Quito consolidates itself as a key destination for business tourism

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, continues to establish itself as a key destination for business tourism and international events after being selected in Honduras as the host of the 2027 Congress of the Confederation of Congress and Related Organizations of Latin America (COCAL).

"It's a great opportunity for Quito. The city has worked very hard to provide the entire infrastructure for the tourism industry, to prepare its people, and to provide the necessary preparation for a destination to host events of this quality," Carlos Benítez, a business tourism specialist at Quito Turismo, told EFE after participating in the 41st Cocal 2025 Congress, held in San Pedro Sula (north).

Benítez explained that Quito has been preparing in advance to host the Cocal Congress, an event that promotes the development of the meetings industry in Latin America, with a social focus centered on strengthening its value chain.

He also emphasized that the Ecuadorian capital stands out for its tourism infrastructure, a new city brand, and the economic impact of corporate tourism on its regional development.

"Quito is doing a very strong job. We just launched a new city brand that refreshes all the city's capabilities to host events of this quality, but also tourists who come for business or vacation," he explained.

The expert stated that business tourism generates between "six and seven times more money, or more budget, for destinations than conventional tourism," which generates "much greater revitalization in the city, economic revitalization, and a direct injection into the tourism industry."

Benítez also emphasized that Quito offers tourists "new experiences, with a vibrant identity," and highlighted that the city has positioned itself in recent years as an attractive destination for business meetings.

In addition to the Cocal Congress in 2027, Quito will host the Convening Latam (PCMA) in 2026, one of the most important congresses in the meetings, incentives, congresses, and exhibitions (MICE) industry.

The event, which will be held from May 3 to 5, will bring together approximately 400 representatives from Latin America and the United States. It is organized by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), a global network with more than 7,000 members and an audience of more than 100,000 business leaders worldwide.

The outgoing president of COCAL, Luis Martínez, expressed his support for Quito as the event's host in a statement to EFE. He also noted that the city has all the necessary conditions to boost business tourism.

Martínez also anticipated the participation of more than 600 industry leaders at the 2027 Congress, and emphasized that this type of meeting generates multiple business opportunities.

"On this occasion, we wanted to support Quito and send the message that it's a good destination for meetings and business, as we recently saw in Honduras, where the Cocal Congress was held between Wednesday and Friday," he stated.

For her part, Honduran Vice Minister of Tourism Reizel Vilorio told EFE that this week's Cocal Congress in San Pedro Sula, Honduras's second-largest city, has projected the country as "the center of Latin America" and as "a destination open" to business tourism.

"We have significant potential to position Honduras within the tourism market, especially in the meeting tourism segment," Vilorio emphasized, adding that the 2026 Cocal Congress will be held in Brazil, while the 2027 edition will be held in Quito.