-including a fashion as wine tourism to become very strong motivations for, at equal value, to attract and be very competitive for good quality congress in infrastructure and price setting and value added as a destination for conference attendees and accompanying persons. This provincial strategy, how important is the Brazilian market
We have been making a strong bid from Brazil four years ago with a systematic and continuous presence. In fact we have week in San Pablo Mendoza and go to a dozen events in Brazil. Particularly, in September the largest fair adventure of South America that is the Adventure Sports Fair is done in San Pablo is performed, and this year is themed Mendoza. We will also Week in San Pablo Mendoza.
For the province, Brazil is an historically important market. Changing the profile segment Meetings and Conventions is twofold. On the one hand involves having a visitor profile more affluent and, secondly, it is proven that you visit a city like Congressman then returns as a tourist pleasure. In this regard, Böhm said: You have these two advantages. The strategy is correct because, besides you an interesting level at the break of the seasonal and daily expenditure has a higher than average tourists rest of this phenomenon coming for three or four days occurs, have a glimpse of fate, get excited and then a large percentage returns with the family.
