AMERICAS - The Ecuadorian capital Quito has announced the bidding process for the construction and management of a new exhibition, convention and entertainment complex in the city.
The city says the decision to create a new business and tourism complex is to meet business travel demand, which is projected to grow by five per cent within the next five years. Quito is inviting national and international investors to participate in the bidding process for what it says will be Ecuador’s leading business and events centre.
The complex will include a 6,000-delegate exhibition centre, a 3,000-delegate convention centre, a 9,000-delegate events area for a variety of shows and an outdoor space for more than 30,000 visitors. In addition to these facilities, the complex will also feature commercial stores and entertainment spaces.
An estimated investment of US$35m will be required for the New Metropolitan Convention Center, which will be built over an area of 28.4 acres once occupied by Quito’s former International Airport.
This new structure will be part of the Bicentenario Park, which covers a total area of nearly 314 acres in the centre of the city.
This new project is part of an initiative by the city of Quito and the national government to revitalise Quito’s Metropolitan District with a series of new developments that include the city’s first subway system, which will feature a station at the New Metropolitan Convention Center, Quito’s New International airport and a series of hotel expansions.
The latest statistics indicate that during 2012, 25 per cent of all visitors in Quito were travelling for business, meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. It is estimated that 130,000 travellers to Quito spent an average of $607 on housing, food, transportation and conference registration costs per visit. Of all MICE events held in Quito, 44 per cent were international congresses.
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