Madrid, Spain | Continuing to Enhance its Global Leadership in Business Tourism

Madrid, Spain’s capital and largest city is continuing to enhance its global leadership in business tourism after being named the World’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination for the seventh time at the World Travel Awards.

Madrid’s rise as a premier global hub for Meetings, Incentive, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, a significant economic engine generating billion of euros in direct and indirect revenue for the city and contributing substantially to the regional GDP.

The city’s success is attributed to several key factors. The city boasts top - tier facilities, including the IFEMA MADRID trade fair center, which hosts several major international events like the International Tourism Fair (FITUR).

The Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB), in collaboration with the City Council, actively promotes the city globally and attracts events in strategic sectors, such as cybersecurity, fintech, and big data.

Madrid’s Adolfo Suárez - Barajas Airport has seen a significant growth in international passengers due to its resumption and addition of air routes, making the city easily accessible from key markets like China and the United States.

The Mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez - Almeida, received on 10th December 2025 at the City Hall the Governing of the Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB), which he recognized for its key role in the international projection of the Spanish capital as a benchmark for business tourism.

The meeting chaired by the the Councillor for Tourism, Almudena Maillo,  made it possible to review the results of the 2025 financial year, analysing the challenges of the sector and present the progress of the strategic project that will guide the activity of Madrid Convention Bureau during 2026 and also served to celebrate the recent award that position Madrid,  for the seventh consecutive year, as the best destination globally for congresses and meetings according to the World Travel Awards.

Madrid’s mayor stressed that this recognition places the city in an unprecedented leadership position, ahead of major competitors such as Dubai, Paris, Seattle, Seoul,  Singapore and Sydney.

In his opinion this success is the result of the joint work of companies, associations and professionals that have contributed to raising the level of Madrid’s offer, supported by criteria of sustainability, social impact and links with strategic sectors including health, technology, sustainable mobility, energy, innovation, fintech, cybersecurity, e - sports and big data.

The official also highlighted Madrid’s capacity to host large - scale events. In 2025, the Spanish capital held an NFL game for the first time and hosted the European Congress of Cardiology, which brought together more than 33.000 specialists.

In addition the city is already working on preparations to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2026 and the UEFA Champions League final in 2027, milestones that confirm the logistical and professional strength of the destination.

In its strategic diagnosis, the Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) pointed out that Madrid has a privileged position in international rankings such as Resonance’s World’s Best Cities Report, where it is among the five best cities in the world.

The study also identifies a global transformation of The MICE sector: while the congress segment becomes more specialized, the corporate segment experiences remarkable growth and represents a decisive opportunity for Madrid.

To respond to this evolution, the consultancy proposes a rectuitment model based on sectoral clusters, collaborating closely with areas such as health, energy, sustainable mobility and innovation.

The Madrid Convention Bureau (MCB) promotional activity in 2025 has been particularly intense. The organization participated in five major international fairs such as IMEX Frankfurt, The Meeting Show and IBTM World, in 17 professional exhibitions and in 25 familiarization trips with strategic markets, in America, Asia and Europe. 

MCB also carried out 31 representation and promotion actions, including the Ambassadors’ Night, international forums and outstanding presentations in Mexico City and Guadalajara.

Link

https://infoturlatam.com/madrid-refuerza-su-liderazgo-global-en-turismo-de-negocios/