Athens, May 21, 2025 – Athens has been ranked among the world’s top 10 congress destinations, according to the latest report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The city rose five places to 10th globally and now ranks 7th in Europe—its highest position to date—highlighting its growing influence in the global meetings industry.

This international recognition was announced on May 20 at IMEX Frankfurt, one of the most significant global trade shows for the MICE sector. The 2024 ICCA report is based on verified data from over 11,000 association meetings held around the world.

At This is Athens–Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), we are proud to support the city’s strategic growth as a top-tier meetings and events destination. Through consistent destination marketing, international partnerships, and local stakeholder engagement, our team works year-round to promote Athens as a place where culture, innovation, and connectivity converge.

The rise in global rankings reflects Athens’ sustained efforts to grow its congress tourism sector and invest in infrastructure and sustainability. In 2024, Athens hosted 111 ICCA-qualified international meetings—joining the ranks of cities like Vienna, Singapore, Barcelona, and Paris.

This performance is the result of long-term collaboration between the City of Athens, the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency (ADDMA), and our partners across the local tourism, hospitality, academic, and innovation sectors. Through the This is Athens initiative, we continue to raise awareness of Athens as a resilient, modern, and welcoming destination for conferences and corporate events.

The congress sector contributed significantly to the city’s economy last year, welcoming more than 40,300 delegates and generating over €94 million in direct spending. While ICCA rankings only account for a portion of the broader meetings market—specifically association events that meet strict criteria—the economic and reputational impact for the city is far greater.

Showcasing Athens to the World: This is Athens–Agora 2025
A key highlight of our 2024 activity was This is Athens–Agora 2025, the city’s flagship B2B tourism marketplace. Held in April at the historic Zappeion Megaron, the event brought together over 90 international buyers from across Europe, North America, China, and India for more than 2,500 pre-arranged meetings with 120 local tourism professionals. Agora has become a key driver of new partnerships and business opportunities, showcasing Athens as a vibrant destination for both leisure and professional travel.

Focus on Key Knowledge Sectors
The ICCA report also reveals that most global association meetings in 2024 were mid-sized (150–999 attendees), with strong demand in sectors such as Medicine, Technology, Science, Education, and Industry. These are all sectors where Athens has growing expertise and institutional support, reinforcing its appeal as a location for knowledge-driven events.

At This is Athens–CVB, we remain committed to supporting the continued growth of congress tourism, working alongside our partners to ensure Athens remains at the forefront of global destinations for meetings, innovation, and cultural exchange.