Barcelona has achieved a historic milestone in the meetings and congress tourism sector, climbing to third position globally in the prestigious annual ranking by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The city announced this achievement on Tuesday at the IMEX fair in Frankfurt, placing it ahead of all but Lisbon and Paris worldwide.
This ascent reinforces Barcelona's role as a leading international hub for attracting and hosting congresses. The city has now spent 25 consecutive years within the ICCA's top five, a feat no other destination has matched. Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Housing, Finance, and Tourism, welcomed the news. He stated, "These results are excellent news and confirm the Barcelona City Council's strategic commitment to boosting this type of tourism."
Mr Valls added that Barcelona aims to increase the percentage of visitors from this sector by one-third. He highlighted the greater economic impact and diversification benefits these visitors bring. This profile helps attract investment and strengthens strategic sectors like technology and biomedicine. "When we talk about managing tourism, this is exactly what we mean," Mr Valls concluded.
The ICCA report also recognises Barcelona as highly competitive in knowledge and innovation. The city ranks first globally for science-related congresses and second for medical sciences. It also features among the top global destinations for technology events. These results demonstrate the strength of Barcelona's scientific, academic, and business ecosystem. They also show its capacity to attract high-value international events. This leadership confirms Barcelona as a major global capital in the MICE sector. It proves the city's ability to maintain top rankings in an increasingly competitive environment.
Economic Impact and Visitor Profile
Barcelona's MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector generated a direct economic impact of €1.24 billion in 2025. This figure comes from 1,992 meetings held, an increase of 1.2% compared to 2024. These events attracted 683,783 delegates. The Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB) published these figures in its 'Meetings Tourism 2025' and 'Congress Tourism Profile and Habits 2025' reports. These documents confirm the sector's structural strength in Barcelona. The city hosts major events like MWC, ISE, and Smart City Expo. However, the ICCA ranking only counts international rotating congresses involving at least three cities.
Congress, convention, and fair attendees account for 20% of the 16 million tourists who stay overnight in Barcelona annually. This percentage rises to nearly 25% when excluding summer months. The 'Congress Tourism Profile and Habits 2025' report describes the MICE visitor as a highly qualified, international, and experienced professional. Almost 95% of attendees hold university degrees. They have an average of 15.8 years of experience in their field. The average age is 43, and 74.8% of delegates reside outside Spain, mostly from European Union countries. Corporate events lead the volume of meetings, representing 70% of the total. They contributed €506.67 million to the economy.
Extending Stays and Local Benefits
Delegates stay an average of four nights in Barcelona. A significant 75.6% of attendees voluntarily extend their stay. They do this either before, after, or both around the event. This extension leads to increased spending on cultural activities, shopping, and dining. This makes meetings tourism an invaluable socio-economic driver for Barcelona and its businesses. Three out of four congress attendees decide to prolong their stay. One in ten of these also uses the opportunity to visit other municipalities within the province. This demonstrates the wider regional benefit.
Barcelona's attributes as a host city receive high ratings, typically between 8 and 9 out of 10. These include the friendliness of its people, connectivity, and dining options. These data confirm that Barcelona serves as both a congress venue and an attractive destination in itself. This increases its influence on attendance decisions. Many attendees travel with companions and participate in complementary activities. Gastronomy and culture are particularly popular choices.
Future Investments and Infrastructure
Barcelona City Council approved an annual joint investment of €3.2 million last year. This supports the Barcelona MICE Destination Support Programme. The MICE Fund started in 2021 to address the post-pandemic landscape. The council specifically approved €2.8 million for 2026 and 2027. This public-private agreement reaffirms a commitment to a strategic sector. It also promotes a quality tourism model where international events play a key role. The city confirmed 34 congresses for future years during the last year.
The city's congress infrastructure is undergoing significant transformation. Fira de Barcelona's facilities are critical for business tourism. Projects include the remodelling of the historic Montjuïc venue for its centenary. The Gran Via venue is also expanding with a new Hall Zero. This will increase capacity for large events and allow simultaneous hosting of multiple fairs. Hotel Arts Barcelona, W Barcelona, InterContinental Barcelona, Sofitel Barcelona Skipper, and Hilton Diagonal Mar are among hotels continuously renovating their establishments. The City Council, Fira de Barcelona, Barcelona Tourism Consortium, and Barcelona Hotel Guild are collaborating on this strategy. They aim to attract strategic sectors to the city.
Legacy and Long-Term Vision
Beyond immediate economic impact, the Barcelona Convention Bureau (BCB) drives the 'Barcelona Convention Bureau Legacy Program'. This pioneering initiative works with congress organisers. It ensures that the knowledge and research generated leave a positive, tangible, and long-lasting legacy for the city's residents. This support aims to benefit the community directly. For example, it could mean sharing research findings or fostering local talent. This proactive, long-term approach aims to secure the sector's strength and competitiveness for years to come.
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Originally published by Barcelona City Council Press Room. Read original article.
