Istanbul as a Destination
The eye gazes sleepily across the seductive blue sweep of the Bosphorus: One country - two continents.
As diverse as night and day, the only thing they have in common is the miraculous mirage that is Istanbul -a hotchpotch skyline of sensually shaped mosques, minarets and styscrapers scattered across seven hills.
Istanbul is rapidly becoming one of the most popular international congress and exhibition destinations as a result of the increasing demand for suitable facilities. Istanbul is a city competing professionally to fulfill the demands.
Istanbul is the real Turkish delight, a mixture of old and new where east meets west. The city is an exciting combination of the splendors of the Ottoman past and the modern amenities of a wide variety of international deluxe 5-star hotels.
Guaranteed to make your meeting, conference or incentive a memorable success, Istanbul is the gateway to the rest of Turkey - definitely a paradise preserved.
A City of Harmony in a Country of Variety
The cultural diversity of Istanbul defines exaggeration. A Roman city converted into Christianity. It was also the seat of Islamic caliphate that preserved the patriarchate of Christian orthodoxy. It has been a refuge for Jews fleeing Spain in the XV. Century and for those seeking asylum in 1930s. Belonging to 3 different religions and speaking 10 different languages, 26 ethnics groups live in Istanbul in harmony.
International Meetings in a Safe and Lively City
Istanbul is a metropolitan city with an advanced security planning and experience. The city has an astonishingly low record of crime according to Interpol statistics. General security is common in public places such as shopping centres and hotels and visitors should be prepared for security and/or identity checks at such places.
Entertainment
Istanbul is one of those metropolitans of the world that never sleeps. Thousands of restaurants, bars, discos and nightclubs offer a vigorous variety of entertainment for all tastes.
Shoppers’ Paradise
Istanbul is the shoppers’ paradise for carpets, leather goods, gold bargains and fashion. 4,000 shops under one roof make the fascinating Covered Bazaar with an irresistible location for eager shoppers, while the modern shopping malls make life easier for those on a tight schedule.
Value for Money
Prices in Istanbul, whether for shopping, dining or accommodation, are internationally competitive and attractive for all congress participants regardless of their nationality.
Gateway to Enchanting Tours
Istanbul is an ideal starting point to explore the fascinating Turkish landscapes, blue waters of the Mediterranean and archaeological sites on a pre or post tour. Everything is only in an hour’s flight from Istanbul.
Easy to Access
Direct flights from more than 80 international cities by Turkish Airlines and more than 150 direct flights by different airways. ISTANBUL has a daily air access from almost 300 destinations.
Competent Infrastructure
Along with the most sophisticated equipment required for international congresses, Istanbul enjoys state of the art telecommunication systems and broadcasting infrastructure.
Unique Venues for Events
Istanbul’s imperial past has left a legacy of magnificent palaces and mansions throughout the city. Some of these are available for banquets, cultural and other special events. A memorable evening would be a threehour cruise on the Bosporus with a five star catering.
First Class Convention Facilities
Istanbul Conference and Exhibition Center (ICEC), Turkey’s largest congress center, is located in the main business district of the city. It has been recently built to meet the standards of the world’s most modern convention facilities. ICEC is in the center of a series of meeting and exhibition buildings all together forming the Conference Valley.
First Class Accommodation Facilities
Istanbul has more than 40,000 hotel rooms, some 15,000 of them built during the last 10 years at international standards, designed to please even the most sophisticated guests. There are 7,000 five star hotel rooms. These well-located establishments are on a par with Europe’s top-class hotels, offering the ultimate service and quality. International hotel management chains manage the majority. The number of 4 star hotel rooms that are fully air-conditioned and standard required for international meetings reaches 5,000.
