Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics Bid Handed Boost

Buenos Aires bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games has been boosted after the city was ranked first in North and South America for cities that have organised business meetings and events in the last decade by the International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA).

Argentina’s capital city has hosted 779 meetings and events in the last ten years and has welcomed 218,631 attendees in the last five, the most in North and South America.

Herman Lombardi, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Tourism Authority of Buenos Aires City said: “To be at the very top of the ICCA rankings in North and South America over such a sustained period is a marvellous achievement for Buenos Aires and those who are responsible for driving business innovation and entrepreneurship in this thriving, cosmopolitan city.

“We are always delighted to welcome the world here in Buenos Aires. We have nearly 500 hotels within the city accompanied by first class facilities making it a prime hub for meetings and events, not only for South America but also for the rest of the world”.

Francisco Irrarazaval, Buenos Aires Under-Secretary of Sport and Chief Executive of the Buenos Aires 2018 bid committee added: “As we continue our bid to host the 2018 Youth Olympic Games we are delighted to hear that Buenos Aires has topped the ICCA rankings. Here in Buenos Aires we have some of the best sports facilities in the world and this more recent honour also provides the city with a resounding endorsement of its corporate facilities and hosting capabilities.

“Buenos Aires is a significant sporting, commercial and economic hub and hosting the Youth Olympic Games here in 2018 would be a great honour that would fit perfectly with our city plan.

“We are very confident that we have the foundations in place to host a dynamic and exhilarating Youth Olympic Games in 2018 creating universal impact worth of a universal movement.”