Cvent Announces Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels in the Middle East & Africa for 2026

Cven today unveiled its 2026 rankings of Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels for the Middle East & Africa (MEA). Cvent’s rankings have become indispensable for event planners, highlighting top-of-the-line cities, hotels, and venues for all their event needs. The annual lists are also issued regionally for North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America & Caribbean.

The destination and hotel rankings are determined based on insights gleaned from more than $20B of global sourcing and request-for-proposal (RFP) activity through Cvent’s sourcing platforms in 2025, including a record-breaking amount through the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the world’s largest venue sourcing marketplaces. The unparalleled volume of business sourced in 2025 underscores the high demand for quality, in-person touchpoints. Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, planners across the region remain engaged and continue to prioritise face-to-face meetings, underscoring the enduring value of in-person connection.

Cvent Top Meeting Destinations | The Middle East & Africa

The top three destinations remained unchanged: Dubai, UAE (#1), Istanbul, Türkiye (#2), and Abu Dhabi, UAE (#3), maintaining the strong positions they have held in recent years. Marrakech rose one spot to #4 and Riyadh climbed one place to #5, while Doha moved up one position to #6. The biggest movers were Cairo, which surged five places to #8, and Casablanca, which climbed four spots to enter the top 10 for the first time — reflecting the growing international appeal of North African destinations for MICE events.

Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) said, “Dubai is proud to once again be recognized as the leading meetings destination in the MEA region, reaffirming the city’s position as a global hub for business events and innovation. This achievement reflects the visionary leadership and ambitious strategy that continue to drive Dubai’s growth and global competitiveness. International planners choose Dubai for its world-class infrastructure, seamless connectivity, advanced technology ecosystem, and proven ability to consistently deliver large-scale, high-impact events with excellence. Our integrated network of venues, hotels, airlines, and service partners enables us to create exceptional experiences that meet the evolving needs of the global business events industry.

“Through strategic collaborations and innovative platforms such as Cvent, we continue to enhance Dubai’s visibility and strengthen meaningful connections with international planners and stakeholders worldwide. This recognition is a testament to the strength of our partnerships and Dubai’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of the business events sector while delivering long-term economic impact and sustainable value.”

Cvent Top Meeting Hotels | The Middle East & Africa

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai retained the #1 position, reinforcing its position as a premier venue for large-scale meetings and conferences. Conrad Dubai made a strong move, rising six places to #2, while Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights climbed three spots to #3. A notable development this year is the significant representation of Istanbul in the top 10: InterContinental Istanbul (#6), Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus (#8), Swissôtel The Bosphorus (#9), and Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center (#10), reflecting Istanbul’s rapid growth as a MICE powerhouse and the strength of Türkiye’s group business market.

Gerrit Gräf, General Manager of JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai said, “We are honored to be recognized as the #1 Meeting Hotel in the Middle East & Africa by Cvent for the second year running. It’s a strong reflection of the scale, consistency, and precision our team delivers every day, as well as the trust our partners continue to place in us. We value our partnership with Cvent and the role it plays in connecting us with the global meetings and events community. More broadly, this recognition speaks to the continued confidence in Dubai’s events industry, a market that continues to evolve, grow, and set new benchmarks globally.

“As we move into the next phase of the hotel’s journey, with our recently announced enhancement programme, we look forward to welcoming our event partners to an even more elevated experience in the years ahead, building on what we do today, and taking it further.”

View the full list of Top Meeting Destinations and Top Meeting Hotels worldwide here.