İstanbul again in Top 10 as a congress destination
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has just released its 2014 Rankings Report for Cities and Countries in which Istanbul maintains its position amongst the top 10 as a global congress destination. Ranking 9th in the world in 2014 with 130 congresses, Istanbul now holds its position in the top 10 since 2010.
Istanbul is a world-class convention destination
Commenting on the top 10 ranking, Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB) Chairman Ibrahim Caglar says: “As a top international congress destination, Istanbul offers accessibility, a large number of high-quality meeting and congress centres, a high-standard and good variety of accommodation as well as historical, cultural and natural attractions, stellar-quality customer services and more. Istanbul is also a hub for both education and knowledge and R&D in the region with its 49 universities that are technologically and academically advanced.
Exciting up-and-coming infrastructure projects include a third airport that is due to open in 2018 which will cater to 150 million passengers, making Istanbul the largest airline hub in the world, and a new road tunnel planned which will connect Asia and Europe. A third bridge along the Bosphorus is currently being constructed as part of the 260km-long Northern Marmara Motorway and once completed later this year, it will be the longest combined motorway/railway bridge in the world and the world's ninth longest suspension bridge.”
Aim for Istanbul to rank 5th in world
Caglar continues: “The number of congresses in Istanbul has risen by 280% during the past ten years and we expect this increase to continue as we at ICVB work towards making Istanbul one of the most desirable destinations in the world for meetings industry. Our goal for 2023, is for Istanbul to rank in the top 5 convention destinations in the World and the top 3 in Europe.”
Istanbul’s position as a world congress destination has risen from being the 40th in the 2000s to 17th place in 2009; to then enter the top 10 ranking of cities in 2010. In 2014 it continued to hold that position with a total of 130 congresses and in 9th place, confirming Istanbul as a rising star among global congress destinations.
