05.09.2026 12:01
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that they have invested 19.2 billion lira in culture and tourism in Antalya over the past 24 years. Ersoy stated that the number of licensed accommodation facilities in Antalya, which was 523 in 2002, has increased to 2,709, and the bed capacity has risen from 150,955 to 619,644. He also reported that approximately 38 kilometers of new road construction have been completed as part of the COP31 preparations.
Antalya, the heart of Turkish tourism, has become one of the preferred centers for major international organizations through efforts ranging from facility development to infrastructure, transportation to cultural investments, while new roads added to the city's transportation network have also been opened to service.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum attended the road opening program held in Antalya. At the opening; AK Party Antalya deputies Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Atay Uslu, Mustafa Köse, Tuba Vural Çokal, İbrahim Ethem Taş, Serap Yazıcı Özbudun, MHP Antalya Deputy Abdurrahman Başkan, AK Party Provincial Chairman Ali Çetin, MHP Provincial Chairman Sadullah Güneş, Deputy Ministers of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Ömer Bulut, Burak Demiralp, and Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Nadir Alpaslan also took part. Speaking at the program, Minister Ersoy said that the investments made in Antalya, the projects implemented, and the works and services brought to the city by different ministries with a common vision have elevated Antalya to a position of a center preferred for major international organizations.
COP31 to be Held in Antalya on November 9-20
Noting that as a manifestation of this development, the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31), the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be held in Antalya between November 9-20, Ersoy stated that under the political leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the social leadership of Emine Erdoğan, and the chairmanship of Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, the greatest problems threatening all humanity will be put on the table. Expressing his hope that COP31 will be beneficial for Turkey and serve humanity and the world as a serious platform for ideas, communication, and solutions regarding problems within its area of responsibility, Ersoy emphasized that the quality and capacity of facilities, strong infrastructure initiatives, and the diversity and comfort of the transportation network have played an important role in Antalya's rise.
19.2 Billion Lira Investment in Antalya in 24 Years
Stating that as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they serve Antalya with a multifaceted perspective, Minister Ersoy said, "In the last 24 years, we have invested 19.2 billion lira in culture and tourism in Antalya." Ersoy reported that within this scope, the Antalya Elmalı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır Culture Center was brought to the city with an investment of 527 million lira, that physical completion has reached 99 percent at the Antalya İbradı Ormana Culture Center with a cost of 66.6 million lira, that the temporary acceptance process continues, and that the center is planned to be put into service within this month. Ersoy also noted that within the scope of the Support Project for Publicly Funded Culture Investments, 141 million lira in support was provided to 8 projects, and that the total current value of infrastructure investments carried out in Antalya between 2002-2026, along with support given to local governments' tourism infrastructure projects, has reached approximately 18.1 billion lira.
Billions of Lira in Infrastructure for Tourism Sustainability
Referring also to the wastewater treatment plant investments made to ensure the sustainability of Antalya tourism and prevent sea pollution, Ersoy said that the Serik 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant, serving the Serik Region and Belek Tourism Center, was completed and opened in 2021, and the Boğazkent Pumping Station and pumping works were put into operation at the end of 2022. He reported that the current cost of the project is 4.4 billion lira.
Stating that the Antalya Kemer-Çamyuva Wastewater Treatment Plant and Associated Infrastructure Facilities, whose construction began in February 2023, were completed and put into operation in April 2024, Ersoy stated that the current cost of this project is 3.6 billion lira. Ersoy also stated that they have initiated work on the new infrastructure needs arising due to the tourism density, ongoing construction, and population growth in the Kadriye-Belek region, and reported that construction of sewer pumping lines, additional final settling tanks, and a disc filter disinfection unit for the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant is ongoing. Noting that when the works are completed, the Çandır Package Treatment Plant will be decommissioned and the region's wastewater will be treated at the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ersoy said these efforts also constitute an important part of the preparation process for COP31.
14 Free Public Beaches of 5-Star Quality
Reminding that 14 free public beaches of 5-star quality have been brought to Antalya, Minister Ersoy said, "By doing our best, we continue to offer our people the high-level quality and comfort they deserve." Stating that within the scope of the Heritage for the Future project, the most comprehensive project in the history of archaeology, they have unearthed Antalya's ancient cities and restored them, Ersoy said these areas have been brought to the city's tourism, culture, and art life through Night Museology and art events. Ersoy stated that they will continue to develop and expand these practices, which yield significant socioeconomic benefits.
Number of Accommodation Facilities Rose from 523 to 2,709
Noting that investments in Antalya have provided significant momentum to the city's development and enabled it to become an international brand in tourism, Ersoy recalled that in 2002, Antalya had 523 licensed accommodation facilities with 150,955 beds. Announcing that today the number of licensed accommodation facilities has increased more than fivefold to 2,709, and bed capacity has increased more than fourfold to 619,644, Ersoy said this growth has also brought new needs.
4 Main Arteries, 12 Hotel Access Roads, Approximately 38 Kilometers
Stating that while responding to these needs, they act in serious cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Ersoy said that within the scope of COP31 preparations, Minister Murat Kurum and his colleagues are carrying out intensive work for Antalya. Stating that the ongoing works at the EXPO area have the capacity and quality to highlight Antalya for major international organizations, Ersoy announced that approximately 38 kilometers of new roads have also been constructed in the transportation field.
Stating that the new transportation investment covers 4 main arterial roads and 12 hotel access roads, Ersoy stated that in addition to new roads, road improvement, regulation, and superstructure works have also been carried out, taking into account existing road conditions and route characteristics.
Ersoy stated that a holistic transportation project has been implemented with works ranging from intersections to sidewalks and road lighting.
"COP31 Will Add Significant Value to the Antalya Brand"
Minister Ersoy, thanking Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum and all those who contributed for the projects brought to Antalya and for COP31 to be held in the city, concluded his speech by expressing his belief that COP31 will add significant value to the Antalya brand.
"COP31 Is a Huge Opportunity for Antalya"
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum also stated that the world's attention will be turned to Antalya due to COP31, and said that the organization will make significant contributions to the city's tourism, trade, transportation, and international recognition. Stating that every segment of Antalya's economy, from hotels to restaurants, from taxi drivers to tradesmen, will benefit from this mobility, Kurum said, "Every guest who comes here will see the beauty of Antalya, get to know its hospitality, and tell about Antalya when they return to their country. Antalya will win, our tradesmen will win, our tourism professionals will win, our citizens will win, Turkey will win."
38-Kilometer Work on Belek Tourism Road
Minister Kurum, announcing the completion of the 38-kilometer Belek Tourism Road in Antalya, reported that four main arteries were addressed from start to finish and comprehensive work was carried out on the main artery road exceeding 21 kilometers. Stating that the roads were widened, additional intersections were built, and sidewalks and curbs were renewed, Kurum noted that lighting systems were completed, environmental security elements were added, and necessary improvements were made on the roads and sidewalks. Kurum, stating that a total of 16 kilometers of work was also carried out on 12 separate connection roads connecting the main arteries to the hotels in Belek, said that each route was evaluated according to its own conditions and the necessary improvement, arrangement, and superstructure works were completed.
EXPO 2016 Area Transforms into a Permanent Fair and Congress Center
Minister Kurum, stating that they have completely re-addressed the EXPO 2016 area, emphasized that they do not view the 1 million square meter area merely as a temporary center prepared for a few-day event. Kurum, stating that they have transformed the area into a strong fair, congress, and event infrastructure that will serve Antalya for many years, said that the work is being carried out in two main sections: the "Blue Zone" and the "Green Zone." Kurum stated that the Blue Zone will be the center where official negotiations will be conducted and international organizations will come together, while the Green Zone will bring together the business world, academia, youth, and entrepreneurs, connecting the climate summit with the public.
Close to 100,000 Visitors Expected at COP31
Minister Kurum, announcing that they expect close to 100,000 visitors in Antalya within the scope of COP31, reported that preparation work is progressing ahead of the planned schedule. Kurum, stating that 1,510 personnel and 334 machines and equipment are on duty in the field, noted that simultaneous work is continuing in a wide area from steel construction to roofing, from facades to infrastructure, from roads to parking lots, and from interiors to landscaping. Stating that a significant portion of the main manufacturing has been completed, Kurum said, "At the COP summit, we will tell the world about Antalya, Turkey, and our civilization. We will once again voice our President's stance favoring peace, tranquility, and solution in every field." Wishing that the inaugurated roads would be beneficial for Antalya, the region, and Turkey, Minister Kurum thanked Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy for his support during the process.