Istanbul’s congress tourism yields over $800 million in foreign currency since 2022

Şekib Avdagiç, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau, said congress tourism has delivered more than $800 million in foreign-currency revenue for Istanbul since 2022. During that span the city hosted close to 500 congresses, drawing around 200,000 visitors who each spent up to $4,000, resulting in direct spending of $800 million. In the first eight months of one outlet year, 67 congresses welcomed about 30,000 participants and generated roughly $120 million from accommodation, transport, dining and sightseeing.

Avdagiç emphasized that the sector also supports restaurants, retailers, guides and transport firms, and that the overall economic impact is larger because visitors often extend stays and promote the city further. Istanbul’s infrastructure includes seven congress centers and three exhibition halls capable of handling events from 100 to over 30,000 attendees. The ICVB aims to attract more international meetings in health sciences, engineering, energy and transportation, with a long-term goal of ranking among the world’s top ten congress destinations.