Ankara’s NATO Summit Generates Nearly 900 Million TL Economic Gain

The 36th NATO State and Government Leaders Summit was held in Ankara on 7‑8 July 2024, marking the capital’s first time hosting the event. About 23 hotels accommodated roughly 5,500 official delegates, and an estimated 7,000 foreign guests visited the city.

According to Erhan Karakaya, Ankara’s provincial culture and tourism director, the summit produced an economic contribution of 800‑900 million Turkish lira. Around 600 million lira came directly from hotel revenues, while food‑and‑beverage, small‑merchant sales, shopping centres and logistics added the remainder. The impact represents a six‑fold increase compared with the same period last year. QR‑code‑enabled tourism brochures were provided to delegations, encouraging visits to sites such as Ankara Castle and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.

Karakaya noted that the event boosted Ankara’s international profile and that preparations are already underway for the 13th Turkish‑States Organization summit scheduled for October.