Antalya to Host COP31 Climate Conference, Boosting Congress Tourism and Extending Travel Season

Antalya will host the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a major international event expected to support tourism diversification and extend the city’s tourism season.

The conference will take place from November 9 to 20 at the Antalya EXPO Fair Area and is set to bring together representatives from 196 countries, including heads of state, senior government officials, scientists and policymakers. Key discussions will focus on climate change, greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, sustainability and global environmental policies.

Tourism season set to extend

Antalya, which welcomed a record 17.12 million foreign tourists last year, continues to strengthen its profile as a host for large-scale international events. Tourism industry representatives say holding COP31 in November—a traditionally low season—will help extend the tourism calendar and support year-round economic activity through congress and event tourism.

Beyond COP31, the city is also scheduled to host the fifth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF 2026) and the 77th International Astronautical Congress, further reinforcing its status as a hub for diplomacy, science and global conferences.

Industry leaders highlight strategic importance

Chairman of the Akdeniz Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), Kaan Kasif Kavaloglu, described COP31 as one of the world’s largest international gatherings and underlined its strategic importance for Türkiye’s global standing. He said securing the hosting rights required extensive efforts and strong institutional backing.

Kavaloglu also noted that the conference will attract high-level participation, including heads of state, and help ensure more effective use of the Antalya EXPO area. While COP31 is expected to extend the tourism season in the short term, he added that its long-term value lies in follow-up meetings and the potential to attract more international events in the future.