Earlier this year Vicki Williams was invited to attend The Meetings Space showcase in the historic city of Istanbul.
Strategically located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Turkey draws millions of international visitors each year who come to explore its rich heritage, stunning coastlines, and vibrant cities such as Istanbul with is majestic Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, sumptuous Ottoman palaces alongside the bustling Grand Bazaar and the Bosphorus waterway. As a city that straddles two continents, it is a melting pot of cultures, offering a unique experience that combines the grandeur of imperial history with the energy of a modern metropolis.
Travel
Istanbul’s newest airport opened fully in 2019, and it’s national airline Turkish Airways is a global carrier based there, with a network of flights that make Istanbul a worldwide hub to rival Dubai. All major airlines from the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East and beyond stop here.
Istanbul is also the main airport connection for the stunning region of Cappadocia known for its surreal landscape of fairy chimneys, rock-cut churches, underground cities and cave-hotels. Hot air balloon rides over Cappadocia at sunrise have become one of the most iconic and memorable experiences for any visitor. Kayseri is the regional airport for Cappadocia, a regular one-hour flight from Istanbul.
Resorts such as Marmaris, Bodrum, Fetiye and Belek, along Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coastline are serviced by predominantly summer season direct flights from all over Europe to Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum airports.
Istanbul is just under 4 hours flying time from the UK and is 2 hours ahead of the UK.
The new M11 metro line connects the airport with the city centre as well as the Havaist and IETT bus network – the journey takes around 40 minutes.
Event venues
Many of the major luxury hotel brands are represented in Istanbul, including the Four Seasons (two properties), Peninsula, Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, St Regis, Six Senses and Kempinski as well as some local properties such as the iconic Pera Palace Hotel, purpose-built to accommodate wealthy passengers on the original Orient Express train, whose final stop was Constantinople, the former name of modern Istanbul.
Other important hotels in the city include –
- The Conrad
- The Ritz Carlton
- The Grand Hyatt
- The Swissotel
- The Hilton Bosphorus
Group activities and incentive ideas
There are excellent group dining options all over the city, that include private hire of Ottoman Mansions that overlook the Bosphorus waterway and stunning former royal palaces such as Sait Halim Pasa, Esma Sultan and the fabulous Cirigan Palace as well as the unique Maiden’s Tower, located in the Bosphorus itself. Restaurants including Restaurant 360° and Grace Rooftop Restaurant provide wonderful panoramas. Whilst a dine-around in the Karakoy District should not be missed.
Activities include the sights, sounds and aromas of the Grand Bazaar, boat trips along the Bosphorus, food tastings at the home of Turkish Baklava, a guided tour of Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace Museum and the amazing Basilica Cisterns.
Turkish cuisine is known for its rich flavours, influenced by Ottoman, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Central Asian traditions. From savoury dishes like kebabs and mezes to sweet treats like baklava and Turkish delight, food plays a central role in the Turkish travel experience. Local markets, known as bazaars, also offer a sensory overload of spices, textiles, ceramics, and other handmade goods.
Sustainability
In February 2025, Turkey’s ruling AK Party submitted its first comprehensive Climate Law, establishing a Climate Change Authority, Emissions Trading System (ETS), carbon pricing, green finance tools, urban planning measures, and climate education mandates.
Turkey is ramping up renewable capacity dramatically—currently around 67 GW, with a target of 120 GW by 2035 (including ~30 GW offshore wind). Turkey has planted over 300 urban forests near cities, which enhance air quality, biodiversity, disaster resilience, and recreation.
Meanwhile, cities like Istanbul are producing waste-to-energy—turning municipal waste into electricity for 1.4 million people. Innovations in insulation standards, rooftop solar, zero waste programs, eco-labeling, and EV incentives (e.g., TOGG) support a growing circular and sustainable economy.
Want to find out more?
Istanbul works for meetings and conferences of all sizes through to small upmarket incentives. Cappadocia is ideal for incentives, with one night in Istanbul to begin and the numerous large-scale 5 star resorts along the Mediterranean coast are often all-inclusive, lending themselves to incentives.
Despite some challenges in recent years, including regional instability and natural disasters, Turkey has maintained its status as a top global destination thanks to government investment in tourism infrastructure and active promotion. In 2023, it ranked among the top 5 most-visited countries in the world.
Please contact us to start exploring Turkey for your event!
