Minister Ersoy: Antalya has turned into an international center with COP31 and investments

Ersoy, in his speech at the COP31 Area and Hotels Zone Roads opening program held in the EXPO Area with the participation of the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, said that the investments made, the projects implemented, the works and services brought to the city by different ministries with a common vision have made Antalya a center of choice for large international organizations.

Reminding that the 31st Conference of the Parties, the highest decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, will be held in the city between 9-20 November, Ersoy stated that the biggest problems of the world, which actually threaten all humanity, will be discussed under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political leadership, First Lady Erdoğan's social leadership and the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Institution.

19.2 billion lira investment in culture and tourism in Antalya in 24 years

Ersoy noted that the high level of quality and high capacity in the facility, strong moves in the infrastructure, and the diversity and comfort of the transportation network ensure the continuity of Antalya's rise.

Stating that very intense work has been carried out and will continue to be carried out in order to reach this position, Ersoy said:

"As the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we attach serious importance to the heart of Turkish tourism and work continuously with a multifaceted perspective at the point of service to our city. We have invested 19.2 billion liras in culture and tourism in Antalya in the last 24 years. We brought Antalya Elmalı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır Cultural Center to our city with an investment of 527 million liras. The Antalya İbradı Ormana Cultural Center project, which we implemented with an investment of 66.6 million liras, also has physical "The implementation rate has reached 99 percent. We are currently running the temporary acceptance process. Hopefully, we will put it into service this month."

Explaining that they also support the projects of different institutions, Ersoy stated that they provided 141 million liras of support to 8 projects within the framework of the Support for Public Cultural Investments Project.

Minister Ersoy stated that approximately 18.1 billion lira of support was given to the infrastructure investments and tourism infrastructure investment projects of local governments in Antalya between 2002 and 2026.

Underlining that they focused on wastewater treatment plant investments in order to ensure sustainability in tourism and prevent sea pollution, Ersoy continued his words as follows:

"We completed the Serik 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant and put it into service in 2021. Within the scope of this project, we also completed the Boğazkent Pumping Center and Pumping Works and put them into operation as of the end of 2022. The current cost of the project is 4.4 billion lira. The Antalya Kemer-Çamyuva Wastewater Treatment Plant and Associated Infrastructure Facilities, the construction of which we started in February 2023, were completed in April We completed and put it into operation in 2024. The current cost of this project is 3.6 billion lira. Of course, we never work with the mentality of doing it and finishing it while serving our nation. We are constantly monitoring to identify and meet new needs as we build new facilities, renew and develop existing ones.

Stating that they saw that the existing infrastructure services were insufficient due to the intensity of tourism in the Kadriye-Belek region, rapidly continuing construction and population growth, and that they quickly took the necessary steps, Ersoy noted that they made serious investments in the field of infrastructure in the Yukarı Kocayatak and Çandır Hali regions.

Ersoy stated that they brought 14 5-star quality free public beaches to Antalya.

The number of accommodation facilities with operating licenses reached 2 thousand 709

Explaining that they unearthed the ancient cities of Antalya one by one within the scope of their Heritage to the Future works, restored them and revived them in their most magnificent form, Ersoy stated that they brought these unique areas to the tourism, cultural and artistic life of the city with Night Museums and art events.

Emphasizing that all these investments have given a serious acceleration to the development of Antalya and turned it into an international brand in terms of tourism, Ersoy continued as follows:

"In 2002, the number of accommodation facilities with operating licenses in Antalya was 523, and the bed capacity in these facilities was 150 thousand 955. Today, the number of accommodation facilities with operating licenses has increased more than 5 times to 2 thousand 709, and the bed capacity in these facilities has increased more than 4 times to 619 thousand 644. Such growth, of course, brings with it new needs. As the Ministry works to respond to these needs, we also cooperate seriously with our other ministries. We move in it.”

Ersoy noted that they have taken serious steps in every field, from facility installation to transportation, from airport capacity increase to infrastructure works.

Pointing out that permanent services have been provided to the city within the scope of COP31 preparation works and that the road opened today is one of these works, Ersoy added that a serious transportation project has been implemented with a holistic approach.