Tourism, innovation and culture

After a record year in 2025, Cannes unveils its action plan for 2026

On Friday 28 November 2025, David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, Jean-Michel Arnaud, President of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and Bruno Desloques, General Manager, presented the 2026 tourism strategy to more than 350 of Cannes’ socio-professionals. This new roadmap strengthens Cannes’ international appeal, accelerates its innovation drive and enhances its cultural identity, while developing a sustainable and competitive tourism model.

Published on 29 November 2025

David Lisnard

“Cannes is consistently pursuing a strategy that combines attractiveness, innovation and cultural identity. Recognised as the world’s best destination for hosting and organising festivals and events, we continue to anticipate changes in tourism and technology. The integration of Web3, the rise of cryptocurrency, major international events and the development of new cultural offerings are all evidence of our clear ambition: to prepare for the future without ever giving up on Cannes’ uniqueness, based on creativity, quality of service and the art of living.”

Mayor of Cannes

Jean-Michel Arnaud

“The year 2025 has confirmed the solidity of our model and the ability of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes to stand out in a business tourism market undergoing profound change. Thanks to sustained activity, the arrival of new structuring events and the combined performance of leisure tourism and the cultural offer, we are strengthening our role as a major economic lever for the destination. In 2026, we will continue to pursue the same ambition: to invest, innovate and support our customers with ever-better services, while resolutely pursuing our environmental commitments.

Chairman of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes

2025: a record year for the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes

Thanks to an exceptional level of activity, the Palais confirmed its role as a driving force for the local economy and the international appeal of the destination:

79 professional events hosted, 340 days of activity and 380,000 accredited visitors;
89 cultural events
Cannes was voted Europe’s Best Destination 2025 for hosting and organising festivals and events at the World Travel Awards, for the 5th year running.
Sustained tourist numbers, with average occupancy of commercial accommodation up 2 points, driven by strong growth in the number of international customers.

2025 marked a major technological turning point, with the rapid adoption of new digital uses and the long-term establishment of a Web3 ecosystem:

Europe’s first convention centre to accept cryptocurrencies (4 February 2025);
90 “crypto-friendly” establishments in Cannes;
Successful Ethereum Community Conference (EthCC8): 6,500 accredited participants, 10,000 attendees, 400 speakers, 72 sponsors, with the EthCC and ETH Global taking up residence in Cannes in April until 2028;
A strengthened tech ecosystem with the WAICF, the Datacloud Global Congress and the IT & Cybersecurity Meetings.

2026: an ambitious year driven by innovation

2026 promises to be a particularly busy year, with a host of new and returning events that will enhance the attractiveness of the Cannes calendar:

Continuation of four resident medical and association congresses: Cours Saint-Paul, 28th Assises Face et Cou, 4th Health from Space, Longevity Docs;
Arrival of four major medical and associative congresses: 100th SOFCOT Congress; 13th Assises de Génétique Humaine et Médicale, 43rd IASP World Conference and Pierre Fabre Convention.
New events: The Luxe Convergence, WAIFF – World AI Film Festival, a quantum fair and several major corporate conventions. Building on its success since its establishment in Cannes in 2023, the Datacloud Global Congress is being extended from 3 to 4 days to support its growth.
Renewals: ETHCC and ETH Global in April for three years, as well as IGTM.

With 65 events already signed up for 2026, including 9 new ones, the Palais is pursuing a strategy of optimising the calendar and developing coactivity. This strategy is supported by 60 canvassing and promotional campaigns in France and abroad (Europe and North America), with a particular focus on :

medical congresses and associations
corporate events
international luxury weddings.

A leisure tourism strategy focused on international expansion and deseasonalisation

The development of leisure tourism in 2026 is based on three major axes:

Consolidation of priority markets (North America – 40 weekly flights -, Middle East) ;
Diversification into new territories (Latin America, Asia-Pacific);
Creating innovative highlights.

The Cannes Visitors Bureau will also be developing targeted leisure activities: professional workshops, famtrips and cooperation with airlines. The destination is also relying on cultural and sporting events to boost the off-season and attract a high-end international clientele all year round.

Investment for a more responsible economy

To support this dynamic, the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is continuing its transformation towards a more sober and resilient model:

Reducing the site’s carbon footprint;
Installation of photovoltaic panels in 2026;
A reinforced awareness-raising programme for organisers.

Through the strength of its innovation, the richness of its cultural offer and the quality of its welcome, Cannes continues to strengthen its international reputation and to imagine the tourism of tomorrow.

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