While Antalya, the heart of Turkish tourism, has become one of the centers preferred by large international organizations with works ranging from facilities to infrastructure, from transportation to cultural investments, new roads added to the city's transportation network have also been put into 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 MPs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Atay Uslu, Mustafa Köse, Tuba Vural Çokal, İbrahim Ethem Taş, Serap Yazıcı Özbudun, MHP Antalya Deputy Abdurrahman President, 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 were also present.
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 made Antalya a center of choice for large international organizations.
COP31 IN ANTALYA ON 9-20 NOVEMBER
Stating 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 9-20 November, Ersoy stated that the biggest problems that threaten all humanity will be discussed under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's political leadership, First Lady Erdoğan's social leadership and Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Murat Kurum.
Hoping that COP31 will be beneficial for Turkey and that it will serve humanity and the world as a serious table of ideas, communication and solutions regarding the problems in its area of responsibility, Ersoy emphasized that the quality and capacity in facilities, strong infrastructure moves and the diversity and comfort of the transportation network played an important role in the rise of Antalya.
19.2 BILLION LIRA INVESTMENT IN ANTALYA IN 24 YEARS
Stating that, as the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, they serve Antalya with a versatile perspective, Minister Ersoy said, "We have invested 19.2 billion liras in culture and tourism in Antalya in the last 24 years." he said.
In this context, Ersoy stated that Antalya Elmalı Muhammed Hamdi Yazır Cultural Center was brought to the city with an investment of 527 million liras, and said that the physical realization of the Antalya İbradı Ormana Cultural Center worth 66.6 million liras has reached 99 percent, the temporary acceptance process is continuing and the center is planned to be put into service this month.
Ersoy also noted that 141 million liras of support was provided to 8 projects within the scope of the Support for Public Cultural Investments Project, and the total current value of the support given to the infrastructure investments made in Antalya between 2002 and 2026 and the tourism infrastructure projects of local governments reached approximately 18.1 billion liras.
BILLIONS OF LIRA INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM
Referring to the wastewater treatment plant investments made to ensure the sustainability of Antalya tourism and to prevent sea pollution, Ersoy said that the Serik 2 Wastewater Treatment Plant, which serves the Serik Region and Belek Tourism Center, was completed and put into service in 2021, and the Boğazkent Pumping Center and promotion 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 Related Infrastructure Facilities, the construction of which started in February 2023, was completed and put into operation in April 2024, Ersoy stated that the current cost of this project is 3.6 billion lira.
Stating that they have started to work on the new infrastructure need arising from the intensity of tourism in the Kadriye-Belek region, ongoing construction and population growth, Ersoy stated that the construction of sewerage promotion lines and additional final sedimentation pools and disc filter disinfection units to the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant is continuing. Stating that when the works are completed, the Çandır Package Treatment Plant will be deactivated and the wastewater of the region will be treated in the Serik Wastewater Treatment Plant, Ersoy said that these works also constitute an important step of the preparation process for COP31.
14 FREE PUBLIC BEACHES WITH 5 STAR QUALITY
Reminding that 14 5-star quality free public beaches have been added to Antalya, Minister Ersoy said, "We continue to offer our people the high level of quality and comfort they deserve by doing our best." he said.
Stating that they unearthed the ancient cities of Antalya within the scope of Heritage to the Future, which is the most comprehensive project in the history of archaeology, and restored and revived them, Ersoy said that these areas were brought to the tourism, cultural and artistic life of the city with Night Museums and art events.
Ersoy stated that they will continue to develop and disseminate these applications, which have turned into a serious socioeconomic benefit.
THE NUMBER OF ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES INCREASED FROM 523 TO 2 THOUSAND 709
Stating that the investments made in Antalya have given serious impetus to the development of the city and enabled it to become an international brand in tourism, Ersoy reminded that there were 523 accommodation facilities with operating licenses and 150 thousand 955 beds in Antalya in 2002.
Explaining that today the number of accommodation facilities with operating licenses has increased more than 5 times to 2 thousand 709, and the bed capacity has increased more than 4 times to 619 thousand 644, Ersoy said that this growth brings with it new needs.
4 MAIN ARTERIES, 12 HOTELS CONNECTION ROADS, APPROXIMATELY 38 KILOMETERS
Stating that they acted in serious cooperation with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change while responding to these needs, Ersoy said that Minister Murat Kurum and his colleagues worked intensively for Antalya within the scope of COP31 preparations.
Stating that the ongoing work in the field of EXPO has the capacity and quality to highlight Antalya for major international organizations, Ersoy announced that approximately 38 kilometers of new road construction has been carried out in the field of transportation.
Stating that the new transportation investment covers 4 main arterial roads and 12 hotel connection roads, Ersoy stated that in addition to the new roads, road improvement, regulation and superstructure manufacturing were carried out by taking into account the existing road conditions and route features.
Ersoy said that a holistic transportation project has been implemented with works from intersections to sidewalks and road lighting.
“COP31 WILL ADD SERIOUS VALUE TO ANTALYA BRAND”
Thanking the Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, and those who contributed to the projects brought to Antalya and the fact that COP31 will be held in the city, Minister Ersoy concluded his speech by expressing his belief that COP31 will add serious value to the Antalya brand.
“COP31 IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANTALYA”
Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum stated that the world's attention will be focused on Antalya due to COP31 and 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 activity, Kurum said, "Every guest who comes here will see the beauty of Antalya, recognize its hospitality and tell about Antalya when he returns to his country. Antalya will win, our tradesmen will win, our tourism professionals will win, our citizens will win, Türkiye will win." he said.
38 KILOMETERS OF WORK ON BELEK TOURISM ROAD
Announcing that the 38-kilometer Belek Tourism Road in Antalya has been completed, Minister Kurum stated that four main arteries were handled from start to finish and comprehensive works were carried out on the main arterial road of over 21 kilometers.
Stating that the roads were widened, additional intersections were built, pavements and curbs were renewed, the Institution said; He noted that lighting systems were completed, environmental security elements were added, and necessary improvements were made on roads and sidewalks.
Stating that a total of 16 kilometers of work was carried out on 12 separate connection roads connecting the main arteries to the hotels in Belek, Kurum said that each route was evaluated according to its own conditions and the necessary improvements, arrangements and superstructure manufacturing were completed.
EXPO 2016 AREA IS BEING TRANSFORMED INTO A PERMANENT FAIR AND CONGRESS CENTER
Stating that they have completely reconsidered the EXPO 2016 area, Minister Kurum emphasized that they do not see the 1 million square meter area as a temporary center prepared for only a few days of organization.
Stating that they have transformed the area into a strong fair, congress and event infrastructure that will serve Antalya for many years, Kurum said that the work is carried out in two main sections, the "Blue Zone" and the "Green Zone".
Stating that the Blue Zone will be the center where official negotiations will be held and international organizations will come together, Kurum noted that the Green Zone will bring the climate summit together with the society by bringing together the business world, academia, young people and entrepreneurs.
NEARLY 100 THOUSAND VISITORS ARE EXPECTED AT COP31
Minister Kurum announced that they expect nearly 100 thousand visitors in Antalya within the scope of COP31 and stated that the preparation works are progressing ahead of the planned schedule.
Stating that 1,510 personnel and 334 machines and equipment are working in the field, Kurum stated that simultaneous work is being carried out in a wide area from steel construction to roof, from facade to infrastructure, from road to parking lot, from interior spaces to landscaping.
Stating that a significant part of the main manufacturing has been completed, Kurum said, "We will tell the world about Antalya, Turkey and our civilization at the COP summit. We will once again announce the attitude of our President in favor of peace, tranquility and solution in every field." he said.
Wishing that the opened roads would be beneficial for Antalya, the region and Turkey, Minister Kurum thanked the Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy for his support in the process.
