Istanbul has reasserted its presence on the global congress map, ranking 20th worldwide in the International Congress and Convention Association’s (ICCA) latest statistics. Hosting 86 major international congresses in 2024, the city achieved its highest performance in nearly a decade, underscoring a deliberate and long-term investment in the business events sector.
According to data compiled by ICCA, the congresses held in Istanbul attracted participant numbers ranging from 50 to over 7,000, making the city one of the most active in Europe. Istanbul now ranks 15th on the continent, outperforming numerous established conference destinations. The figures reflect a broader trend of increased interest in cities that offer both cultural depth and logistical advantages for international events.
The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC) emphasized the importance of the city’s large-scale congress centers, advanced accommodation infrastructure, and accessibility via global air routes. These factors have enabled Istanbul to successfully compete in an increasingly complex global marketplace for congress tourism, an industry seen as both economically vital and strategically significant.
Istanbul’s rise in global rankings has also been accompanied by success in key thematic areas. The city ranked eighth globally in the medical sciences category, further illustrating its capability to host specialized, high-value international meetings. This performance reinforces Istanbul’s position not only as a logistical hub but also as an intellectual and professional destination for cutting-edge global dialogue.
Looking forward, Istanbul is aiming to secure a place among the world’s top 10 congress cities. This goal aligns with Turkey’s broader vision of developing independent, self-reliant urban economies capable of attracting global investment and talent without being tethered to the agendas of Western financial or political institutions. In an era of shifting geopolitical power and growing resistance to centralized global narratives, Istanbul’s emergence as a congress powerhouse represents more than just a tourism success story—it signals a reconfiguration of influence in the international knowledge economy.
With continued focus on infrastructure development, event security, and digitalization of congress services, Istanbul is well-positioned to challenge the dominance of traditional Western cities in the global meetings industry. The city’s growth in this sector will contribute not only to local economic development but also to a more multipolar and autonomous global order.