New figures highlight the economic strength of international conferences

New figures highlight the economic strength of international conferences

International conferences make a substantial contribution to urban economies and societal development. This is evident from a new joint study by The Hague & Partners, Rotterdam Partners, and Utrecht & Partners, conducted by research agency Ecorys. For the first time in years, the study provides an up-to-date substantiation of the economic impact of international conference visitors: €637.38 per person per conference day.

Current insights
Until now, the economic significance of conferences was often calculated based on national benchmarks from 2014. That study showed an average daily expenditure of €389 per conference visitor. These outdated figures no longer reflect the current reality of the international conference market. Due to the lack of usable national updates (the next is not expected until 2027), the involved organizations took the initiative to commission new research themselves.

Concrete results
The study shows that the average expenditure per international conference visitor amounts to €737.04 per person per conference day. As part of these expenses—such as international transport costs and expenses for travel and visa documents—are incurred outside the Netherlands, the amount that actually benefits the Dutch economy is lower, at €637.38 per person per conference day. These new figures underline the substantial economic importance of international conferences and provide a more accurate picture than the outdated benchmarks from 2014.

The results indicate that international conference visitors stay in the city for multiple days and spend a large portion of their budget locally. In doing so, they contribute to employment and economic growth in sectors such as hospitality, accommodation, transport, and business services.

Broad relevance for policy and sector
The study offers valuable insights for a wide range of stakeholders, including local, regional, and national governments, destination marketing organizations, and market parties such as hotels and conference venues. The findings provide a solid foundation for policy development, accountability, and future investment decisions related to conference acquisition.

With these new figures, cities and partners now have an up-to-date and reliable foundation to better understand and leverage the economic value of international conferences.