Estonia

Tallinn ranks among the world’s top 60 conference cities

June 20, 2025
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The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has released its 2024 global rankings for cities and countries in the conference industry. Tallinn has climbed to 57th place among cities worldwide, while Estonia ranks 44th among countries.

According to Tallinn’s Deputy Mayor for Tourism, Margot Roose, the city’s success in the international conference arena reflects not only the quality of its infrastructure but also the values embedded in the urban environment and the dedication of the people who bring events to life. “ Conferences play an important role in increasing the international visibility of both Tallinn and Estonia, bringing global experts and ideas that enrich our knowledge-based community. Tallinn is able to compete with major international hubs by offering a flexible and welcoming environment that is open to both people and ideas,” Roose noted.

Tallinn rose seven spots compared to last year, hosting 40 ICCA-qualified international association conferences in 2024 – four more than the previous year.

The ICCA ranking includes only international association conferences that rotate between at least three countries, are held regularly, and have over 50 participants, with at least 40% being international attendees.

Evelin Tsirk, Head of Tallinn’s Tourism Department, emphasised that this progress reflects the city’s strategic efforts and strong sector-wide cooperation. “Our international visibility is increasing, and trust in Estonia as a destination is growing. This creates new opportunities for international partnerships, knowledge transfer, and sustainable economic development through conference tourism. It also confirms that Estonian cities can successfully compete with large, traditional conference destinations,” said Tsirk.

In regional comparison, Estonia holds a strong position. In the latest ICCA ranking, Latvia is ranked 55th (Riga 81st), Lithuania 47th (Vilnius 50th), and Finland 20th (Helsinki 25th). Leading the global list are Vienna, Lisbon, Singapore, Barcelona, and Prague. In total, 160 countries are represented in the ranking.

Tallinn also offers a dedicated support scheme for organising international conferences, with the next application round opening on 8 September. Delegates benefit from free public transport throughout the city and the opportunity to purchase the Tallinn Card at a discounted rate.