The United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs) are pivotal global gatherings where nearly 200 nations negotiate ambitious climate action, from emission reductions to adaptation finance. Beyond diplomacy, these events deliver massive economic and promotional windfalls to host cities—particularly in tourism. COP30 (2025 in Belém, Brazil) and COP31 (2026 in Antalya, Turkey) offer a fascinating side-by-side look at how hosting a COP can transform local economies, diversify visitor profiles, and extend seasonal tourism peaks. While COP30 focused on the Amazon’s ecological spotlight in a remote northern Brazilian city, COP31 promises to supercharge Antalya’s Mediterranean appeal with congress tourism and year-round momentum.
COP30: Belém, Brazil – November 10–21, 2025
Hosted in the Amazon gateway city of Belém (state of Pará), COP30 marked a historic “Amazon focus” for climate talks, emphasizing rainforest protection, Indigenous rights, and biodiversity amid rising deforestation pressures. The summit drew tens of thousands of delegates, negotiators, activists, journalists, and world leaders to the Hangar Convention Centre and surrounding venues.
Tourism & Economic Impact Highlights:
- Belém, a less-traditional tourism hub compared to Rio or São Paulo, saw a major short-term influx of high-spending international visitors.
- The event spotlighted sustainable and eco-tourism opportunities in the Amazon region, aligning with global calls for nature-based solutions.
- However, travel industry participation was notably low—major brands largely skipped side events despite two full days dedicated to tourism and climate action.
- Infrastructure upgrades (venues, transport, hotels) provided lasting benefits, but the remote location and seasonal rainy period limited broader seasonal extension.
- Post-COP30 analyses noted modest but positive boosts to local hospitality, with emphasis on governance and adaptation in tourism sectors rather than mass visitor surges.
Overall, COP30’s tourism legacy leaned toward niche eco- and cultural promotion in an ecologically sensitive area, rather than broad diversification or long-season extension.
COP31: Antalya, Turkey – November 9–20, 2026
After a competitive bidding process (Türkiye outmaneuvered Australia and Germany via a compromise deal where Australia shares presidency elements), Antalya secured hosting rights for COP31. The Mediterranean resort city will welcome delegations from 196 countries to the Antalya EXPO Center, with parallel high-profile events like the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum and the 77th International Astronautical Congress turning 2026 into Antalya’s “global year.”
Tourism & Economic Impact Highlights:
- Season Extension: November falls in Antalya’s shoulder/low season—post-summer, pre-winter—when beach tourism traditionally dips. COP31 is expected to inject vitality, keeping hotels, restaurants, and attractions buzzing for weeks.
- Diversification: Shift toward congress/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) tourism—attracting diplomats, scientists, policymakers, and business leaders alongside leisure visitors. This broadens the visitor base beyond sun-and-sea holidaymakers.
- Marketing & Visibility: Hosting one of the world’s biggest events positions Antalya (and Türkiye) as a premier international destination for diplomacy, science, and sustainability. Officials highlight “significant marketing benefits” for tourism.
- Infrastructure Reuse: The underutilized Antalya EXPO Center gets revitalized, with follow-up meetings ensuring sustained activity.
- Visitor Projections: Antalya hit a record 17.12 million foreign tourists last year; expectations are to match or exceed that in 2026, bolstered by COP31’s high-profile draw (including many heads of state).
- Kaan Kaşif Kavaloğlu, president of the Mediterranean Touristic Hoteliers and Operators Association (AKTOB), emphasized: “Hosting COP31 in Antalya is a highly strategic step for Türkiye’s international position… This major congress will extend the tourism season… what really matters are the follow-up meetings… Holding the world’s biggest events offers significant marketing benefits.”
Head-to-Head Comparison: COP30 vs COP31 Tourism Boost
| Aspect | COP30 (Belém, Brazil, 2025) | COP31 (Antalya, Turkey, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Location Type | Remote Amazon gateway city, eco-focused | Established Mediterranean resort & congress hub |
| Timing | Mid-November (rainy season in region) | Early–mid November (shoulder/low season for beach tourism) |
| Primary Tourism Boost | Short-term influx; eco-tourism spotlight | Season extension + congress tourism diversification |
| Visitor Diversification | Limited (niche activists, scientists) | High (diplomats, policymakers, scientists + leisure) |
| Long-Term Legacy | Infrastructure upgrades; Amazon sustainability push | Follow-up events; re-evaluation of idle venues like EXPO |
| Industry Engagement | Low travel brand participation | Strong local stakeholder support (hotels, airlines, airports) |
| Economic Scale | Modest regional boost in less-touristy area | Record tourism maintenance/exceedance (17M+ visitors target) |
| Strategic Positioning | Global Amazon/climate justice narrative | Türkiye’s rise as diplomacy/science/tourism powerhouse |
Why COP31 Could Deliver a Bigger Tourism Win for Its Host
While COP30 advanced critical climate discussions in an ecologically symbolic location, its tourism ripple effects were more contained due to Belém’s remoteness and seasonal challenges. Antalya, already a mature tourism powerhouse with world-class infrastructure, airports, and hospitality experience, stands to gain exponentially from COP31. The event aligns perfectly with shoulder-season revival, MICE diversification, and global branding—potentially turning a traditionally quiet November into a high-revenue period with lasting congress-tourism momentum.
As Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum and tourism leaders prepare (first preparatory meeting held January 11, 2026), COP31 isn’t just about climate policy—it’s a strategic masterstroke for Antalya’s economy and Türkiye’s soft power.
