Istanbul Targets Global MICE Growth as New Convention Capacity and Turkish Airlines Links Boost Demand

Istanbul is building itself up to be one of the major meetings & event locations of the world, due to better links by air, by and by a greater convention facility infrastructure, not forgetting its strategic place in between two continents and other key world locations, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce Convention Bureau, Cemil Hakan Kilic informed in an interview conducted with Travel and Tour World at a leading travel trade show:

The convention sector has still kept improving, being moved ever nearer to achieving their quest to gain recognition in one of the leadingconvention destinations of the world.

Istanbul climbs global convention rankings with rising international demand

Kilic said Istanbul’s position in the international meetings industry has improved, with the destination ranked 18th globally and 13th in Europe in the latest convention rankings he referred to during the interview.

He noted that Istanbul hosted 95 major congresses and events in 2024, while other Turkish cities also contributed to the country’s wider meetings and events performance.

According to Kilic, this growth has been supported by three major pillars that associations and event organisers consider when selecting a destination. These include accessibility, infrastructure and the overall ability of a city to deliver successful events.

“Things change in our favour,” Kilic said, explaining that Istanbul’s development in the convention sector has created stronger opportunities for future growth.

While the city remains outside the European top 10 convention destinations, Kilic said the industry continues to work towards reaching that level.

Turkish Airlines connectivity gives Istanbul a major advantage

One of Istanbul’s strongest advantages in attracting international events is its global accessibility, Kilic explained.

He highlighted the role of Turkish Airlines in expanding connections between Istanbul and destinations worldwide, saying the airline’s extensive network helps make the city easier to reach for international delegates.

According to Kilic, Turkish Airlines connects Istanbul with more than 350 destinations globally. He also pointed to strong links with London, where he said there are around 35 daily flights, making travel between key business markets more convenient.

Istanbul’s geographical position also plays an important role in its appeal. Located between Europe and Asia, the city serves as a connecting point for travellers from different continents.

Kilic explained that many international visitors use Istanbul as a meeting point, combining business events with opportunities to experience the city.

“We’re sitting right in the middle,” he said, describing Istanbul’s position as a connection point between regions including North America, South America and Asia.

Istanbul Airport supports seamless connections and stopover opportunities

Kilic also highlighted Istanbul Airport as a major contributor to the city’s international appeal.

Describing the airport experience, he compared it to a large shopping destination, noting that passengers can find a wide range of facilities and attractions while travelling through the hub.

He also highlighted the airport’s museum and its accessibility, explaining that the city centre can be reached in around half an hour.

This connectivity creates opportunities for passengers with longer stopovers, according to Kilic. He said travellers with approximately six hours between flights can potentially visit downtown Istanbul and return to the airport within the available time.

The airport’s ability to bring together travellers from different origins was another point he emphasised. Kilic shared an example of people arriving from different cities in the United States and meeting in Istanbul within a short period because of the airport’s extensive connectivity.

Expanded convention facilities aim to attract larger international events

Looking ahead, Kilic said Istanbul is continuing to strengthen its meetings infrastructure.

He explained that the Istanbul International World Trade Center is expanding its existing convention floor by around 40%, creating additional capacity for larger events.

The facility, located near the former airport area, will provide more options for associations seeking suitable venues, according to Kilic.

He said the expanded space will strengthen Istanbul’s ability to host events for approximately 4,000 to 5,000 participants.

Beyond dedicated convention venues, Kilic also highlighted Istanbul’s broader event capabilities, including the ability to accommodate multiple events across areas such as the historic Old Town and Taksim Square.

Istanbul combines business events with cultural experiences

Beyond infrastructure and accessibility, Kilic said Istanbul’s destination appeal remains a key factor for event planners.

He described the city experience as something that creates lasting memories for visitors, with many travellers valuing the combination of business opportunities and cultural experiences.

Kilic also pointed to Istanbul’s competitiveness compared with European destinations, particularly in terms of pricing.

He said Istanbul continues to maintain a strong advantage in price compatibility with Europe, while its climate provides another benefit for visitors.

According to Kilic, Istanbul experiences a long summer season of up to eight months, allowing travellers to enjoy favourable weather while visiting a destination that remains easily accessible from across Europe.

He added that European markets are highly connected to Istanbul through frequent flight options, making travel between Europe and the Turkish city almost comparable to domestic connectivity in terms of convenience.

Sustainability, hybrid events and return on investment shape the future of MICE

Kilic said the meetings industry has changed significantly over the past five years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The evolving priorities to frame future of events were outlined, namely-multi generation event designing, the use of technology, decision making by data analysis, sustainability and hybrid events.

He claimed that Sustainability was already a well established factor in the entire international meetings sector and that hybrid events have continued to drive new standards of how events will be planned.

The issue of return on investment was stated as a ‘key concern’ of the international meetings sector on a global level, with event planners placing a high importance on determining value and effects generated by events.

These emerging priorities indicate Key avenues for the growth in future for Istanbul as it consolidates its profile as a major convention venue in the international market place. Istanbul seems all set to lure more international meetings, congresses and events with increasing connectivity, the development of new infrastructure facilities and integration of business with cultural interests and tourism.