If these attributes sound good to you
- Center of the world
- Easy access
- Something for everyone
- Comfortably exotic
then keep reading for more information on our Motivation Excellence destination spotlight on Istanbul! You can also see for yourself some of the beautiful and unique venues perfect for hosting your next meeting or travel incentive by watching a roughly 15-minute webinar hosted by destination management company MEP.
Istanbul straddles both European and Asian continents! It’s the most connected city in the world as far as air travel goes, and is full of ancient history and modern wonders. The lifestyle and business environment is very Westernized, making it “comfortably exotic” for Americans to visit according to MEP Managing Director Eda Ozden.
Keep reading for a summary of why Istanbul should make your next list for future travel.
Venues
Options here range from events in cisterns more than 1,600 years old to modern art museums. The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel is an actual Ottoman palace operating now as a 5-star luxury hotel. The brand new cruise port and waterfront complex offers many new venue options. From old to brand new, Istanbul has it all covered.
Group Size
The perfect group size for a personalized visit is up to 150 people. Although there are many venues and hotel options that can accommodate much larger groups, Ozden recommends capping the attendance to keep the experience more meaningful and individualized.
Food
While you may think of kabobs as the best-known Turkish cuisine, in truth you’ll find food from many different influences in Istanbul. As a Mediterranean country, fresh fruit and veggies are popular, along with olive oil, yogurt and hummus dishes. Russian staples, Steak houses and pizza restaurants are also plentiful.
Best Season
While both fall and spring are preferred times to visit, the summer offers great weather and the best pricing options since it’s the off-season for business travelers. Istanbul does get occasional snow in the winter months, but nothing compared to the Midwest and East coast of the United States.
If you’re interested in learning more about Istanbul or Turkey, please connect with us! You can email ME@MotivationExcellence.com or reach out directly to our VP Travel Brad Hecht at B.Hecht@MotivationExcellence.com.
Look for more destination spotlights coming in 2022!
