Paris, Vienna Viewed as Meetings Meccas, Group Reports

Where do business travelers like to gather? According to the annual rankings of the International Congress & Convention Association, Vienna and Paris tied for first place worldwide, each hosting 139 association events in 2008.

Barcelona came in third with 136 events, up from its No. 5 spot last year. Singapore and Berlin came in fourth and fifth, respectively, with 100 events.

The North American market played a key role in these rankings, according to Marketing Challenges International, the North American marketing and sales agency for Barcelona, Berlin and Vienna.

The company specializes in marketing international destinations, venues and organizations to the leisure and business travel market segments in North America.

It provides its services to North American travel trade professionals for free and in addition to the aforementioned cities represents Brussels and London as well as a number of non-European destinations. Visit the website at http://www.mcintl.com/.