London has topped Cvent’s latest list of Top Meeting
Destinations for Europe.
And the technology provider's first ranking list since Covid saw W Barcelona win the Top Meeting Hotels for Europe accolade.
The lists, which also include regional rankings for North
America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa, were compiled based on
sourcing activity through the Cvent Supplier Network.
“The critical role the meetings and events industry plays in
bolstering local economies worldwide was never more apparent than when that
business disappeared overnight during the pandemic,” said Graham Pope, Cvent vice
president of international sales. “Fortunately, destinations and hotels alike
have seen a dramatic comeback from pandemic lows as they benefitted from the
pent-up demand for in-person experiences.
“These Top Lists highlight hotels and destinations that have
embraced technology to engage planners and enhance their sales and marketing
efforts, while exhibiting a deep desire to innovate and expand their meetings
and events offerings to better attract MICE business from around the globe.
After four long years, we’re excited to share these insights once again and
provide a resource that is used by event organisers to find great hotels and
destinations and by hospitality professionals looking to set themselves apart
to increase their MICE revenue.”
Cvent Top Meeting Destinations
As pandemic restrictions eased and travel returned,
convention & visitors bureaus worked diligently to promote their cities and
hotels, and revive the industry as quickly as possible, and those efforts are
paying off. London, for example, retained its #1 ranking from 2019 and has more
than 400 hotels in the pipeline, having opened 17 in 2022 alone.
Barcelona (#2) opened eight hotels during the time the
research was undertaken, whilst raising its profile as a leader in sustainable
tourism by becoming the first Biosphere Platinum Destination; and third placed
Paris is gearing up for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games with significant
tourism infrastructure development across the whole of the city. Lisbon,
Portugal (#5) is the sole newcomer to the Top 10.
Three other UK destinations made the top 25, with Manchester at #19, Birmingham at #21 and Edinburgh at #22.
Top 10 Meeting Destinations in Europe
1. London, UK
2. Barcelona, Spain
3. Paris, France
4. Madrid, Spain
5. Lisbon, Portugal
6. Berlin, Germany
7. Amsterdam, Netherlands
8. Rome, Italy
9. Frankfurt, Germany
10. Munich, Germany
“We are truly excited to be the number one Cvent Top Meeting
Destination, confirming once again that London is a global leader in the
meetings and events sector,” said Fiona Plumpton, head of London Convention
Bureau Services. “London is a diverse and inclusive city and offers unrivalled
choices when planning a meeting or event. London is also a global leader in
technology and innovation. Utilising technology allows us to bring London
directly to event planners and enables our team, and those of our partner
hotels and venues, to quickly respond which helps us stay ahead of the
competition.”
Cvent Top Meeting Hotels
Many hoteliers leveraged the downtime in 2020 and 2021 to
invest in upgrades and renovations to prepare their properties for the
post-pandemic travel boom. Newcomers to the Top 10 – including Corinthia Lisbon
(#7), Hilton Vienna Park (#8), InterContinental Athenaeum Athens (#9), and Four
Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon (#10) – each unveiled significant renovations in the
last few years.
Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London was the highest ranked UK hotel at #15.
Top 10 Meeting Hotels in Europe
1. W Barcelona
2. Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference
3. Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
4. Meliá Castilla
5. Hilton Prague
6. Hotel Arts Barcelona
7. Corinthia Lisbon
8. Hilton Vienna Park
9. InterContinental Athenaeum Athens
10. Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Click the links to view all Cvent Top Meeting Destinations and Cvent Top
Meeting Hotels worldwide.
