News
ITALY – ICCA RANKING: ITALY IS THE TOP CONGRESS DESTINATION IN EUROPE AND SECOND WORLDWIDE
Italy confirms its position as one of the global leaders in the meeting industry. According to the new ICCA 2024 (International Congress and Convention Association) ranking, the country hosted 635 international congresses over the past year, recording the most significant growth among the main European competitors, with 82 more congresses compared to 2023. Thus, Italy consolidates its second-place position worldwide, behind only the United States, which leads the ranking with 709 congresses.
The ICCA ranking is the leading global indicator of conference tourism, based on the analysis of international congresses that are held periodically and rotate among at least three countries. It does not measure generic events but initiatives with high organizational complexity and international relevance, which highlight a destination’s ability to be attractive, reliable, and integrated into a global network of relationships, infrastructure, and know-how.
It has always been used as a reference by destinations worldwide to measure their competitiveness. Being included and ranked at the top confirms a destination’s appeal.
In an increasingly competitive context—Europe today accounts for 56% of global conference content—all countries are investing to attract strategic events. Italy is not only keeping pace but is growing more than any other, demonstrating structural maturity and superior competitiveness. The performance of Italian cities also supports this: Rome remains in the global top 10, ranking 9th with 114 international congresses. Milan makes a significant leap, moving from 29th to 14th place with 100 congresses and also stands out as the third city in the world for the average number of participants per congress. Bologna, Naples, Florence, and Turin also performed excellently, bringing the number of Italian cities in the global top 100 to six. Overall, Italy is represented by 20 cities in the ICCA top 300—the highest number worldwide—and by 24 cities in the ICCA Top 400.
Italy recorded the highest growth rate, confirming that the right strategies have been implemented to improve its international positioning.
Italian growth is not only quantitative but also qualitative. Italy ranks third in the world for the number of congresses in the technology and medical-scientific sectors, two key areas for knowledge development and for the long-term economic impact these events bring.
The ICCA 2024 report explicitly recognizes the work done by Convention Bureau Italia, citing the Italian Knowledge Leaders project as a best practice. This initiative was created to identify and promote Italian university professors, scientists, doctors, and professionals involved in the international networks of scientific and academic associations, turning them into ambassadors of Italy in promoting congresses.
“Italy confirms itself as the European leader and the world’s second destination for conference tourism, according to the ICCA 2024 report, getting closer to the United States’ lead and widening the gap with Spain. An extraordinary result that rewards the teamwork between institutions and sector operators, strengthening Italy’s international appeal. Yet another record that confirms tourism’s role as an essential resource for the nation,” commented Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanchè.
“The numbers speak for themselves: Italy is not only competitive but accelerating. We are growing faster than our European competitors and confirming our leadership position globally. Rome and Milan have made important leaps, but the entire system shows maturity, adaptability, and vision. Italy is present in major international congress flows and stands out not only in quantity but also in the quality and impact of its content,” said Carlotta Ferrari (pictured), President of Convention Bureau Italia.
“This result is the outcome of structured work and a shared strategy, which also includes the Italian Knowledge Leaders project, recognized by ICCA as a virtuous example. It is essential to continue along this path, strengthening public-private collaboration and enhancing Italy’s intellectual capital. Remaining at the top requires investment, but also ambition. And it feels like the best is yet to come.”
Convention Bureau Italia thus continues its mission to position Italy at the top of international conference tourism, focusing on innovation, reputation, and quality in a global context that increasingly rewards countries capable of building strong systems.
Comments from Trade Associations
Marina Lalli, President of Federturismo Confindustria: “If Italy ranks first in Europe and second in the world for the number of congresses held, it is thanks to all the operators in this industry who, with hard work and dedication, have shown, even after a pandemic, that they can come back stronger than before. Conference tourism allows for the development of quality tourism and helps overcome the seasonality that characterizes other tourism segments. Moreover, it creates economic benefits for the destinations that host the congresses and contributes to promoting territorial marketing internationally. Events are a key driver of development for destinations: they promote them, increase visitor numbers, and attract new segments.”
Elisabetta Fabri, President of AICA: “The data confirms the ability of the MICE segment to generate value in a transversal and continuous way, stimulating tourist demand throughout the year and involving destinations beyond traditional art and culture circuits. The conference sector is a powerful tool for deseasonalization and a multiplier of attractiveness, which deserves to be supported with coordinated and strategic planning. This result is particularly significant as it has been achieved by successfully tapping into the demand from international business travelers, confirming the competitiveness and appeal of Italian destinations globally. Moreover, MICE represents quality tourism with strong potential for return visits: those who visit Italy for business may return later for leisure, further contributing to the growth and development of the entire sector.”
Gabriella Gentile, President of Federcongressi&eventi: “Results like these are a source of pride for the entire Italian business events industry. The achievement reached by Italy is certainly a driver for further positive developments in the MICE sector and a motivation for destinations to continue and strengthen their investments to maintain and even increase their competitiveness in the international congress market, which is the most impactful in terms of economic benefits for the territories involved. Being a leader in the international association congress segment means enjoying the benefits brought by this market, such as increased media visibility, brand awareness, and the country’s social, cultural, and scientific development. Congresses bring the most significant economic impact to host destinations, with an average daily expenditure per participant far higher than other types of events. This result was made possible by the vision and actions of Convention Bureau Italia, a body that we at Federcongressi&eventi helped establish and will continue to support in its key role as a promoter of Italian conference tourism internationally.”
Bernabò Bocca, President of Federalberghi: “We are looking at a surprising result that puts the excellence of Italy and our sector back on the podium. Italy has regained momentum and is once again winning in an extremely competitive context. Achieving second place in the ICCA ranking is not only a source of pride but also confirmation that we are on the right path, reaffirming our leadership in attractiveness. This achievement is even more significant considering the hardships experienced during the pandemic in the business tourism sector. In this valuable niche—focused on group tourism and business conferences and meetings—the lights had gone out: we were in blackout. Today, we can say the light is back on and, thanks to these results, the spotlight is shining brightly on Italy once again.”
Reactions from Local Authorities
Alessandro Onorato, Councillor for Major Events, Sports, Tourism and Fashion of Roma Capitale: “Rome confirms itself as the top Italian city in the ICCA ranking for the number of international congresses hosted in 2024, and we are proud that it is the driving force of a country—Italy—that is once again first in Europe and second in the world. The economic impact of these events for Rome, 178 million euros, proves the importance of the congress sector. These numbers are no coincidence, but the result of targeted decisions about major events and the conference sector. Over the past three years, we have attended the world’s most important trade fairs to promote our city, which has become dynamic and attractive again. We will continue to support this sector, which offers great added value both economically—given the average daily expenditure per participant of about 281 euros, well above that of regular tourists—and for its potential to spread tourism year-round.”
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan: “Milan’s leap in the ICCA ranking from 29th to 14th place is a result that makes us proud and confirms our international growth trajectory. It’s the fruit of collaborative work uniting institutions, academia, the scientific community, businesses, and tourism professionals—not to mention the effort made to improve connectivity and public transport. Scientific congresses are not just events: they are strategic opportunities to attract talent, generate knowledge, and stimulate quality investment. Milan is increasingly a global innovation hub, and the 2026 Olympics will further boost this momentum.”
Martina Riva, Councillor for Tourism of Milan: “Milan climbs in the ICCA ranking and establishes itself as a global reference destination for congresses, ranking third in average number of participants per event, preceded only by Dubai and Barcelona. This result reflects a city that works in synergy, where tourism interacts with universities, research, and businesses. Major international scientific events are a powerful driver of cultural and economic development and represent a unique opportunity to attract new talent and promote Milan as an open, competitive, and connected city.”
Matteo Lepore, Mayor of Bologna: “We are pleased that in the context of Italy’s strong growth as a destination, Bologna has confirmed its third national position in the ICCA ranking for the third consecutive year. This prestigious recognition rewards the joint efforts of institutions, conference industry professionals, and the entire hospitality supply chain. The quality of services and offerings make Bologna increasingly competitive and attractive—not only for leisure tourism but also for the business segment—supporting a virtuous balance that enhances both. Being a top destination for international events is a source of pride and a stimulus to continue along this path to further strengthen our position of excellence.”
Jacopo Vicini, Councillor for Tourism of Florence: “For over ten years, Florence has invested in developing its congress sector, a strategic asset for our city. Collaboration with the University of Florence on the ambassador program, with hospitals and research centers, and with Firenze Fiera, along with the presence of qualified operators, have long made Florence a top destination for major international association congresses. This remains our focus, and through the work of the Destination Florence Foundation, we aim to be increasingly innovative and secure more congresses in line with the city’s growth.”
Domenico Carretta, Councillor for Tourism of Turin: “The ICCA 2025 ranking results once again confirm Turin’s role as a top international congress destination. Being among the world’s top 100 cities for number of congresses hosted—along with Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Naples—is an important acknowledgment of the teamwork and quality of facilities and professionals in our city. These results reflect the constant growth of a city that has made institutional, academic, and scientific collaboration its hallmark.”
“The congress sector is a strategic area for Turin, which in 2023 recorded over 10,000 events and nearly one million attendees, showing the international community’s trust in our organizational capabilities and the quality of our offerings.”
Giovanna Lucherini, Director of Naples Convention Bureau: “Naples’ rise as one of the most sought-after destinations for congresses is the result of the efforts of a group of private entities who believed in the territory’s potential and resources. This work began over 10 years ago and has led to the city ranking 57th globally in the ICCA ranking and, most notably, fourth in Italy. This achievement gives us great confidence to continue on the path we’ve taken with even greater determination.”