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SPAIN – THE EVENTS INDUSTRY HAS AN IMPACT OF NEARLY €40 BILLION, ACCORDING TO FORO MICE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE MICE INDUSTRY
Foro MICE, the employers’ association of the MICE sector in Spain, has carried out a comprehensive analysis of the industry’s impact based on existing knowledge from various studies and research conducted by different institutions and organizations. The goal behind this initiative is to gain a holistic view of the sector’s activity by extracting data from its various segments and drawing broader conclusions.
Foro MICE highlights the strategic role of the MICE sector in the Spanish economy—not only due to its direct impact, but also because of its driving effect on other key sectors such as transport, hospitality, catering, technology, and professional services. This impact is something many institutions aim to measure and understand through various studies and tools.
For instance, the Spain Convention Bureau analyzes data related to congresses and specific trade fairs within its network of cities, incorporating additional information from the National Statistics Institute (INE). ICCA World focuses on a specific typology of recurring congresses to generate its data. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona also develop their own local reports through their Convention Bureaus. Oxford Economics and the Spanish Trade Fair Association (AFE) also contribute valuable insights to the overall ecosystem.
By analyzing this wide range of existing data, Foro MICE has aimed to “capture a snapshot” of the MICE industry in Spain that goes beyond each individual segment. This was done by integrating data from various sources—avoiding duplication and overlap—and applying a methodology that allows for a coherent and transparent view of all sector dimensions.
The conclusion drawn by the association is that the direct economic impact of the MICE industry in Spain in 2024 reached €20.296 billion, while the indirect economic impact is estimated at €39.562 billion.
Foro MICE notes:
“We are fully aware that it is practically impossible to measure every activity in the sector with absolute precision—such as meetings held in small and medium-sized cities, events in universities, technology centers or institutions with data accessibility issues, many corporate events, some incentives, and more local trade fairs. However, this exercise brings us closer to a more representative figure of the reality of our industry.”
With this estimate, Foro MICE aims to reiterate the strategic importance of the meetings industry, not only because of its direct contribution to the tourism GDP, but also for its ability to enhance Spain’s international brand, destination positioning, and the long-term economic, social, and reputational benefits it generates for the country.