Antalya invests 19.2 billion lira in tourism and infrastructure

Antalya is undergoing significant infrastructure and cultural development in preparation for the COP31 UN Climate Change Conference, scheduled for November 9–20. To support the event, which is expected to host over 100,000 visitors, officials have completed approximately 38 kilometers of new roads in the Belek tourism region, including four main arteries and 12 hotel connection roads.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that 19.2 billion lira has been invested in Antalya’s culture and tourism sectors over the last 24 years. This investment has seen the number of licensed accommodation facilities grow from 523 in 2002 to 2,709, while bed capacity has increased from roughly 151,000 to over 619,000. Key projects include the Elmalı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır Cultural Center and the ongoing transformation of the EXPO 2016 area into a permanent international fair and congress center.

Minister of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change Murat Kurum emphasized that these infrastructure improvements, including the new Belek tourism roads, are designed as permanent assets to benefit the local economy and tourism industry long after the summit concludes. Additional investments have also focused on sustainable tourism, such as wastewater treatment plants in Serik and Kemer-Çamyuva.