Italy has reaffirmed itself as a global leader in the meeting industry. According to the newly released 2024 ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) ranking, the country hosted 635 international congresses last year—an increase of 82 compared to 2023—marking the highest growth among Europe’s top competitors. Italy secures its spot as the second most active country in the world, trailing only the United States, which tops the list with 709 congresses.
The ICCA ranking is the leading global benchmark for the conference tourism sector. It analyzes recurring international congresses that rotate among at least three countries, excluding one-time or local events. These are high-profile gatherings with complex logistics and significant international relevance, serving as proof of a destination’s ability to attract, organize, and integrate within a global network of relationships, infrastructure, and expertise.
It is a reference point for destinations worldwide, with inclusion—and especially a top placement—confirming a location’s competitiveness.
In an increasingly competitive context—Europe accounts for 56% of global congress content—all countries are investing heavily to attract strategic events. Italy is not only keeping up but outpacing the rest, demonstrating strong structural maturity and competitive capability. This is further reflected in the performance of individual cities: Rome remains in the global top 10, ranking 9th with 114 international congresses. Milan has made a significant leap from 29th to 14th with 100 congresses and stands out as the third-ranked city globally in terms of average attendees per congress. Bologna, Naples, Florence, and Turin also perform excellently, giving Italy six cities in the global top 100. In total, Italy has 20 cities in the ICCA Top 300, the highest number in the world, and 24 in the Top 400.
Italy’s surge is the most notable among all countries, confirming the effectiveness of strategies aimed at improving international positioning.
Italy’s growth is not just quantitative, but also qualitative. The country ranks third globally in the number of congresses in both the technology and medical-scientific sectors—two critical fields for knowledge development and long-term economic impact.
The ICCA 2024 report explicitly acknowledges the efforts of Convention Bureau Italia, highlighting the Italian Knowledge Leaders project as a best practice. The initiative aims to identify and empower university professors, scientists, doctors, and Italian professionals active in international academic and scientific associations, turning them into ambassadors for Italy’s congress promotion.
“Italy is confirmed as the leading European and second global destination for conference tourism, according to the ICCA 2024 report—closing in on the U.S. and widening the gap from Spain. This is an extraordinary result that rewards the teamwork between institutions and professionals, further strengthening our international appeal. Yet another record proving that tourism is a vital national asset,” stated Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè.
“The numbers are clear: Italy is not just competitive, but rapidly accelerating. We’re growing faster than our European competitors and confirming our global leadership. Rome and Milan have made significant progress, but the entire system is showing maturity, adaptability, and vision. Italy is firmly embedded in global congress flows and stands out not only in quantity but in the quality and impact of its content,” said Carlotta Ferrari, President of Convention Bureau Italia.
“This success is the result of structured work and a shared strategy, including the Italian Knowledge Leaders project, recognized by ICCA as a virtuous example. It’s essential to continue along this path, strengthening public-private collaboration and investing in the country’s intellectual capital. Staying at the top requires ambition and investment—and it feels like the best is yet to come.”
Convention Bureau Italia continues its mission to position Italy at the forefront of global conference tourism, with a focus on innovation, reputation, and quality in a global context that increasingly rewards integrated systems.
Reactions from Local Authorities
Alessandro Onorato, Rome’s Councillor for Major Events, Sport, Tourism, and Fashion
“Rome remains Italy’s leading city in the ICCA ranking for international congresses hosted in 2024. We’re proud to lead a country that’s once again first in Europe and second globally. These events have generated an economic impact of €178 million for Rome, demonstrating the importance of the conference sector. These results are no accident—they reflect targeted efforts in major events and congress tourism. Over the past three years, we’ve promoted our city at the world’s most important trade shows. Rome is once again dynamic and attractive, and we’ll continue supporting a sector with a high economic return: the average daily spend per attendee is €281—far above the average tourist—while also helping to reduce seasonality.”
Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan
“Milan’s jump from 29th to 14th place in the ICCA ranking is a source of great pride and confirms our international growth trajectory. It’s the result of collaborative work uniting institutions, academia, the scientific community, businesses, and tourism operators, along with major efforts to improve transport and connectivity. Scientific congresses are not just events—they’re strategic opportunities to attract talent, generate knowledge, and encourage quality investment. Milan is increasingly a global hub for innovation, and the 2026 Olympics will further strengthen this role.”
Martina Riva, Milan’s Tourism Councillor
“Milan rises in the ICCA rankings and asserts itself as a global reference for conference tourism, ranking third for average number of attendees per event, behind only Dubai and Barcelona. This result reflects a city that works in synergy, where tourism connects with universities, research, and businesses. Major international scientific events are powerful engines for cultural and economic development and provide us with a unique opportunity to attract talent and promote Milan as an open, competitive, and connected city.”
Matteo Lepore, Mayor of Bologna
“We’re pleased that Bologna has maintained its position as the third-ranking Italian city in the ICCA ranking for the third consecutive year. This prestigious recognition rewards the coordinated efforts of institutions, the conference sector, and the entire hospitality supply chain. Our services and offerings make Bologna increasingly competitive, not only for leisure but also for business tourism, creating a virtuous balance. The city’s growing appeal for international events is a source of pride and a motivation to continue strengthening our position of excellence.”
Jacopo Vicini, Tourism Councillor of Florence
“For over ten years, Florence has been investing in the development of its conference sector—a strategic asset for our city. Collaboration with the University of Florence, local hospitals, research centers, and Firenze Fiera, along with the presence of skilled operators, have long made Florence a hub for major international association congresses. This is our focus going forward, and through Destination Florence Foundation, we aim to be even more innovative and attract more events aligned with our city’s development.”
Domenico Carretta, Tourism Councillor of Turin
“The ICCA 2025 results once again confirm Turin’s status as a premier international conference destination. Being among the world’s top 100 cities for number of congresses—alongside Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Naples—validates the team effort and the quality of our infrastructure and professionals. These outcomes reflect the steady growth of a city that’s made collaboration between institutions, universities, the convention bureau, and the academic and scientific communities its hallmark. In 2023 alone, Turin hosted over 10,000 events and nearly a million attendees—clear signs of global trust in our organizational capabilities and offerings.”
Giovanna Lucherini, Director of Naples Convention Bureau
“Naples’ rise as one of the most sought-after congress destinations is the result of a dedicated group of private stakeholders who believed in the region’s potential. A journey that began over ten years ago has positioned the city 57th in the ICCA global ranking and fourth in Italy. This achievement fills us with confidence and motivates us to continue along this path with even greater determination.”
