International Meetings Statistics 1999 - Press Release

Please note again, that the ranking is different if one considers only the international association meetings or the total ranking. Cities printed in bold letters are improving their ranking in comparison to 1998.

 

Based on the total figures, in 1999, the top ten cities are sharing 15.79% of the world market compared to 15,85 in 1998, 16.48 % in 1997, 18.07% in 1996, 18.58 % in 1995, 17.48% in 1994, 17.70% in 1993 and 19.46% in 1992.

This result confirms the trend experienced in previous years: the top cities reducing their share of the total market to the benefit of a wider distribution worldwide. The top twenty cities are sharing 24.30% of the total against 25.05% in 1998, 25.79% in 1997, increasing thus this tendency.

 

Analysis of this table also shows a variable evolution from city to city. Paris is consolidating its leadership: 2.63% against 2.60% in 1998 (against 2.71% in 1997).

 

Sydney is now in the top ten; Orlando, Edinburgh, Buenos Aires & Seoul in the top twenty-five.

 

Other cities occupying a significant place in this table are, in order: Lisboa, Maastricht, Tokyo, Melbourne, Munchen, Montréal, Oslo, Bangkok, Den Haag, Lyon, San Francisco, Vancouver, Chicago, Jerusalem, Athinai, New Orleans, Beijing, Warszawa, Toronto, Atlanta, Boston, Dublin, Birmingham, Firenze, New Delhi, Cairo, Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, Adelaide, Brisbane.

 

(Cities underline = new entries in the list).

 

With regard to the ranking of purely international associations' meetings, the order is as follows: Paris, Brussels, Wien, London, Berlin, Kobenhavn, Amsterdam, Sydney, Washington, Strasbourg, Helsinki, Budapest, Geneve, Singapore, New York, Praha, Roma, Stockholm, Barcelone.

 

 

Breakdown by continents/regions

 

Africa

 

The situation in Africa is showing a substantial decrease in 1999.

The percentage of meetings organized in Africa is now of 4.65% (4.67% in 1998, 5.41% in 1997, 4.91% in 1996)

 

South Africa is consolidating its first place in Africa country with 26.38% (26% in 1998, 22.09% in 1997, 21.28% in 1996, 21.60% in 1995, 17.23% in 1994, 11.43% in 1993 and 5.51% in 1992), directly followed by: Egypt 8.94% (11.76% in 1998, 9.23% in 1997); Morocco 7.57% (4.75% in 1998), 5.42% in 1997; Zimbabwe 5.96% (3.85% in 1998, 7.02% in 1997); Kenya 5.28% (8.37% in 1998, 5.42% in 1997); Senegal 4.36% (6.11% in 1998, 13.21% in 1997); Tunisia 4.36% (5.20% in 1998, 3.21% in 1997); Ghana 4.13% (2.26% in 1998).

 

The top ranking cities are in order of importance: Cairo, Cape Town, Durban, Nairobi, Harare, Dakar, Accra, Abidjan, Tunis, Pretoria.

 

North America

 

In North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), an upward trend is again registered:

As in previous years, one wishes to stress again the fact that the meetings taken into consideration in the survey are primarily those organized/sponsored by international nongovernmental organizations; it is a well known fact that the number of large national meetings with international participation organized in North America is much higher that the figures mentioned in this analysis (especially in the USA); the survey of this specific market is not within the scope of activities of UIA.

 

On a worldwide basis, USA is keeping its leadership with 12.81% share of the world total against 12.53% in 1998, 11.46% in 1997, 11.79% in 1996, 11.52% in 1995, 14.75% in 1994, 15% in 1993, 11.38% in 1992 and 10.70% in 1991. Canada with a share of 2.56% of the world market (2.42% in 1998, 2.47% in 1997, 2.33% in 1996).

 

Leading cities in North America are in order of importance : Washington 6.78%; New York 5.79%; Orlando 4.61%; Montréal 3.49%; San Francisco 3.29%; Vancouver 3.22%; Chicago 3.16%; New Orléans 2.89%; Toronto, Atlanta, Boston 2.57%.

 

South America

 

1999 is registering a consolidation at the 1998 level.

 

The share of the world market is now: 5.01% against 4.95% in 1998 (5.46% in 1997, 4.71% in 1996 and 5.21% in 1995).

 

Leading country in S.America are : Brazil 19.36% (19.40% in 1998, 18.12% in 1997, 18.66% in 1996; 17% in 1995); Argentina 17,02% (13% in 1998, 13,35% in 1997); Cuba 8.72% (8.95% in 1998, 8.37% in 1997); Chile 8.09% (7.89% in 1998, 6.18% in 1997); Colombia 4.04% (4.05% in 1998, 5.78% in 1997); Peru 3.83% (4.05% in 1998, 4.78% in 1997); Puerto Rico 3.61% (2.77% in 1998); Venezuela 3.61% (6.40% in 1998, 4.58% in 1997).

 

Leading cities are in order of importance: Buenos Aires 14.68% (9.81% in 1998); La Habana 6.17% Rio de Janeiro 5.11%; Santiago 4.68%; Sao Paulo 2.18%; Caracas 1.91%.

 

Asia

 

The steady increase which has been going on from year to year in Asia is experiencing since 1998 a slight movement of recession:

Asia is however, always the third area in importance in the world, with a reduced share of 13.37% (13.46% in 1998, 14.07% in 1997, 14.32% in 1996, 13.72% in 1995), behind Europe and North America.

 

Japan, is placed on the 12th place on the world ranking with 17.53% (18.68% in 1998, 19.32% in 1997, 18.13% in 1996), followed in order by: China (Hong Kong being now part of China) 12.59% (Honk Kong+China 13.89% in 1998, in 1997 = 12.52%); Singapore 11.16% (10.28 in 1998, 10.66% in 1997, 10.67 in 1996); India 8.53% (9.58% in 1998, 8.19% in 1997,6.82% in 1996); Korea Rep 7.73% (4.55% in 1998, 7.34% in 1997, 6.59% in 1996).

 

Thailand 7.25% (4.71% in 1998, 6.18% in 1997, 6.59% in 1996); Israel 6.85% (7.61% in 1998, 6.25% in 1997, 10.75% in 1996); Malaysia 4.78% (5.34% in 1998, 5.18% in 1997, 5.72% in 1996); Philippines 3.27% (5.02% in 1998, 4.17% in 1997, 4.08% in 1996).

 

The remaining 20.31% are spread over the entire Asian continent.

 

As can be seen from these figures, the situation is again improving in Singapore, Korea, and Thailand.

 

Leading cities are in order of importance :

 

Singapore 11.16%; Hong Kong 6.69%; Seoul 5.18%; Tokyo 5.02%; Bangkok 4.06%; Jerusalem 3.67%; Beijing 3.35%; New Delhi 2.71%; Kuala Lumpur 2,55%; Manila 2.15%; Kyoto 1.83%.

 

Europe

 

After 3 years of steady progress, the situation is consolating:

The percentage of meetings taking place in Europe is steady: 56.94% (56.85% in 1998, 56.51% in 1997, 57.85% in 1996, 58.61% in 1995, 58.95% in 1994, 59.76% in 1993; 61.42% in 1992 and 62.3% in 1991.)

 

Of these 47.64% were organized by international associations.

 

Positive results experienced in Europe took place in order of importance in : Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Greece, Finland, Norway, Croatia, Cyrpus & Slovenia, Poland, Denmark & Spain, Italy & Romania.

 

As in previous years, France is always ranking second in the world, with a share of 6.75 % (6.88% in 1998, 7.03% in 1997, 7.22% in 1996) and leader in Europe with a share of 11.85% (12.14% in 1998, 12.45% in 1997, 12.50% in 1996). Second in Europe : UK with 6.48% worldwide and 11.38% in Europe (6.78% and 11.96% in 1998). An important increase took place in Germany : 6.41% worldwide and 11.27% in Europe (10.37% in 1998). Percentage in Europe of other countries are as follows: Italy 7.19% (7.06% in 1998); Netherlands 6.85% (6.35% in 1998); Spain 5.73% (5.59% in 1998); Belgium 5.50% (5.70% in 1998); Austria 4.60% (5.26% in 1998); Switerland 3.99 % (4.14% in 1998); Finland 3.46% (3.17% in 1998); Denmark 2.86% (2.75% in 1998); Sweden 2.81% (3.49% in 1998); Norway 2.45% (2.17% in 1998); Greece 2.21% (1.91% in 1998); Hungary 2.15% (1.65% in 1998); Portugal 2.04% (3.10% in 1998); Poland 1.80% (1.65% in 1998); Russia 1.78% (1.78% in 1998); Czech Rep 1.63% (1.40% in 1998) (improved ranking).

 

Countries increased or decreased shares are indicated on Table 5 with the sign "+" or "-".

 

Leading cities in Europe are in order of importance: Paris, Brussels, Wien, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Kobenhavn, Helsinki, Budapest, Strasbourg, Rome, Madrid, Genève, Praha, Stockholm, Edinburgh, Barcelona, Lisboa, Maastricht, Munchen, Oslo, Den Haag, Lyon, Athinai, Warszawa, Dublin, Birmingham, Firenze. Glasgow, Salzburg, St Petersburg, Trieste, Antwerpen, Moskwa, Venezia, Milano, Istanbul, Cambridge, Zurich, Sevilla, Antwerpen, Nice, Koln, Bergen, Oxford, Bonn, Dusseldorf, Rotterdam, Bordeaux, Hamburg.

 

Australasia

 

The increase enjoyed in this continent since 1993 is now showing a consolidation falling back to a level slightly over that of 1997.

Australia is keeping its 7th place in the countries' top table with the following development:

Leading cities in the continent are in order of importance : Sydney 29.53%; Melbourne 16.71%; Adelaide & Brisbane 8.63%; Perth & Auckland 3.62%; Canberra 1.95%.

 

The analysis of information related to the number of participants attending the meetings held in 1999 follows the existing trend, ie a majority of meetings with participants below 1000.

 

Monthly breakdown

The monthly breakdown indicates the percentage of meetings place in:

 

 

 

Conclusion and future trends

 

As indicated in the introductory remarks, the situation is stable all over the world; the upwards or downwards movements are not very important.

 

From the analysis of the various tables it appears that the most significant increases took place in countries situated all over the world: Germany, Korea Rep, Thailand, Hungary, Netherlands, Argentina.

 

Cities with the highest increase are also widely distributed worldwide: Berlin, Sydney, Buenos Aires, Maastricht, Seoul, Den Haag, Lyon, Orlando, Edinburgh, Munchen, Vancouver, Warszawa, Budapest, Praha, Kobenhavn, Singapore, Honk Kong.

 

Duration: the average duration of the meetings taken into consideration for the survey remains the same: ie 4 days.

 

Once again a large proportion of national meetings with international participation had to be excluded from our survey due mainly to the fact that the duration of these meetings do not fall in with our criteria. The tendency for these events is to concentrate the work into a shorter period of time.

 

Future trends

 

Based on the information available to date, trends for future years are showing a slight decrease of the "traditional meetings". As noticed since 1997, "electronic meetings" have been recorded and announced in our Annual International Congress Calendar. The number of these meetings while still limited, is steadily increasing in two directions: as independent "electronic meetings" only and/or as "joint meetings" to traditional meetings.