Portugal remains one of the most preferred destinations for congresses and conventions, according to the Business Analytics 2024 Country & City Rankings released this month by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The country ranks 9th globally and 7th in Europe.
Regarding city performance, Lisbon has regained 2nd place in the global ranking and maintains its 2nd place in the European ranking, a position it has held since 2019. The city of Porto, which will host the 64th ICCA Congress this November, has reached 34th place in the global ranking and 22nd in the European ranking.
The ICCA report focuses on in-person meetings, as these remain the cornerstone of the events industry, driven by knowledge sharing, human interaction, and economic impact.
These top rankings reflect the country's commitment, along with Turismo de Portugal, to enhancing its attractiveness for hosting events. A key initiative is the Portugal Events incentive programme, designed to support the attraction and organisation of associative and corporate events in Portugal. In 2024, 238 applications were submitted, regarding associative and corporate events — an increase of 63 compared to the previous year. This financial support, managed by Turismo de Portugal, prioritised events that contributed to the enhancement of the tourism experience and/or the development of the national economy, demonstrating their relevance to the sector’s sustainability.