World Event Tourism Congress to be held in Porto in 2025

Porto has been chosen to host, in 2025, the 64th World Congress of the ICCA - International Congress and Convention Association, which will bring together around 1,300 professionals specialising in the event tourism sector (MICE-Meeting, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

The Alfândega Congress Centre will be the venue for the event from 9 to 12 November. The success of this bid is due to the joint efforts of Turismo do Porto e Norte and Turismo de Portugal, in collaboration with Porto City Council, the Alfândega do Porto Congress Centre, and the Iberian Chapter of the ICCA.

"The ICCA congress is the leading event in the meetings and events sector. Year after year, it attracts delegates from all corners of the globe and participants from across the entire community. It's the place where all stakeholders in the business events sector come together, network, and forge friendships that make us strong and successful", said the ICCA's CEO in a statement.

Senthil Gopinath highlights the quality and ambition of Porto's bid. 'The ICCA is thrilled to be staging the world's leading event for the meetings and events industry in Porto, a world-class city that shares ICCA's vision for a dynamic, innovative, and forward-thinking business events industry".

Currently, Porto ranks 23rd globally and 18th in Europe in the ranking of cities hosting conferences. The same statement also notes that it is the second most attractive non-capital city in Europe for event tourism".

The 64th ICCA World Congress marks the return of the event to the European continent, following the previous editions held in Thailand in 2023 and Abu Dhabi in 2024. Panama City will host the ICCA World Congress in 2026.

Strategic conquest

The year 2025 coincides with the 30th anniversary of Associação de Turismo do Porto e Norte, founded in 1995 under the Porto Convention Bureau brand to promote the destination in the MICE segment.

For the president of Turismo do Porto e Norte, Luís Pedro Martins, this 'is a strategic achievement that consolidates Porto and the North as a benchmark destination for congresses, conferences, and meetings'.

The ICCA is the most prestigious organisation in the congress and convention sector, representing the leading professionals involved in organising, transporting, and venues of international events, acting as a global platform for networking, education, professional development, and providing data and statistics on the industry.