Executive Summary of Estonia’s Meetings Potential Report, 2013
The Right Solution, in partnership with TEAM Tourism Consulting, was appointed to undertake a study into the potential for Estonia to increase demand for international congresses and conventions, and to examine to what extent a new congress centre would help increase demand.
The study focused on Tallinn since this is where Estonia’s main potential within international conference markets lies. The infrastructure for Tallinn, access, hotels and greater visitor offer means it is more easily able to succeed in the competitive international conference marketplace. However the benefits will be realised to Estonia overall and this is discussed later in the report.
Key recommendations
In order for Estonia to increase the number of international association conferences it attracts per year there is a need for:
- An International Convention Centre providing purpose designed facilities suited to the needs of international associations.
- Increased air routes worldwide and frequency of options.
- Increased hotel stock.
If the above recommendations were implemented the rewards for Estonia could be great with additional spend to the value of €15 million and creation of 404 jobs.Conference delegates, particularly international ones are high spending visitors. Conference tourism brings significant other benefits to a destination. For example it typically compliments the seasonality of leisure tourism, contributes to overall place marketing and inward investment, enhances the quality of life for residents, and contributes to knowledge capital within a city and country. The country’s universities and hospitals have the opportunity to promote their leading academics and specialists through conferences, raising the international profile of the country overall.