The 77th International Astronautical Congress closed in Antalya after bringing more than 10,000 participants from 111 countries to the city between 5 and 9 October 2026. Mustafa Fethi Gürbüz, chairman of the Turkish event organiser behind the congress, estimated a contribution of about €20 million to Antalya's economy. The attendance count is a useful signal for the city's international congress market, but the euro figure should be read as an organiser's estimate rather than an audited government statistic.
What the official event record confirms
IAC 2026 was held at the NEST Congress Center under the coordination of Turkey's Ministry of Industry and Technology, with the Turkish Space Agency and SAHA Istanbul as hosts. The programme ran for five days and brought together space agencies, companies, researchers, students and institutional delegations. Anadolu Agency reported more than 10,000 participants from 111 countries at the close of the event.
Where the €20 million figure comes from
The approximate €20 million contribution was stated by Gürbüz, whose organisation worked on the event, and was reported by Anadolu Agency. He linked the estimate to congress operations and participant spending, including accommodation and other local purchases. No itemised methodology or independently audited impact study was published with the statement, so the number should not be presented as an official measured total.
Why this matters beyond the summer season
A large international event in October brings demand to hotels, transport, food services and venues after the main beach-holiday peak. That supports Antalya's effort to diversify from seasonal leisure travel toward congress and business tourism. One event, however, does not prove a permanent rise in year-round occupancy; the stronger test is whether the city secures repeat events and a stable calendar across several years.
What investors and operators should verify
Hotel owners, venue operators and property investors should not convert a citywide spending estimate into a promised return for a specific asset. Useful checks include the event calendar, weekday occupancy, average room rates, transport access, operating costs and the share of demand outside July and August. The announced 2030 European ear, nose and throat congress in Antalya is a forward booking signal, not a guaranteed revenue figure.
Ministry of Industry and Technology — official IAC 2026 opening announcement →
Anadolu Agency — attendance figures and organiser's local-economy estimate, 9 October 2026 →