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Roundup: Biggest Mobile World Congress in history closes doors

Xinhua, March 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) closed its doors on Thursday, being the biggest in the event's history according to its organizers.

GSMA, an organization that represents the interests of more than 800 mobile operators and more than 250 companies in the mobile ecosystem, expects the number of visitors exceeds the estimated 90,000 figure, surpassing the figure of the previous edition, 56,000 attendees.

During these four days leading mobile companies presented their new products, company representatives met in the event and reached key agreements to the development of technologies, connectivity and mobility.

They also discuss key issues for the future of connectivity, such as 5G technology.

But this event was not only a technological one, its economic impact on the city of Barcelona and its surroundings in terms of business profits and job creation was also very important.

Organizers predicted an economic impact of about 436 million euros (480 million U.S. dollars) in the city and its surroundings, which would mean 10 percent more than last year.

"So, the Mobile has a direct economic impact of more than 400 million euros in our city, when it comes to the hotel and restaurant industry, transports, apart from the impact on job creation, 12,000 temporary jobs specifically created for the weeks of the Mobile," Jordi Puignero i Ferre, General Director of Telecommunications and Information of the Regional Government of Catalonia told Xinhua.

The event also provides prestige to the city. "The Mobile World Congress is at the moment the most important technological event in the world. So, the fact that Barcelona and Catalonia host this event, it is a great opportunity for us and businesses of this country, because during these days, we are in the spotlight in the field of technology, mobile and smart technologies," Puignero said.

The MWC will especially have an economic impact on restaurants, hotels and transport.

According to Barcelona Hotels Association, hotel occupancy rate on Monday and Tuesday stood at 100 percent while falling to 90 percent on Wednesday and Thursday.

"There are people usually at the hotel, but these days there are even more and the hotel is full, so we have noticed the fair was taking place," Neus Lorente, who works at the reception of Alexandre Hotels Fira Congress told Xinhua.

"Barcelona is a fantastic place to do business," Laurent Frainais from the company Boku told Xinhua. "We have spent a lot of money in the city, well, we have to keep our expenses low, of course, but we went to restaurants, we went to bars and enjoyed the great city of Barcelona, because it is a fantastic city," he added.

Taxi drivers have also increased their profits during these days. Over the last four days there were long queues to get a taxi at the exit of the venue. "I have increased my earnings about 20 or 30 percent," a taxi driver said to Xinhua.

The MWC closed its doors on Thursday waiting another year to set a new record in attendance. In 10 years, the numbers have change significantly, from 51,000 visitors in 2006 to about 90,000 this year.

Also, the number of exhibitors and journalists covering the event have increased. There were 962 exhibitors in 2006 compared to almost 2,000 this year, while there were 1,900 journalists covering the event compared to the current 4,000 of 2015.

The Mobile World Congress will return to Barcelona on Feb. 22 to Feb. 25, 2016. Endit