Istanbul enters global top 20 for international congress tourism
Turkish metropolis, Istanbul, sees sharp rise in international events, aims for permanent spot among world’s top 10 congress destinations
ISTANBUL, Türkiye (MNTV) — Istanbul has made a significant leap in global congress tourism, entering the top 20 cities worldwide for the first time since 2015, according to newly released data by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
The city hosted 86 international congresses in 2024, attracting between 50 and 7,300 participants per event, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) announced.
With this increase, Istanbul rose one place in the global rankings and now stands 20th in the world and 15th in Europe.
The number of major congresses held in Istanbul rose by 14 compared to 2023, marking a steady upward trend in the city’s appeal as a global event destination.
ICOC President Sekib Avdagic said the city is targeting a return to the top 10, a position it last held in 2015 when it ranked eighth globally.
According to ICCA’s 2024 list, Vienna topped the global rankings with 154 events, followed closely by Lisbon with 153 and Singapore with 144.
Istanbul also made its debut on the ICCA’s new “Top Eight Cities for Medical Sciences Meetings” list, securing the eighth spot.
Avdagic attributed Istanbul’s competitive edge in the global congress market to its advanced conference venues, extensive hotel infrastructure, and excellent international connectivity.
“In 2024, Istanbul ranked second after London in the ‘Best Performing Destinations in European Accommodation Statistics,’ as reported by CityDNA,” he said.
“Moreover, both Istanbul and Antalya ranked in the top four in CityDNA’s statistics on the highest increases in international travel to European destinations.”
He emphasized that these achievements reflect Türkiye’s growing prominence in global tourism and business travel, noting that Istanbul’s ultimate goal is to secure a permanent position among the world’s top 10 congress cities.
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