Italy has confirmed its leadership in Europe’s congress tourism industry, ranking first on the continent and second worldwide in the latest International Congress and Convention Association rankings. The country hosted 635 international congresses in 2024, trailing only the United States with 709 events and widening its advantage over major European competitors such as Spain, Germany, and France.
The results underline the growing global appeal of Italy’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions sector – often referred to as MICE tourism – which has become one of the country’s most strategic tourism assets. Industry analysts point to a combination of world–class infrastructure, cultural attractiveness, accessibility, academic excellence, and institutional cooperation as the main drivers behind Italy’s rise.
