Barcelona has overtaken London as EMEA’s top destination for meetings and events in 2027, ending the UK capital’s three-year run in the top spot, according to a survey by American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT).
The rankings follow the release of the TMC’s annual Meetings & Events Forecast and are based on an internal survey of 186 Amex GBT meetings professionals. In previous years, respondents assessed destinations on ease of travel and transport; cost-effectiveness for organisers and participants; safety and security; recent public investment and local attractions; the ability to deliver a ‘robust’ attendee experience; and ESG and sustainability attributes.
Barcelona has consistently ranked among the TMC’s top three meetings and events destinations, alongside London and Madrid, which now rank second and third respectively. Paris climbed one place to fourth, while Lisbon entered the EMEA ranking for the first time in fifth place.
Barcelona’s rise comes as European meetings and events professionals expressed “slightly greater concern” than their global peers about cost challenges in 2027, according to Amex GBT’s M&E forecast.
The report said hotel rates across Europe are expected to rise further in the year ahead, driven by “sustained demand” in key European business and meetings hubs.
In North America, Orlando is forecast to rise from fourth place to overtake Las Vegas as the leading city for corporate meetings in 2027. Chicago ranks third, followed by New York and Dallas.
Singapore retains the top spot in Asia-Pacific, followed by Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney.