As a collaborating entity with the MWC, the consortium expresses its full support for the GSMA for taking “a difficult decision that is the result of circumstances beyond its control and a worldwide alert” | Eduard Torres: “The MWC is a very important congress due to its size and impact on our productive fabric. However, our overall assessment of the city as a meetings destination reveals that we have an extremely solid, diversified model that will allow us, once again, to overcome adversity” | Barcelona Convention Bureau is working on 127 congress bids for the coming years

This evening we’re launching a new route touring the city’s Christmas lights and telling passengers about the traditional Catalan festive traditions. The tour is in three languages and has been designed with locals and visitors in mind.

The city has risen two positions in the international ranking by ICCA and becomes the leading global congress organisation city | Turisme de Barcelona, through the Barcelona Convention Bureau, promotes business tourism, with a record economic effect of 1,851 million |Joan Gaspart: “Barcelona has outdone itself in a rather difficult year. Congratulations to everyone who has made this possible, to the companies and particularly to the Convention Bureau | "The Barcelona Convention Bureau programme has generated 41% of participants and 34% of the economic impact of congresses

Several organisations are taking a trip to the USA to promote Barcelona and Catalonia as tourist destinations | Roadshow in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago to present a city and country offering culture, authenticity, sustainability and diversity | USA is the main international source market for Barcelona with a high spending power

Barcelona promotes shopping diversity by incorporating exclusive experiences and boutiques | A new guided tour featuring the city’s most unique boutiques enables visitors to discover the city through neighbourhood commerce and less central shopping areas