The number of foreign tourists arriving in Antalya has exceeded 10 million since the beginning of the year, as the Mediterranean resort city prepares to host the 77th International Astronautical Congress and the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference later this year.
Russia, Germany and Britain were the largest source markets for the resort city during the Jan. 1-Aug. 21 period.
Hotel occupancy rates are expected to remain high during the two major international events.
Kaan Kasif Kavaloğlu, chairman of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), said tourist arrivals were running about 6 percent below last year’s level and that the sector was seeking to navigate the season as successfully as possible.
Kavaloğlu said Antalya could face a loss of around 1 million tourists by the end of the year.
“We will host the 77th International Astronautical Congress at the NEST Congress Center in Belek, Antalya, in October,” Kavaloğlu said. “COP31, which will be held between Nov. 9 and Nov. 20, will be one of the largest events ever organized in Türkiye.”
He said extensive work was underway at the EXPO site for COP31, describing the preparations as a major investment for Antalya that would make a significant contribution to the city across various sectors.
Kavaloğlu said COP31 would leave a lasting legacy for Antalya and strengthen its ability to attract similar international events in the future.
“Once COP31 is completed, we will have a very powerful marketing tool to help bring similar events to Antalya,” he said.
