Meeting with the press at a well-attended conference yesterday, ICVB shared news and trends on Istanbul’s latest developments and investments, including up-to-date statistics, together with the bureau's recent global marketing campaign.

ICVB plays a key role in Istanbul’s rapid rise in popularity as a congress destination in line with the International Congress and Convention Association's (ICCA) recent 2014 Rankings Report for Cities and Countries in which Istanbul maintained its top 10 position as a global congress destination. Ranking 9th in the world in 2014 with 130 congresses, Istanbul has now held this top 10 position since 2010.

ICVB recently launched a global campaign entitled ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ to demonstrate the breadth and variety of Istanbul as a destination, highlighting the city's high-tech modern infrastructure juxtaposed against its monumental history to metaphorically reflect 'A Tale of Two Cities'. The campaign creates awareness of Istanbul as a flourishing and successful meetings and congress destination, highlighting both its charm and capacity using the 'two cities' slogan and brand campaign whereby the city's high-tech modern infrastructure is juxtaposed against its monumental history.

Exciting up-and-coming infrastructure projects for Istanbul include a third airport for 2018 which will cater to 150 million passengers, making the city the largest airline hub in the world, and a new road tunnel under construction the ‘Eurasia Tunnel’ which will connect Asia and Europe under Bosphorus.

IMEX Frankfurt is a high-profile event bringing together planners, buyers and meeting professionals thereby providing business opportunities for exhibitors and buyers. Each year 3500 exhibitors attend IMEX including tourist offices, convention bureaus, international hotel brands, airlines and destination management brands with almost 4000 hosted buyers.

www.imex-frankfurt.com