At IMEX Frankfurt 2026, Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau, Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç made one thing clear: Istanbul is not changing its promotional course and ambitions despite ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.
In an exclusive interview with TravelMole, the General Manager of the Istanbul Convention and Visitors Bureau said the destination continues to focus on promoting Istanbul’s strengths as a global meetings and congress hub while expanding infrastructure to accommodate larger international events.
What are you promoting at IMEX this year?
Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç – At IMEX, more or less, we promote the same thing every year : the destination of Istanbul itself. We focus heavily on meetings, incentives, congresses and large-scale association events. One of the most important things we provide is local know-how. Istanbul is a massive city with nearly 20 million people, so if planners don’t know exactly where to go or who to work with, it can become time-consuming and exhausting.
We help associations with pre-scheduled meetings, venue inspections and arrangements that save time and energy. Our role is to make the process as efficient as possible for organizers considering Istanbul.
Has the current geopolitical situation changed your message to buyers?
Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç – No, not really. We are not planning to change our message because of current tensions. In our region, there is always something happening somewhere — whether it was Iraq, Syria, Iran, or even the pandemic. This is the reality of the Middle East and nearby regions.
What makes us stronger is that we have become highly adaptable to sudden risks or disruptions. We are prepared for unexpected situations. Historically, we have not seen large numbers of congresses or MICE events permanently canceled because of these situations. Sometimes there are delays for a few weeks or months, but business returns quickly.
People still believe events will happen. The perception remains positive overall.
Is insurance becoming a bigger issue for event organizers?
Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç – Insurance became a major topic during COVID because many events were canceled abruptly and people lost significant amounts of money. We are a sort of similar situations with the ongoing war between the USA and Iran.
There are currently discussions in Turkey with insurance companies about developing stronger event-related coverage solutions. However, these need to involve large-scale insurers with strong financial backing.
As a convention bureau, we can recommend trusted insurance partners and guide organizers toward reliable companies, but ultimately the insurance arrangements themselves are outside our direct control.
What new infrastructure projects are coming to Istanbul?
Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç – One major development involves the Istanbul World Trade Center near the former airport district. The facility is being expanded to roughly double its current capacity. This project is expected to significantly increase Istanbul’s ability to host larger-scale international events and congresses. The expansion could be completed within the next one to two years.
At the same time, Istanbul continues to strengthen its cultural offering. The city’s Contemporary Art Museum and Archaeology Museum are now open, adding further appeal for incentive travel and international delegates extending their stay in the city.
Despite regional uncertainty, Istanbul’s meetings industry remains definitely focused on long-term growth, infrastructure investment and maintaining confidence among international planners.
