Simon George returns to Prague to find the city’s MICE market re-energised and returning to full health.
Rising demand and rankings
The number of meetings in the Czech capital is on the rise, with booking visibility improving and Prague now holding fifth place globally – and fourth in Europe – in the latest ICCA city rankings, up one place from 2023.
In 2024, more than 5,100 events took place in Prague, representing a 5% year-on-year increase. Looking ahead, the reopening of Prague Exhibition Grounds will further boost the city’s MICE market.
While the Czech economy is performing well, challenges remain, including limited direct flights from the US and wider geopolitical concerns. Ambitions to improve high-speed rail connections could be transformative but remain years away, notes Roman Muška, managing director of Prague Convention Bureau (PCB).
Refurbishment and recovery
During the pandemic, venues and organisers used downtime to refurbish and restructure. The Prague Marriott reopened in 2021 after major works, while the Fairmont Golden Prague – formerly the InterContinental – reopened in 2025.
Muška told CMW: “If we look at the 2024 event figures, we can see that we are almost back to pre-Covid numbers – ‘almost’ meaning that in terms of the number of meetings we are not there yet but in terms of attendees we are.” He predicts 2025 could surpass those levels, with strong Q1 numbers already logged.
Bookings are already secured out to 2029, with some large association congresses confirmed. For the corporate market, lead times are shorter, but the US is showing confidence with bookings made six to 12 months in advance.
The rebound in demand is also evident across the city. Prague Boats marketing director Lucie Nedvědová highlighted strong interest not only from international clients but also Czech institutions, with their electric boats proving popular for launches, networking, and awards ceremonies.
Exhibition Grounds and venue growth
The Prague Exhibition Grounds are set for a soft reopening within 12 months, with the full restoration of the Industrial Palace (Průmyslový palác) planned for 2027.
“It will be a nice addition to the Prague Congress Centre and O2 Universum – it shouldn’t be a competitor – and will be able to host large groups (over 1,000 in the right wing). It is the venue we were missing in the past and I see huge potential for this area,” said Muška.
The Prague Congress Centre (PCC) has now moved under full city ownership and offers 70 halls and lounges with capacity for nearly 10,000, including a main hall seating 2,764 delegates.
Unique new spaces are also enhancing the offer. In June, Prague Planetarium reopened as Europe’s first fully digital LED dome after a two-year renovation. Air access has also improved, with Etihad launching direct Prague–Abu Dhabi flights in June 2025.
Challenges and future outlook
Like many cities, Prague faces challenges: geopolitical turbulence, overtourism, and regulations affecting platforms like Airbnb. Yet the city’s cultural heritage remains a major draw. “If you really bring a specific event to Prague focused on culture or history, you will encourage people to stay longer,” Muška noted.
The PCB is also working with local authorities on a new business brand for Prague, designed to highlight the city as more than castles and bridges – instead as a modern, vibrant hub with evolving architecture and infrastructure.
With its main convention centres achieving record results, new venues coming online, and demand accelerating, Prague’s MICE sector is clearly entering a new era of growth and opportunity.
