Istanbul Climbs into Top 20 Global Congress Cities for First Time Since 2015

Turkey

Istanbul has re-entered the global spotlight as a leading destination for international congresses, securing 20th place worldwide and 15th in Europe, according to the latest data released by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

This marks the first time since 2015 that Türkiye’s largest metropolis has ranked among the world’s top 20 congress cities.

In 2024, Istanbul hosted 86 international congresses with attendance figures ranging from 50 to 7,300 delegates, reflecting an increase of 14 events compared to the previous year. The data was announced by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ICOC), which credited the city’s progress to its strategic advantages in infrastructure and accessibility.

ICOC President Sekib Avdagic highlighted Istanbul’s goal of returning to the global top 10—a position it previously held in 2015 when the city ranked 8th. “Our aim is to establish Istanbul as a permanent fixture among the top 10 congress cities worldwide, enhancing both our visibility and economic value,” Avdagic said.

According to ICCA’s 2024 rankings, Vienna led the global list with 154 congresses, followed closely by Lisbon (153) and Singapore (144). Istanbul also made a strong impression in specialized sectors, ranking 8th globally in the newly published “Top Eight Cities for Medical Sciences Meetings in 2024.”

Avdagic also emphasized Istanbul’s broader performance in tourism and hospitality, noting that the city ranked second after London in CityDNA’s “Best Performing Destinations in European Accommodation Statistics for 2024.” Furthermore, both Istanbul and Antalya were among the top four European cities in terms of growth in international travel, according to the same source.

“These rankings reaffirm Istanbul’s status as a key hub for global events and international tourism,” Avdagic concluded.