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4th world title for Cannes

Voted Best Destination in the World 2025 for hosting and organising events and festivals

Cannes is reinforcing its status as an international benchmark. The city has just been voted Best Destination in the World for hosting and organising events and festivals at this year’s World Travel Awards, held in Bahrain.rémonie 2025 des World Travel Awards organised this year in Bahrain, a veritable global barometer of tourism quality. This is the 4thᵉ consecutive year that Cannes has won this prestigious award, an exceptional achievement that adds to the five successive wins of the equivalent title at European level. Never before had a French city received this distinction as the best destination in Europe, let alone the world, before Cannes. The effectiveness of a model that is unique in the world: This worldwide recognition is no accident. It validates a bold strategic vision that makes Cannes much more than a destination: it’s a veritable ecosystem where decision-makers, creators, innovators and artists from all over the world come together.

Published on 8 December 2025
David Lisnard

“This recognition rewards the work carried out by the teams at the Palais, the city and all the socio-professionals in hosting major events. It also illustrates the strength and uniqueness of the Cannes model. Our city is internationally recognised as a crossroads for decision-makers, creators, innovators and investors from all over the world. Our success is based on an ambitious and sustainable strategy, underpinned by a constant commitment to quality and by the strength of our infrastructure, with the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, France’s leading convention centre, at the heart of this dynamic, and the involvement of local tourism professionals whom I would like to salute. By consolidating our appeal, innovating on the ecological and digital fronts, anticipating economic and cultural developments, and supporting our local industries, Cannes is moving forward in the service of its prosperity and its identity, which is both local and global“.

Mayor of Cannes
Jean-Michel Arnaud

“This worldwide distinction pays tribute to the commitment and performance of all those who work every day to raise Cannes’ international profile. It confirms the pre-eminent position of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès – a company with a mission since 2022 – and illustrates its raison d’être: Welcoming the world sustainably. Throughout the year, we host and organise a wide variety of events, from trade shows and conventions to cultural and tourist events, contributing to the dynamism of the local economy and enriching everyone’s experience. In 2026, we will continue to pursue our ambition to innovate, raise our standards and support our customers with exemplary quality of service.

Chairman of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes
Cannes élue Meilleure Destination au Monde 2025
Cannes élue Meilleure Destination au Monde 2025
Cannes élue Meilleure Destination au Monde 2025

The pillars of success

Cannes’ international leadership owes nothing to chance. It is based on a collective dynamic and on a series of structuring investments that strengthen the destination’s competitiveness and appeal every year:

  • Ongoing investment in the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, enhancing the experience for organisers and visitors alike. In 2025, several major projects have been completed: the installation of Dolby Atmos in the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumière, offering premium cinema-level sound quality, as well as the commissioning of a new GSM network, developed in partnership with mobile operators to guarantee optimal connectivity during major events.
  • An ecosystem of supportive and committed players, including hoteliers, restaurateurs, private beaches, taxis, shops and institutional partners. This close collaboration means that we can offer a uniform, seamless level of hospitality tailored to the requirements of the most prestigious international events.
  • A responsible and exemplary approach to hospitality, supported in particular by the ” Welcome to Cannes ” charter, which encourages and structures the adoption of sustainable practices by local professionals in terms of hospitality, mobility and environmental management.
  • The arrival and development of strategic events in high-growth sectors. In 2025, hostingEthCC for the first time – one of the world’s leading blockchain events – was a major success. The ongoing development of events such as WAICF (artificial intelligence), Data Cloud and other technology events is also strengthening Cannes’ position as a benchmark destination for innovative industries.
  • A destination in the throes of transformation, supported by major public investment: renovation of cultural facilities (notably La Malmaison), redevelopment of urban spaces, modernisation of beaches including the 9 new Beaches du Midi, which will be harmonised and embellished by 2025, development of Cannes’ exceptional venues for hosting events.
  • Private establishments are moving upmarket, confirming the lasting confidence of the hotel sector and operators in Cannes’ appeal.

A high-performance model

With all these assets, Cannes is one of the few destinations capable of reconciling: – a constant move upmarket, – event diversification, – a strong cultural vision, – mastery of technological issues, – structured public-private cooperation. This global model enables Cannes to secure its appeal in a rapidly changing global environment – a decisive advantage in international competition.

2025, a year that confirms the trajectory

The year 2025 was marked by intense activity, confirming the central role of the Palais des Festivals in the local economy: – 79 professional events hosted; – 340 days of activity: an exceptional level that confirms the Palais as a driving force in the local economy; – 380,000 accredited guests; – 89 cultural events, confirming the unique alliance between culture, innovation and tourism; – An increase in tourist numbers, with occupancy of commercial accommodation up by +2 points, supported by the massive return of international customers. Cannes has thus demonstrated its ability to combine the quality of its events, economic dynamism and cultural appeal, consolidating its leadership based on a clear, shared strategic vision.

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