Türkiye becomes ICCA’s first destination partner in Europe

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced the Türkiye Tourism
Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) as the association’s first Destination Partner in
Europe. With this partnership, Türkiye will benefit from strategic development initiatives to
raise the country’s profile within the association meetings industry. It will also gain enhanced
visibility in the ICCA community. The one-year partnership indicates ICCA’s endorsement of
Türkiye as a premier business event destination for Europe and the global industry.

Positioned at the convergence of Europe, Central Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East,
Türkiye is an ideal hub for connecting diverse audiences. Further, it’s a country rich in culture,
history, world-class venues and excellent infrastructure. These outstanding qualities have
contributed to Türkiye’s fast-paced growth as a meeting destination in Europe.

Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy stated that “The pandemic period
brought the MICE industry and international congresses to a standstill, which is one of the most
important tourism types in terms of destination competition all over the world. However, with
the ongoing normalization, international congresses and meetings have started to come to life
all over the world. At this very point, we are implementing an important cooperation by signing
a Destination Partnership Agreement with ICCA in order to reposition our country among the
leading destinations in international congress tourism. With this status that will be granted to
only two destinations in Europe, our congress activities will also gain momentum. In accordance
with this agreement with ICCA, of which the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development
Agency (TGA) is a member, Türkiye will be named as ICCA – Destination Partner – Europe and
while the destination partnership makes a great contribution to the development of the
international meeting and event sector in Türkiye, with the partnership that will be announced
all over the world, Türkiye will host more international congresses, events, fairs and
organizations, especially in Istanbul and Antalya.”

Destination partnerships are one of ICCA’s most exclusive opportunities for ICCA members.
“ICCA and Türkiye have shared an extensive relationship over many decades. As one of the
renowned meeting destinations, Türkiye has set standards in developing the knowledge
enhancement and the innovation economy of our industry. ICCA is proud to welcome and
designate Türkiye as a Destination partner for Europe. Our partnership and long-term
collaboration will enable Türkiye to showcase its commitment to the global meetings industry
and the association community. Moreover, through this collaborative effort, ICCA will
contribute to the progress of the destination’s objectives,” said ICCA CEO Senthil Gopinath.

Türkiye’s largest city, Istanbul, is already a leading host destination for international association
meetings in the region. Between 2010 and 2020, Istanbul hosted 1,623 association meetings
and received accolades for events such as the FDI World Dental Congress (15,000 delegates),
the EADV International Congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
(8,100 delegates), and the 23rd World Energy Congress (10,000 delegates). Antalya is also a
leading MICE destination of Türkiye and host city for ICCA Congress in 2014. <strong>

About ICCA

The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) is the global leader for the
international meetings industry with more than 1,100-member companies and organizations in
nearly 100 countries and territories. Since its establishment in 1963, ICCA has represented the world’s
top destinations and experienced suppliers specializing in handling, transporting and accommodating
international meetings and events. The ICCA Association Community, launched in 2020, additionally
encompasses all major stakeholders in the world of association meetings.

As the community and knowledge hub for the industry, ICCA offers business development and
networking opportunities, unrivalled data, education, and communication channels. ICCA has further
demonstrated its position as a driving force of the industry with initiatives including the ICCASkills
events professional certification programme and a commitment to Net Zero Carbon events by 2050.

About the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency

TGA operates to ensure that Türkiye is a well-known brand in domestic and international tourism. TGA
promotes all possible aspects of the heritage of Türkiye, and engages in short, medium and long-term
communication and marketing activities to help raise the share of the tourism industry in the national
economy while improving the experience of anyone visiting Türkiye. TGA is responsible for carrying out
all promotional, marketing and communication activities to help Türkiye achieve its tourism objectives,
promote and market the current tourism resources worldwide, and discover, develop and make
available potential tourism resources in line with the tourism strategies and policies made by the
Ministry of Culture and Tourism. For more about Türkiye please visit: www.goturkiye.com