Over the centuries much has changed, but first-time visitors, however sophisticated, are still likely to be astonished by the city’s dynamism and diversity, not to mention its sheer size.....In 1965, for example, Istanbul had 2 million inhabitants. Today it has 12 million, and this is a conservative estimate. And, it goes, without saying that the city’s economy has expanded with its population, as have its cultural resources. Dozens of new museums and art galleries seem to open every year, with the Istanbul Modern, the Pera Museum and the Sakip Sabanci Museum being notable recent additions. As Istanbul gears up for 2010, more are due to open, including an icon museum in the majestic 6th century basilica of Hagia Irene. Today, in the 21st century, Istanbul continues to amaze with its diversity and striking combination of exotic history and contemporary élan.

2010 can only enhance Istanbul’s status. Exhibitions, concerts and operas will draw thousands of visitors to the city. A highlight will be performances of three operas on themes derived from Ottoman history – Vivaldi’s Bajazed, Rossini’s Maometto II and Joseph Kraus’ Soliman, the last-named to be staged in the glamorous setting of Topkapi Palace. The exhibition Imperial Passions will be devoted to the artistic talents of the sultans, for example Suleyman the Magnificent’s poetry, Selim III’s music and furniture designed and constructed by Abdulhamid II. There will also be an intriguing series of concerts pairing the music of Bela Bartok and Ahmet Adnan Saygun, who toured Anatolia together in the 1930s collecting folk songs, which they later used in their symphonic compositions. There is even a celebration of Istanbul’s tango tradition.

Istanbul may not be Turkey’s political capital, but in every other field -- finance, industry, and commerce as well as culture-- its pre-eminence is undeniable. Istanbul’s restaurants and nightclubs are the talk of Europe and America, regularly winning praise from The Guardian, The Independent and the New York Times. Its festivals, whether film, jazz, blues or traditional folk are, are increasingly prominent on the international scene and part of a vibrant artistic and cultural life. Taken together with its unique position at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, its unsurpassed architectural heritage, and ultra modern facilities these factors make Istanbul a truly exceptional destination for your incentives and conferences.

The possibilities for incentives are nearly limitless. Your guests will naturally want to see Istanbul’s great Byzantine and Ottoman monuments, but it would be a pity if you did not also include a sunset cruise on the Bosphorus. Another possible alternative would be a day trip to the idyllic Princess’ Islands in the Sea of Marmara. Or your guests might like to discover the secrets of Turkey’s traditional arts and crafts, from carpets and kilims to ceramics and calligraphy or to explore Istanbul’s lively and eclectic musical scene that helps to make the city a cultural capital.

Istanbul isn’t just a legendary meeting place, however. It has also hosted some of the world’s largest and most prestigious conferences, with 2006 highlights including the 17th World Accounting Congress (WCOA 2006) with 6,000 participants, the 31st Biennial Congress of the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO 2006), with 8,000 participants and the World Psychiatric Association International Congress (WPA 2006) with 3,000 participants. Istanbul’s unique Conference Valley lies at the heart of the modern city, overlooking the Bosphorus and the sprawling mass of Dolmabahçe Palace. As well as state-of-the-art conference facilities featuring a 2,000 person auditorium and banquet seating for up to 4,000, the Valley also contains many of Istanbul’s finest 4- and 5-star hotels. And conference facilities in Istanbul are not limited to the Conference Valley, either. The Airport District features over 100,000 square meters of exhibition space at CNR Expo Center, a part of the Istanbul World Trade Center, and the area also boasts several excellent 4- and 5-star hotels. In addition, the new Maslak financial district will see several conference facilities opening and boasts several excellent hotels. Another factor that ensures the resounding success of conferences and incentives in Istanbul is Turkish hospitality. In Turkey, making foreign visitors feel at home and treating them with meticulous courtesy are matters of honor.

When you are planning your next conference or incentive, keep in mind that now, one of the world’s most exciting destinations, Istanbul, is more exciting than ever. Bringing your participants to a European Capital of Culture means adding extra value and appeal to an already attractive destination, one with a record for attracting exceptionally high numbers of participants to conferences held here. Whether you add concerts, exhibitions or festivals to your conference schedule, or just let your delegates discover this Capital of Culture for themselves, Istanbul will be an unforgettably enriching experience. In 2010, more than ever, Istanbul will be a place where peoples and cultures come together to create exceptional events.