Strengthening Puebla’s Convention and Conference Industry
The Secretariat of Tourism Development in Puebla aims to bolster the convention and conference sector by attending international tourism fairs to connect with travel operators who can promote such events.
Key Targets for Promotion
- United States
- Colombia
- London
- Madrid
Carla López-Malo, the head of the state agency, mentioned these locations as part of their strategy to establish Puebla as a prominent destination for conventions and conferences.
Current State of Convention and Conference Tourism
López-Malo explained that the meetings segment accounts for only 4% of Puebla’s tourism activities. The goal is to increase the number of events, which will translate into economic impact and visitor arrivals.
Puebla typically hosts around 80 events annually, but this number has not surpassed pre-COVID-19 levels. In the years before 2020, Puebla hosted over 120 events.
Although Puebla has excelled in other tourism segments, López-Malo acknowledged the need to strengthen the convention and conference sector by 2026, as the state has the infrastructure to host large-scale events.
Upcoming Travel for Promotion
- López-Malo will travel to the United States, specifically Las Vegas, for a specialized meeting industry fair.
- She will also meet with travel agencies and airlines in Los Angeles to promote Puebla as a destination for hosting major events, including conferences, concerts, and sports events.
The hotel industry and other tourism service providers in Puebla have repeatedly requested a strategy from state authorities to attract more visitors, especially during weekdays. The average occupancy rate is 45%, which could improve if more convention and conference events are attracted, leading to a 65% occupancy rate from Monday to Thursday.
Existing Infrastructure
Puebla boasts four venues with excellent capacity:
- GNP Auditorium (formerly Acrópolis), with a seating capacity of 11,000, inaugurated in 2017.
- Center for Exhibitions and Conventions with a capacity of 25,000 to 50,000 people, inaugurated in 2010.
- BUAP University Cultural Complex Auditorium, with a capacity of 3,600, affiliated with the Benemérita Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP).
- Metropolitan Auditorium, with 5,000 seats, inaugurated in 2015.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of Puebla’s Secretariat of Tourism Development? The primary goal is to strengthen the convention and conference sector by attending international tourism fairs to connect with travel operators who can promote such events.
- Which countries and cities are key targets for promotion? The Secretariat is focusing on the United States, Colombia, London, and Madrid.
- What is the current state of convention and conference tourism in Puebla? This segment accounts for only 4% of Puebla’s tourism activities, with around 80 events annually. Pre-pandemic, Puebla hosted over 120 such events.
- What upcoming travel plans does Carla López-Malo have for promoting Puebla? She will travel to the United States, specifically Las Vegas for a specialized meeting industry fair and Los Angeles to meet with travel agencies and airlines.
- What is the existing infrastructure for hosting large events in Puebla? Puebla has four venues with excellent capacity: GNP Auditorium, Center for Exhibitions and Conventions, BUAP University Cultural Complex Auditorium, and Metropolitan Auditorium.
