By 2026, Paris will have established itself as a must-visit destination for international events, thanks to its global reputation, vibrant cultural scene and enduring appeal.
According to a recent image survey carried out by the Benchmark Group, Paris is recognized as one of the most emblematic global cities. People spontaneously replied ‘Paris’ (when asked to name a city they would like to visit for a short break, without being given a list of options), putting Paris at the top of the rankings for the last twenty years during which it has even extended its lead over other major European capitals. This unrivalled reputation is matched by a strong sense of loyalty among tourists, as 68% of visitors are regular visitors or ‘repeaters’.
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has unveiled its annual ranking of conference cities for 2025, placing Paris in 2nd place with 1,740 conferences recorded according to the association’s criteria.
The annual Paris je t’aime – Convention Bureau study confirms a historic year following the Olympic and Paralympic Games:
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Business tourism is a key driver for Greater Paris: in 2025, it generated 33.46% of hotel overnights, i.e. 18.7 million overnights. The area around Porte de Versailles recorded a progression of 20.5% overnights compared to 2023 (year of reference excluding the Olympic Games Paris). The occupancy rate reached 77%, suggesting promising opportunities for growth (81% in total for Paris and 76% for the Greater Paris area). For Plaine Commune, including Saint-Denis, the occupancy rate rose to 67.6% in 2025, i.e. +5.7 points compared to 2024.
Finally, the Greater Paris area boasts 2,388 hotels in 2026, with a further sixty or so projects underway. This momentum reflects the region's enduring appeal and its growth potential for the coming years.
Given the uncertain geopolitical context, it is unlikely that 2026 will beat any records in terms of visitor numbers: the outlook for the second quarter is expected to be down compared to 2025 in the absence of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget and without last year’s ' ‘Beyoncé’ effect (three concerts at the Stade de France), but the third quarter should be boosted by the concerts of Céline Dion, which come on top of an already buoyant period for tourism (with numerous trade shows and events for professionals and the general public).
The one-stop portal for Major Events is a strategic initiative led by Paris je t'aime – Tourist Office and Choose Paris Region – Visit Paris Region, which aims to boost the appeal of Paris and its region by offering event organisers hosting more than 500 participants a centralised, simple and efficient point of contact.
