- Address: Doğuyaka, 07300 Muratpaşa
- info@stbir.org
Sports & Events Turkey, one of the leading international business development platforms for the sports tourism sector, kicked off with a grand opening in Antalya. Hosted by the Sports Tourism Association and supported by main sponsors Diana Travel, Aksu Tur, and Fraport TAV Antalya Airport, the event brought together approximately 50 international sports tourism agencies, event companies, and purchasing professionals from around the world at the Antalya Nirvana Cosmopolitan Hotel.
The opening ceremony, aimed at strengthening Turkey's international position in sports tourism, was attended by Antalya Deputy Governor Tahsin Aksu, Uludağ Area Manager Candemir Zoroğlu, Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Yusuf Hacısüleyman, Antalya Provincial Director of Youth and Sports Yavuz Gürhan, Turkey Tourism Development Agency Sports Marketing Manager Serhan Sarı, Western Mediterranean Development Agency General Secretary Volkan Güler, and Sports Tourism Association President Nida Kiraz, as well as leading representatives of Turkey's sports tourism sector.
The opening program highlighted Turkey's growth potential in sports tourism, its strong infrastructure, its year-round event capacity, and its competitiveness in the international market. Participants highlighted the strategic role of sports tourism in achieving Turkey's sustainable tourism goals.
The Sports & Events organization had previously attracted the attention of the international sports tourism sector by generating approximately €3 billion in business at its event held in Seville, Spain. The goal of the organization, which is now being held in Turkey under a five-year agreement with the Sports Tourism Association, is to achieve similar economic volumes within the next five years, making Turkey one of the world's leading centers for sports tourism.
Over 1,200 one-on-one business meetings will be held during the three-day event. Buyers and event companies from different countries will hold direct meetings with Turkey's sports tourism destinations, hotels, training centers, and event companies.
In addition to Antalya, important Turkish sports tourism destinations such as Uludağ, Çanakkale, and the Kayseri Erciyes High Altitude Training Center will also be featured at the event. Participants have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with leading decision-makers from around the world to bring international sports organizations, camp programs, and events to Turkey.
Sports & Events Turkey stands out as more than just a meeting event; it's a significant business development platform showcasing Turkey's international vision in sports tourism. Through the meetings held throughout the event, the goal is to bring new organizations to Turkey, increase the number of international camp programs, and establish long-term collaborations.
In her opening remarks, Nida Kiraz, President of the Sports Tourism Association, stated that they aim to support Turkey's rise in sports tourism through international collaborations, saying:
“Turkey has gained significant momentum in sports tourism in recent years. Thanks to our climate advantage, quality facilities, transportation infrastructure, and organizational experience, we are progressing towards becoming one of the world's most important sports tourism destinations. With Sports & Events Turkey, we bring together leading buyers, event companies, and destination managers from around the world in our country. We believe that the collaborations established here will make significant contributions to Turkey's sports tourism economy in the coming years.”
Bringing together industry leaders from different countries around the world in Antalya, Sports & Events Turkey aims to strengthen Turkey's international business network in the field of sports tourism and open up new business opportunities through meetings that will continue for three days.
