ICCA’s latest rankings reflect an increasingly competitive global marketplace for association meetings with Tokyo, Singapore and Seoul singled out as strong destinations in Asia for attracting tech events.
The International Convention and Congress Association released its 2024 research findings this week at IMEX Frankfurt with rankings based on the number of ICCA-recognised meetings having taken place in each destination.
Though Asia placings in the country and city rankings were mixed following the surge seen in 2023, as destinations shook off the pandemic slump, ICCA said association activity across the regions was getting stronger.
ON TECH EVENTS…
While Asian technology hubs like Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul are positioned strongly to attract meetings in this subject sector, opportunities exist for European cities with 5G testbeds (Helsinki, Stockholm), North American innovation corridors (Toronto, Montreal, Boston), and Middle Eastern smart cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi).”
ICCA also highlighted its progress in strengthening connections with business event organisations in mainland China, Macao, Sarawak and Thailand with training and other activities aimed at attracting association events.
“It’s encouraging to witness a significant rise in association meetings in the Asia Pacific region, as countries / territories like China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Macau and Sri Lanka have all shown growth relative to previous years. At the city level, Singapore ranked 3rd globally, while Japan maintained its position among the top 10 countries worldwide,” ICCA stated in its Globewatch Business Analytics report, which lists the rankings.
“Destinations understand that association biddings secure future business, and this year’s rankings highlight the growth of many emerging cities in Asia Pacific, one of the world’s fastest-developing regions.”
The destinations that understand the real value of the meetings and events industry will be the ones able to forge a more sustainable growth for their societies.”
– ICCA Globewatch Analytics
GLOBAL RANKINGS – HOW DID ASIA PERFORM?
Vienna, Lisbon and Singapore topped the city table globally followed by Barcelona, Prague, Paris, Seoul, Bangkok, Rome and Athens following up in the Top 10.
Hong Kong was ranked joint 20th with 86 ICCA-recognised meetings, alongside Dublin and Istanbul, but above Berlin and Stockholm.
Sydney gained the No.30 spot with one meeting ahead of Melbourne which had 62 meetings. Kuala Lumpur and Taipei shared 26th place with 78 meetings each.
Other Asia cities in the Top 100 were Bali in 38th place with 54 meetings; Kyoto in 42nd with 49; New Delhi in at 61st with 39 meetings, putting the Indian capital ahead of Shanghai at 64th and 76th placed Beijing and Macao. Doha also shared the 76th spot.
Busan was placed 88th alongside Manila with 28 meetings each. Osaka shared the 94th spot with Brisbane followed by Jeju at 98th – a placing the Korean island shared with New York City.
Ho Chi Minh City took 105th place with 24 meetings alongside Perth and Sapporo followed by Auckland at 112th with 23.
LET’S NARROW IT DOWN… ASIA PACIFIC
In the Asia Pacific Country/Territory Rankings, Japan was ichi ban with 428 meetings in 2024, followed in the Top 3 by China with 249 and South Korea with 243 . Australia, Thailand, Singapore and India filled out the Top 10 along with Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Singapore topped the Asia-Pacific city table followed by Seoul and Bangkok with Bali at 10th place and Kyoto at 11th. Tokyo took 4th place with 97 meetings followed by Hong Kong (86). Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Sydney and Melbourne occupy the the rest of the city Top 10.
Ho Chi Minh City took 21st spot while Beijing shared 14th place with Macao. Busan and Manila came in at No.16 followed by Brisbane and Osaka at joint 18th with Jeju at 20th.
MEETINGS ALL OVER… FROM BHUTAN & UAE TO LAOS & MALDIVES
(Snapshot of Asia in World Country / Territory ranking)Japan 7th with 428
China 11th with 249
South Korea 12th with 243
Australia 17th with 227
Thailand 25th with 158
Singapore 27th with 144
India 28th with 141
Taiwan 29th with 133
UAE 36th with 104
Indonesia 37th with 98
Hong Kong 40th with 86
Vietnam 46th with 60
New Zealand 48th with 51
Macao 57th with 33
Sri Lanka 76th with 15
Nepal 81st with 11
Mongolia 96th with 6
Laos 102nd with 5
Cambodia 109th with 4
Fiji 123rd with 2 and Bhutan 134th with 1
