Business · Economy · 1 hr ago
Istanbul earns more than $800 million from congress tourism since 2022
Istanbul has earned more than $800 million in direct spending from congress tourism since 2022, according to Şekib Avdagiç, who leads the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Nearly 500 congresses have been held in the city during that period, bringing around 200,000 visitors.
Their spending supports hotels, restaurants, transport companies, retailers and other local businesses.
In the first eight months of 2026, 67 congresses brought about 30,000 participants and generated roughly $120 million in revenue.
Congress activity often grows in autumn, and officials expect visitor numbers to rise further by the end of the year.
Istanbul has seven congress centers and three exhibition centers, and its international congress count rose from 58 in 2022 to 95 in 2025.
The city ranked 18th worldwide in 2025, and officials say they aim to make it one of the top 10 congress destinations.
Congress tourism has generated more than $800 million in foreign currency revenue for Istanbul since 2022, according to city business leader Şekib Avdagiç.
The city hosted nearly 500 congresses and welcomed around 200,000 congress tourists during that period.
In the first eight months of 2026, 67 congresses drew around 30,000 participants and generated approximately $120 million in revenue.
The $800 million figure covers direct spending, while Avdagiç said the overall economic impact is significantly larger.
Istanbul’s international congress count rose to 95 in 2025, up from 58 in 2022.
- Who
- Istanbul and its congress tourism sector, represented by Şekib Avdagiç, president of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- What
- Congress tourism has generated more than $800 million in foreign currency revenue for the city since 2022.
- When
- Since 2022; the latest figures cover the first eight months of 2026.
- Where
- Istanbul, Türkiye.
- Why
- Congress visitors spend on accommodation, transport, sightseeing, food and other services, supporting businesses across the city.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
the overall economic impact is significantly larger
The long-term goal is to place Istanbul among the world’s top 10 congress destinations
Istanbul hosted 58 international congresses.
Istanbul hosted nearly 500 congresses and around 200,000 congress tourists visited the city.
Istanbul held 67 congresses, attracting around 30,000 participants and generating approximately $120 million in revenue.
Istanbul hosted 95 international congresses and ranked 18th globally.
- Revenue since 2022
- More than $800 million in foreign currency income
- Congress tourists since 2022
- Around 200,000
- Congresses in first eight months of 2026
- 67
- Revenue in first eight months of 2026
- Approximately $120 million
- International congresses in 2025
- 95, compared with 58 in 2022
- Global ranking in 2025
- 18th
Sources
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