EIC Barometer Shows Resilient Industry Demand Despite Rising Uncertainty

The Events Industry Council (EIC) has released the latest edition of its Quarterly Global Business Events Barometer, highlighting continued recovery and sustained long-term confidence across the global business events sector, despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Note: As EIC was set to publish the Q4 2025 Barometer, Oxford Economics prepared an up-to-the-moment Global Travel Outlook for EIC Members and key stakeholders, including scenarios for a prolonged Middle East conflict and surge in oil prices. View the report.

The Q4 2025 Barometer shows global hotel group room nights reaching 97% of 2019 levels, reflecting steady recovery in event delivery. Request for proposal (RFP) activity remains above pre-pandemic benchmarks at 102%, underscoring continued demand.

A key trend emerging from the data is the growing emphasis on long-term planning, with RFP activity for events scheduled more than 12 months ahead continuing to rise, signalling confidence in the enduring value of in-person and hybrid meetings.

“The Q4 2025 data showed, despite uncertainty the year brought to our sector and global society, we continued to see that across our global community the demand for business events remained strong, and their value deeply understood,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council.

“As we move into 2026, while we believe that our sector now matters more than ever, the operating environment has shifted significantly. Last year closed with solid momentum and clear indicators of sustained interest in in-person gatherings, but the early months of 2026 have brought new disruptions that are creating heightened uncertainty for our sector.”

“In the near term we anticipate it will reflect increased volatility related to the war in Iran and the resulting global impact on fuel supply, travel patterns, and economic confidence,” she said. “These emerging pressures underscore the importance of real-time insights and coordinated industry response. We will continue to work closely with our members and partners including Oxford Economics to monitor the situation and provide data-driven updates to help our community navigate this evolving landscape.”

The Barometer also points to persistent cost pressures, with global room rates averaging 139% of 2019 levels, alongside macroeconomic and geopolitical factors continuing to shape near-term activity.

“In the short term, organisations are navigating a complex mix of cost considerations, travel dynamics and global uncertainty,” Calvert added. “At the same time, there is clear, sustained belief in the long-term impact of bringing people together to drive collaboration, innovation and progress.”

The findings come amid heightened geopolitical tension and ongoing global disruption, with conflicts in key regions continuing to influence travel flows, business confidence and investment decisions.

“The rapidly evolving conflict in the Middle East underscores how deeply interconnected global organisations and economies have become,” said Adam Sacks, President, Tourism Economics, Oxford Economics. “Event plans, business decisions, and conversations shift rapidly.

In our latest forecast update, we downgraded our outlook for global travel spending, with impacts concentrated in the Middle East, but higher oil prices and weaker economic prospects also playing a role. Tourism Economics expects global travel to remain resilient: we currently anticipate 6% growth in international arrivals this year — down from 8% previously, driven by the enduring importance of business events and travel.”

View Barometer

View Oxford Economics Global Travel Update

Advancing Research to Strengthen Advocacy

Alongside the Barometer, EIC is progressing its 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study in partnership with Oxford Economics, with findings due in May alongside Global Meetings Industry Day.

“This study is foundational to our industry’s ability to advocate effectively,” said Calvert. “It provides the credible, global data needed to demonstrate not only the economic impact of business events, but their broader societal value.”

The study builds on previous research into the sector’s global economic contribution and will provide updated insights to support policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders worldwide.

A Critical Tool for Industry Decision-Making

Commissioned by EIC and developed with Oxford Economics, drawing on data from Amadeus’ MeetingBroker platform, Cvent and STR, the Global Business Events Barometer remains a key benchmarking and planning tool for destinations, venues, organisers and suppliers worldwide.

By offering real-time insight into global trends, it helps industry leaders navigate uncertainty, manage risk and identify emerging opportunities.

“As an industry, we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to tell our story with clarity, consistency and credibility,” Calvert added. “Together, through research and collaboration, we can ensure business events are recognised for the measurable value they deliver to economies, communities and societies around the world.”
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.