Turkiye continues to strengthen its standing in the global meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, leveraging its strategic location, extensive convention infrastructure and expanding portfolio of international events.
The country hosted several high-profile international gatherings in 2025, including the 14th Annual Advisory Forum of the Council of Europe Cultural Routes, the PATA Annual Summit and the Trip.com Global Summit. These events highlighted Turkiye’s ability to deliver large-scale business events while integrating leisure, cultural and networking experiences.Looking ahead, the country is set to host a series of major international meetings in 2026. Among the most significant are the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), scheduled to take place in Antalya from 9 to 20 November, and the NATO Summit in Ankara on 7 and 8 July. Both events are expected to bring together government leaders, policymakers and international delegates, further reinforcing Turkiye’s role as a destination for global dialogue and large-scale conferences.
Alongside political and business events, Turkiye is also strengthening its position in sports tourism. The country’s 2026 calendar includes major international sporting events across football, cycling, sailing, golf and endurance sports, including the UEFA Europa League Final in Istanbul.
To enhance its visibility within the international meetings industry, Turkiye maintains a strong presence at leading global trade platforms such as IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX Las Vegas and IBTM Barcelona. The country also collaborates with industry organisations including the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO) to attract global conferences and strengthen industry partnerships.
Istanbul remains the centrepiece of Turkiye’s MICE offering. Supported by two international airports and extensive global air connectivity, the city combines convention facilities with cultural attractions, heritage sites, gastronomy, shopping and entertainment experiences. According to ICCA data, Istanbul recorded a 10 per cent increase in international congresses in 2025 compared with the previous year, while Turkiye overall reported growth of 16 per cent.
The city is expected to host two major international medical congresses in 2026, which are projected to attract approximately 13,500 delegates.Antalya continues to strengthen its position as one of the Mediterranean region’s leading MICE destinations. The city offers more than 300 five-star hotels and over 175,000 convention seats, supported by extensive tourism infrastructure and year-round appeal. Its combination of convention facilities, coastal attractions, golf courses and wellness offerings has made it a preferred destination for conferences, incentive travel and corporate events.
Beyond its two primary convention hubs, Turkiye is also promoting destinations such as Bodrum, Izmir and Cappadocia. These cities offer specialised experiences ranging from luxury incentive travel and business events to boutique corporate retreats, further diversifying the country’s MICE portfolio.
As demand for experiential business travel continues to evolve, Turkiye is positioning itself as a destination that combines international-standard event infrastructure with cultural depth, leisure opportunities and strong connectivity across Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
