Istanbul gets a morale boost from an international sporting event for the first time in a long while...

An event that offers hope for the post-pandemic period

For the first time in a year, Istanbul hosted a major international sporting event. The Karate 1 Premier League, which drew 650 athletes from 80 countries, was a morale boost for both the city and the tourism industry. TÜROB President Müberra Eresin noted that the event offered hope for a 'fresh start' for the sector and would provide an advantage in securing new business in the post-pandemic period.

Istanbul gets a morale boost from an international sporting event for the first time in a long while.

The Istanbul leg of the Karate 1 Premier League, which began yesterday (March 12) at the WOW Convention Center and will conclude tomorrow evening (March 14), drew 650 athletes from approximately 80 countries. Although the event, organized in compliance with pandemic conditions, was held without spectators, it offered hope for the post-pandemic period to both the city and the tourism industry. Tourism professionals also demonstrated, with all their venues and the meticulously applied pandemic measures, that they are ready for sports and congress tourism events.

Will provide an advantage in the recovery period

Offering an assessment on the matter, Association of Turkish Hoteliers (TÜROB) President Müberra Eresin said: "The morale effect on our sector was tremendous. Due to the pandemic, meetings, incentive trips, congresses, and exhibition events, collectively known as the MICE sector worldwide, came to a complete halt. Sports tourism is part of this as well. When MICE begins to recover globally, this type of event will provide Turkey with an advantage in securing new business."

Emphasizing that sporting events will help Istanbul and Turkey become an ambitious destination for sports tourism, Eresin said: "We see sports tourism as one of the most important instruments for the future of tourism. In addition to its immediate commercial benefits, it makes a very significant contribution to the country's image and promotion in the medium and long term. During the pandemic, Formula 1 Istanbul was held this past November. This event was held without spectators. However, it gave great morale to our sector. The 2021 UEFA Champions League Final will be in Istanbul. The 2023 European Indoor Athletics Championships will be held in Turkey. We hope that new ones will follow."

We are ready for the post-pandemic period

TÜROB Board Member and WOW İstanbul Hotels&Convention Center General Coordinator Ziya Cihan also stated that the event was held without any problems in terms of venue, saying: "As the accommodation and tourism sector, we are ready for all the events that we expect to regain momentum in the post-pandemic period."