ENDOWED with the traces of its ancient history, Istanbul stands out as a world-class congress centre, as well as its palaces, bridges, and minarets. Reemerging in 2024’s global congress rankings, Istanbul is determined to become one of the top eight international destinations, holding the highest number of congresses. 

USD 1.43 BN

Dramatically weakened by the pandemic, congress tourism has been signaling a return to its former stage as of 2023. As one of tourism’s highest revenue-generating sub-sectors, global congress tourism is expected to reach USD 1.43 billion by 2025 and USD 1.78 billion by 2030. Companies bear the accommodation and transport expenses of congress visitors with high-level incomes who spend nearly 30% more than conventional tourists. Therefore, many cities compete with each other to host more conferences and congresses. Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir are ranked as Türkiye’s leading cities in congress tourism.

RANKING 16TH IN EUROPE

According to the data from the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Istanbul rose by four steps in Europe and two globally in last year’s global congress cities ranking. Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) reported that in 2023, the city hosted 72 congresses with a number of participants ranging from 300 to 25 thousand. In line with such statistical data, the supercity ranked 16th in Europe and 21st globally. In 2023, Paris ranked first globally by hosting 156 conventions, followed by Singapore with 152 congresses and

Lisbon with 151. The number of congresses in Istanbul increased

14 times in 2023 compared to 2022.

WE WILL GATHER THE WORLD

Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) and Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau emphasized Istanbul’s full gear advance in global tourism and congress sectors and noted, “Investments and projects of ICOC and ICVB with our sector in the last five years focused on Istanbul’s congress tourism continue to succeed.” Avdagiç stressed Istanbul’s gradual progress in global rankings and statistics on congress tourism and said, “Istanbul has been rising step by step among the world’s congress cities. Our final goal in the next two years is to become one of the top 8 cities with the highest number of congresses. We had achieved this goal between 2011 and 2015. We shall continue to gather the whole world in Istanbul.”

NEW PROJECTS AND STRATEGIES

ICVB and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) developed special strategies to boost congress tourism. In this framework, global promotion campaigns, digital marketing activities, and sectoral cooperation will stand out. Moreover, the promotion of Istanbul’s cultural heritage and gastronomical riches will increase the city’s attraction.

2025 WILL BE A TURNING POINT

Many prestigious events, such as the World Health Summit, Global Finance Forum, and European Innovation and Technology Summit, are among the global conventions planned for Istanbul in 2025.

These events are expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to Istanbul. Şekib Avdagiç, President of ICOC, also claimed that 2025 would be a turning point for Istanbul.

Candidate host of 17 congresses and seminars

Şekib Avdagiç, President of ICOC, revealed ICCA’s statistical data on the congresses. Avdagiç declared that 11 global congresses ranging from 250 to 7 thousand participants were held in Istanbul in 2024. Avdagiç pointed to ICVB’s direct support to 6 international congresses with 12 thousand 800 participants and added that ICVB had been striving for Istanbul’s candidacy at

17 congresses and seminars in 2025 and its aftermath.

Istanbul’s congress centres

Concerning congress tourism, Istanbul embraces a rich infrastructure. Following are some of the venues with the capacity to host global events:

1. Istanbul Congress Center

2. Haliç Congress Center

3. Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar

    International Convention and Exhibition Center

4. Istanbul Fair Center (IFM)

5. Dr. Mimar Kadir Topbaş Performance and Arts Center

6. Zorlu Performance Arts Center

7. WOW Convention Center

8. Volkswagen Arena

9. Tersane Istanbul

10. Çırağan Palace

2-year congress schedule

* World Congress of Echocardiography and Cardiology: 24-25 March 2025

* Turkish Thoracic Society’s Congress: 23-27 April 2025

* ICCI 2025 International Energy and Environment Fair: 24-26 April 2025

* International Conference on Esophageal Atresia: 30 April-3 May 2025

* ISF World Seed Congress: 19-21 May 2025

* International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery (ISMICS) Annual Meeting: 28-31 May 2025

* International Conference on Nonlinear Problems in Aviation and Aerospace (ICNPAA): July 2025

* European Pancreatic Club Annual Meeting: 2-5 July 2025

* Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS): 5-9 July 2025

* Association of European Schools of Planning Congress (AESOP): 7-11 July 2025

* World Congress on Medical Law (WCML): 5-8 August 2025

* World Congress of Biological Psychiatry: 9-12 September 2025

* International Federation of ORL Societies: 9-13 September 2025

* Annual Meeting of the European Society of Neuroradiology (ESNR): 17-21 September 2025

* Annual Meeting of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS): 23-26 September 2025

* 6. International Turkic World Congress: 7-9 October 2025

* IBS Congress: 10-11 October 2025

* Society for the Exploration of Psychotherapy Integration’s (SEPI) Yearly Meeting: 15-19 October 2025

* Association Kangourou Sans Frontiers (AKSF) Annual Meeting: 15-19 October 2025

* EUCHEMBIOJ 2025 International Chemistry and Biotechnology Conference: 5-7 December 2025

* European Pancreatic Club Annual Meeting: January 2026

* World Buiatrics Congress: 6-10 September 2026

Source: ICVB