Türkiye's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has announced plans to transform the Antalya Expo site into a major congress, exhibition and events centre, following the city's hosting of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said the project aims to position Antalya among the world's leading destinations for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
The announcement marks a new phase in the development of Antalya's tourism infrastructure, with the government seeking to expand the city's appeal beyond its established leisure tourism offering.
Ersoy said preparations to strengthen Antalya's tourism infrastructure include investments in culture and tourism facilities, increased airport capacity and road transport projects being carried out in cooperation with other ministries.
New Expo project to follow COP31
Antalya will host COP31 from 9 to 20 November. Following the international event, the Expo site will be redeveloped and utilised for congresses, exhibitions and other major events.
The project will be implemented under the umbrella of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA), through a newly established organisation comprising industry professionals.
Announcing the initiative, Minister Ersoy said:
"Following our hosting of this major international event, we are establishing a new professional organisation under the umbrella of TGA to develop one of Türkiye's largest and most important exhibition, congress and events centres at the Antalya Expo site.
"We will create a world-class, high-standard venue to meet one of Antalya tourism's key needs: congress and exhibition tourism. This will also bring greater activity to the city during the winter and spring seasons."
Project aims to boost year-round tourism in Antalya
Ersoy said the project was expected to contribute not only to congress and exhibition tourism but also to Antalya's social, cultural and artistic life.
The minister also highlighted the importance of a new support mechanism to be developed for the tourism sector, stating that it would make a significant difference.
Ersoy expressed his hope that the project would bring benefits to both Türkiye and Antalya.
