The Ministry of Tourism reported that Mexico strengthened its positioning as a competitive destination for international congresses and conventions, after the country climbed 5 positions in the World Ranking 2025 of the International Association of Congresses and Conventions (ICCA), going from 26th to 21st place globally.
The ICCA ranking is one of the main world references to measure the competitiveness of countries in attracting congresses of international associations, a segment of high value for the Meeting Industry.
The general director of Tourism Product Innovation – Marcela Camacho Lozano, released the data after participating in IMEX Frankfurt 2026, held from May 19 to 21 in Frankfurt, Germany, one of the most relevant international meetings for the global industry of meetings, events and incentives.
“This result is a reflection of the coordinated work between government, private initiative and destinations. Climbing five positions in the ICCA ranking demonstrates the capacity and maturity that Mexico has for the development of meetings, as well as the infrastructure, connectivity and talent to compete with the greats of the world,” said Marcela Camacho Lozano.
This advance was achieved thanks to the holding of 191 international associative congresses in national territory during 2025, a figure that consolidates the country as the fourth place in the American continent, only below the United States, Canada and Brazil.
Congress participants take advantage of these events to visit the most iconic places in Mexico, among which is the Chichén Itzá, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
IMEX Frankfurt
IMEX Frankfurt annually brings together buyers, convention offices, destinations, venues, hotels, suppliers and specialists in the sector, so it constitutes a strategic platform to strengthen Mexico’s presence in the international congress and convention market.
During the meeting with ICCA, it was announced that Mexico climbed five positions globally thanks to the reports integrated by the Directorate of Tourism of Reunions, with information provided by the Tourism Secretariats, which reflects the importance of maintaining a coordinated strategy of registration, promotion and attraction of international events.
As part of the work agenda at IMEX Frankfurt, Marcela Camacho Lozano participated in the Political Forum (Place Leaders Forum), held meetings with representatives of the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO) and with the Consulate of Mexico in Frankfurt, in addition to leading the presentation and welcoming German tour operators.
Likewise, appointments were attended with potential prospects to attract congresses and conventions to Mexico, and strategic alliances were promoted with the congress and convention offices of the United States and Canada. Guadalajara, Mexico City and the Mexican Caribbean participated in the Mexico Pavilion, strengthening the country’s presence before buyers, associations and professionals in the sector.
The Reunion Industry is a priority as an economic engine, by generating qualified jobs, boosting tourism activity in different seasons, promoting innovation and projecting the best image of Mexico worldwide. In that sense, the meetings of international associations represent a strategic tool to attract knowledge, talent, investment and benefits to more destinations in the country.
The regional director for North America of the International Association of Congresses and Conventions (ICCA), Shawn Cheng, highlighted Mexico’s positioning: “Mexico’s performance in 2025 is a strong signal for the global community of associations. Its position among the top 30 worldwide, with 191 meetings in 36 cities, is no coincidence; it reflects a strategic investment in connectivity, hospitality and international participation. We congratulate Mexico and look forward to the country’s growth,” he said.