Atout France, Coésio and UNIMEV have published a study highlighting new indicators* relating to the economic benefit of conventions and conferences in France. This research confirms the growing importance of such events for the country’s economy. In 2023, France hosted 2,300 conferences and conventions, generating over 2 billion euros of economic benefits, in so doing strengthening the attractiveness of destinations across France while at the same time bringing direct benefits to the regions hosting them.
Significant economic impact for French regions
Spending by delegates and organisational costs are of sizeable economic benefit for the country’s regions. In 2023, a total of 1.24 billion euros was spent by participants on their stay (including accommodation, food, local transport), while 556 million euros were spent on the organisation of these events and 187 million on travel to the destination itself.
The key role of international delegates
International participants represent a fifth of all delegates but contribute 41% of total economic benefit in terms of tourism thanks to a higher average spend. One foreign delegate spends €1,303 per stay on average – 1.6 times more than a French attendee. A longer average stay (3.25 days compared with 2 days for French delegates) adds to this financial benefit, making international conferences and conventions a strategic asset for French destinations.
Ile-de-France and other French regions: a balanced division of activity but unequal economic benefit
Although the Ile-de-France region hosts 35% of the total number of conventions and conferences, it receives 59% of the total financial benefit in terms of tourism thanks to a higher average spend per delegate and per stay (€724 in Ile- de-France versus €553 in other host towns and cities). In the French regions, conferences and conventions also play an essential role in terms of their attractiveness, thus contributing to a region’s economic dynamism.
Conferences and conventions – drivers in enhancing the attractiveness of a destination and for creating jobs
Conferences and conventions play an important role for a destination’s attractiveness in relation to tourism: 79% of delegates take part in cultural activities and 72% express a desire to return to the host town or city as a tourist. The study also highlighted the fact that 85% of conference-related overnight stays are in hotels or tourist accommodation in the host region. As a result, these events play a key role in long-term local employment by ensuring regular work, especially during what are traditionally considered slower “leisure-focused” times of year.
Organisational spending that supports the local economy
Budgets allocated to the organisation of conventions and conference bring financial benefits across the entire events sector. On average, 62% of spending is allocated to the hiring/rental of event venues, 23% to general installation costs and 8% to receptions/catering, which enhances the dynamism of those working the local economic eco-system.
Conventions and conferences – drivers for Frances’s dynamism and its attractiveness as a destination
Conventions and conferences contribute to the global appeal of French destinations, provide impetus for the local economy, and support local long-term employment throughout the year. This market is a strategic area of activity which showcases the sectors of excellence within each region and acts as one of the levers in a strategy aimed at highlighting France’s attractiveness as a destination.
*The last study on the economic impact of conventions conferences was carried out in 2012 by a group of leading public and private players within the sector.
