The Business of Events (TBOE) Global Destination Report 2026 reveals that destination competitiveness is increasingly driven by economic value, connectivity, policy support and measurable impact rather than venue capacity alone.
The report, developed
with VisitScotland Business Events and SFA Connect, highlights a resilient
sector navigating funding pressures, limited resources and geopolitical
uncertainty.
Findings show that 68% of destinations generated more than
€25 million ($28.5 million) in annual economic value from business events in
2025, with 17% exceeding €500 million.
Around 90% of destinations reported stable or rising event
volumes, while 67% recorded increased economic value despite 80% facing
unchanged or reduced budgets.
The report identifies team capacity as a major challenge,
with 58% of destinations saying their resources are insufficient to meet
objectives.
Government support also remains a concern, with 60% of
respondents reporting little change in policy backing.
Geopolitical issues are having a growing impact, with 86% of
destinations reporting moderate to significant effects on event attraction and
delivery.
The report concludes that destinations must strengthen
evidence of economic and wider societal impact to secure greater recognition,
investment and long-term policy support for business events.
A spokesperson for The Business of Events commented: “The 2026 Global Destination Report helps industry stakeholders understand current challenges and opportunities in the business events sector, while also tracking trends over time. As our report shows, although the sector generates significant economic value for destinations, it continues to face budget and resource constraints, as well as an advocacy gap in ensuring this value is fully reflected in policymaking. We’re proud to provide information that destinations can use to secure funding and help make the case for the essential role business events play in economic and social development.” -TradeArabia News Service