Ultramar Express, the corporate event division of TUI Spain, is currently showcasing its new corporate event and congress destinations, geared to Spanish multinationals, at EIBTM. Ultramar Express will be joining forces with the World of TUI group, of which it forms a part, to launch this new product next year, with the aim of offering a new portfolio of international destinations, each one managed by its own highly professional team.
Parallel to this initiative, Ultramar Express will continue to operate as one of the country’s chief incoming agencies, thanks to the companies 20 branches in Spain and the Dominican Republic’s main cities and destinations, and a team of professionals capable of satisfying the needs of its international clients, providing them with detailed information on each destination. In 2007, Ultramar Express has managed 50 trade fairs and congresses and 1,100 cruise ship stopovers (23.5% of the market), attending more than 500,000 clients.
With this strategy, Ultramar Express aims to reach a turnover of 36 million euros in 2007. In the words of Delfi Torna, director general of Ultramar Express Event Management, “Ultramar Express has developed a growth dynamic which it will maintain in the short- and medium term. Our aim is to consolidate our leadership in Spain, attending our international clients, and offer the national market our services in more than 30 chosen destinations worldwide.”
EIBTM’s official agency
Ultramar Express has been EIBTM’s official destination service agency for the last four years. Carolina Garcia, director of the Ultramar Express’ trade fair and congress department, states that “We’re very happy with the results of our agreement with Reed Travel Exhibitions, and the perspectives for future collaboration are excellent.”
This division manages accommodation for visitors and exhibitors at 66 hotels in Barcelona, including EIBTM’s official hotels, as well as transport logistics for all of the participants. The company has booked 48,000 hotel rooms for event visitors and exhibitors. During the event, there will be more than 200 coach services a day – also managed by Ultramar Express Event Management – co-ordinated by 100 of the company’s staff members. More than 10,000 trade professionals are expected to attend the event.
Spanish MICE industry statistics
- At present, the Spanish MICE (meetings, incentives, congresses and events) industry moves about 5,000 million euros a year.
- Spanish companies spend nearly 20% of their marketing budget on events.
- The industry has a high annual growth rate. According to the ICCA (International Congress & Convention Association), Spain occupies 5th place in the world ranking with regard to the number of events organised in 2006, with a total of 266. EE.UU. is ranked first with 414 events, followed by Germany with 334, United Kingdom with 279 and France with 269.
- Barcelona is Spain’s leading event destination.
With over 50 years of experience, Ultramar Express is Spain’s leading company specialising in the overall management of large congresses, international events, cruises and incentives. This brand, which operates the event management division of TUI Spain, has a network of more than 20 branches in Spain’s main tourist destinations, and over 300 employees. Ultramar Express Event Management has recently been named the new official DMC of the Mobile World Congress 2008, scheduled to be held in Barcelona from 11-14 February.
