Five Promising Emerging Markets in the Event Industry

Last Updated on October 7, 2021


If you’re looking to spice up your events, why not consider hosting it internationally? The thing about major, well-established markets is that everyone tends to flock to them. Instead, if you’re really looking to give your event a unique touch, it might be worthwhile to have a look at a few emerging markets and economies.

Today, we’re going to have a look at some of the most promising up-and-coming markets for event planners. Though most of these regions aren’t terribly well-established on the global stage, they’ve all got great facilities at competitive rates. If you’re looking for something a little different, they might be just the ticket.

South Africa

First on the list is South Africa, whose event industry has recently been enjoying a period of unprecedented growth. The major cities throughout the region feature all the services you’d expect from a top-notch event management destination. On top of that, it’s well-known for its diverse natural habitats – meaning attendees will have a whole lot to do while they’re there. 

China

To be honest, China only just barely fits under the umbrella of ‘emerging market.’  Economically, it’s one of the most powerful nations in the world. Not only that, its capital, Hong Kong, is globally considered to be a major business hub and center of commerce. That’s part of what makes it so promising, of course. This is in addition to its rich history and awesome, varied venues, which are easily some of the best in the world.

Brazil

Brazil is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, while the capital of São Paulo is one of the foremost destinations in the world for business tourists. It’s a beautiful place, with its own unique and diverse culture – and that’s not even the biggest draw.  The event market there is already booming – there are more than 90,000 events hosted in the city alone each year, including the 2014 world cup and the 2016 Olympics. Perhaps because of this, there’s an impressive selection of different venues in which you can run events, complete with a few regional touches.

Russia

Russia might be going through a bit of a rough patch lately (the Sochi Winter Olympics didn’t exactly go off without a hitch, and the political climate is a little unstable), but it’s still the largest country in the world. All things considered, it’s also a pretty great place to run corporate events. Cities like Moscow, St Petersburg and Novosibirsk are all feature a wide array of incredible locales, with an abundance of palaces, canals, cathedrals, and more.

India

Like Russia, the newly-industrialized India has its fair share of problems, women’s rights foremost among them. Even so, there’s something to be said for the major cities in the region, all of which play host to a huge selection of different venues. Factor in a warm climate, competitive prices, a rich culture, and a fast-developing and quickly-emerging technology sector, and it’s plain to see why so many event planners are looking the region.