ICCA Rankings
The US and Paris head ICCA Rankings again
IN THE LATEST ICCA RANKINGS FOR COUNTRIES AND CITIES HOSTING QUALIFYING ROTATING ASSOCIATION MEETINGS , THE USA AND PARIS TOPPED THE LISTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRY AND CITY CATEGORIES
T he USA and Paris maintained their leadership in the new rankings lists published by the International Congress and Convention Association ( ICCA ). The latest edition of the annual ICCA Rankings – a joint effort with ICCA members and ICCA ’ s Research Team and based on data compiled from 10,000 qualifying meetings that rotate location and took place over the course of 2023 throughout the world – are distinguished by increased continental diversity in the Top 20 country ranking . That is because , besides European , Asian and North American countries , Latin America and Oceania were also represented compared to 2022 . Additionally , the findings included the addition of an Asian destination into the year ’ s top five spots .
ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath said : “ Our Research Team has performed exceptionally in compiling this comprehensive data . It ’ s a cornerstone for our association , providing invaluable insights that empower our members and enhance our community ’ s strategic positioning .”
Paris is the world ’ s number one city meetings destination , according to the ICCA City Rankings 2023 , having hosted 156 qualifying meetings . The French capital was closely followed by Singapore ( 152 ), in second place , with
Lisbon ( 151 ) hot on its heels in third .
Over the past 10 years , Paris has always ranked in one of the top three places in the ICCA rankings , and in first place seven times .
Corinne Menegaux , managing director of national tourist office Paris je t ’ aime , said : “ We ’ re delighted with this result , but above all proud to see that our efforts to support congresses in our areas of excellence are bearing fruit . The launch of our Hospitality Manifesto , a collective commitment developed with tourism professionals , optimises and strengthens the hosting of major events in our region .”
With more than 1,600 signatories , the Paris je t ’ aime Hospitality Manifesto proposes concrete commitments in 2024 , broken down by sector of activity around three structuring axes : supporting the destination ’ s ecological transition , optimising the visitor experience , encouraging the local ecosystem . To support the deployment of this Manifesto , particularly during the Olympic Games , Paris je t ’ aime is setting up a network of information relays with Parisian kiosks and a web app : my . parisjetaime . com .
Matthieu Buronfosse , executive director of the VIPARIS Sales and Marketing Division , said : “ VIPARIS is extremely proud to contribute to Paris ’ s reputation and to host dozens of international congresses at its venues every year , particularly at the Palais des Congrès de Paris , which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year . VIPARIS is also making a concrete commitment alongside Paris je t ’ aime , as a signatory of the Hospitality Manifesto , to ensure the best possible welcome for all international visitors .”
Paris also offers a new carbon footprint calculator free to event organisers .
In its own annual survey of convention activity in the French capital , Paris je t ’ aime recorded :
• 800 conventions ( compared with 714 in 2022 ) for around 1 million attendees .
• 47 % of conventions were international ( compared with 46 % in 2022 )
• Some 40 congresses held their first event in Paris .
The city is also focusing strongly on its perceived sectors of excellence : design and creativity , technology , health , culture , sport and gastronomy – all areas that are powerful levers for attracting conferences and professional events .
Vienna ( 141 ) and Barcelona ( 139 ) made up the rest of the ICCA City Rankings top five , in a Top 10 dominated by European cities . Seoul , which occupies 10th spot , was the only other Asian city apart from Singapore in the top 10 , which included Prague , Rome , Madrid and Dublin .
Second ranked city , Singapore is clearly a star in the East and its confirmation of its highest-ever
ICCA Country Ranking 2023 ( top 10 ) |
1 . |
U . S . ( -) |
2 . |
Italy (+ 1 ) |
3 . |
Spain ( -1) |
4 . |
France (+ 1 ) |
5 . |
Germany ( -1) |
6 . |
UK ( -) |
7 . |
Japan (+ 6 ) |
8 . |
Netherlands (+ 1 ) |
9 . |
Portugal ( -2) |
10 . |
Canada (+ 1 ) |
ICCA City Ranking 2023 ( top 10 ) |
1 . |
Paris (+ 2 ) |
2 . |
Singapore (+ 11 ) |
3 . |
Lisbon ( -1) |
4 . |
Vienna ( -3) |
5 . |
Barcelona ( -1) |
6 . |
Prague ( -1) |
7 . |
Rome (+ 7 ) |
8 . |
Madrid ( -2) |
9 . |
Dublin (+ 2 ) |
10 . |
Seoul (+ 8 ) |
26 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / ISSUE 131