Por Redaccion 
During the first four months of the year, the city of Murcia has seen a significant increase in attendance for national congresses and professional days. According to data from the Murcia Congress Office, the number of participants has increased by 32% compared to the same period last year.
This rise is accompanied by an increase in the total number of events organized, exceeding hundreds of professional meetings, including twenty national meetings.
Among them, the XXXV National Congress of the Spanish Society of Medicine and Emergency (SEME) stands out. Taking place on June 4th, 5th, and 6th in the city, this event is expected to host over 2,000 participants, setting a record for attendance at a single event in 2025.
«The city of Murcia continues to establish itself as a preferred destination for hosting congresses and professional days, not only due to the quality of its infrastructure but also for the institutional participation and technical work carried out by the Congress Office,» said Jesús Pacheco, Counselor for Tourism, Commerce, and Consumption.
The positive evolution of the sector is also reflected in the diverse range of themes covered by the events. Unlike the previous year, where most congresses focused on health, science, and culture, 2025 has seen a notable diversification towards areas such as sustainability, circular economy, and new technologies.
Events like the XXVIII National Congrocotology Congress, which took place last week with 800 participants, the 2025 Optom Meeting of the General Universities of the Optician-Optometrist Council, and the 71st Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Congress (SEDO) are scheduled for June.
For example, the hotel occupancy during the three days of the Colopocotology Congress saw a full booking, representing an increase of over 25% compared to the same period last year, where a few days also ran simultaneously but on a smaller scale.
During this Congress, the hotel occupancy rates for four-star and three-star hotels exceeded 95% and 97%, respectively, showcasing the multiplier effect of this tourism segment. While most AECP 2025 congress attendees were accommodated in four-star hotels, all accommodation options benefited. Participants in the AECP 2025 Congress represented 75% of the total four-star hotel supply.
The average attendance per event has also increased, driven by congresses like the Spanish Integrated Dentistry (SEOI) gathering 400 professionals in March, the 19th National Congress of Surgical Assistance (AEEQ) with 500 participants, and the upcoming Lavyr conference expecting 600 attendees.
«The tourism meeting not only stimulates the local economic fabric but also contributes to combating tourism leakage and fostering loyalty. Over 90% of participants spend around 260 euros during the Congress,» noted Carmen Antón, President of the Collaborating Members Association of the Murcia Congress (AMCOCM).
Antón emphasized the role of professional meetings in Murcia as part of the work carried out by the Congress face-to-face in aspects of professional assistance to Organizing Committees and the Management of Services available through the Murcia Bureau, as well as the stimulation of city tourism services and their impact on the entire tourism sector value chain.
The Department of Tourism, Commerce, and Consumption is working to position Murcia as a competitive, sustainable, and attractive destination for professional tourism, focusing on public-private collaboration and driving innovation in event organization.