A field study on the problems of congress tourism in Turkey and solution suggestions

People attend meetings and congresses to inform and to be informed. The existence of meetings is, therefore, as old as the history of humanity. Contemporary understanding and practices of congresses were first seen in North America by the late ninettenth century. Rapid developments and changes in science, technology, economy and social areas increased people?s need for information.People?s participation in such events give rise to significant tourism movements. The importance of congress tourism, thus, becomes more visible with the economic and social values added by congresses and its participants to congress destinations. The fact that congress tourism has direct impact on 37 different is the clear evidence of the values of economic nature. In today?s world, where the conflict of civilizations is an issue of discussion, it also introduces very important social values to societies since it tends to avoid othering, or at least gives the chance to get to know others.The ability of congress industry to generate much added value attracted the attention of developed nations, especially Europe. Despite two world wars, Europe enjoyed the greatest share from the global market, and managed to maintain this share like North America. World congress tourism market tendencies and indications point out that new conress destinations like South Korea may emerge and develop due to the enlargement of congress market.Statistical analyses revealed the current situation with the congress tourism in Turkey, which is being practiced successfully in developed nations. The survey proved that the sutructure of the Turkish congress market is similar to the international market, the structure is shaped mainly by the private sector, universities and academics play a significant role in this market. It has also been understood that Turkey has a serious potential with its convenience, it will grow even more with its superstructure and marketing activities, and İstanbul will become an international congress destination.Turkey has expressed the conditions for the development of congress tourism as marketing and structural activities like hosting mega events, presenting different congress destinations, introducing more employment and training programs, improving legal and superstructural means. In other words, congress industry must be considered within the framework of a particular strategy together with the social and economic values it introduces, and even a ?Turkish Congress Tourism Strategy? must be adopted.Key Words:- Congress,- Meeting,- Congress Tourism- Event,- Convention Center,- Venue- Congress Organizers- Meeting Planners- MICE,- Turkey Problems,- Solution Proposals,- Congress Industry,- SWOT analysis- Congress Tourism Market- Meeting Market