Spain, Portugal, France: that's the trifecta for MICE in 2026, according to forecasts unveiled on 3 December by FCM Travel. Organisers of major business events are particularly keen on Malaga, Marbella, Madrid and Barcelona. These destinations benefit from their potential in terms of infrastructure, accessibility by air and hotel facilities. The result: simplicity and efficiency for organisers. FCM also relies on the Trends & Prospects report (Q1/2024) by the European Travel Commission, according to which Spain welcomed 14 % more international arrivals than in 2019.
Another leading MICE destination, according to FCM, is Portugal, "a safe bet for collaborative formats", mainly thanks to Lisbon and Porto. The destination is particularly attractive for its low rates: "The country also stands out for its good cost control. With an average price of around €127 per hotel night in 2025, it remains one of the most affordable destinations in Western Europe," stress the authors of the report.
Finally, France completes the podium. France owes its third place to its mountain destinations. TMC reports "strong growth in mountain locations, particularly La Clusaz and l'Alpe d'Huez, which have seen a significant increase in demand in both summer and winter". In addition to the modernisation efforts undertaken in several resorts, these destinations offer organisers "environments that are out of the beaten track but close to home, where you can combine work, relaxation and cohesion. Mountain resorts respond well to these expectations, with formats that are easy to organise and suited to groups", add the authors of the report.
Christophe Hamonic, Managing Director France of FCM, says: " Since September, we have seen a clear trend towards more strategic and better anticipated MICE. Companies want to keep important collective time together, while keeping their budgets under control. The answer lies in venues that are close by, simple and well-equipped. ".
