Hacer Aydin, ITE Turkey Tourism & Travel & Fashion Group Director answered questions of ftnNEWS.
ftnNEWS: Can you please give us information about EMITT 2017?
This year we’ll be organizing East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition – EMITT for the 21st time. EMITT is organized by EUF – E Uluslararası Fuarcılık, an affiliate of ITE Turkey, organizer of leading exhibitions in leading sectors in Turkey. Recognized as one of the top 5 tourism exhibitions in the world, EMITT will be held between 26-29 January 2017. The exhibition will be held in a total of 12 halls representing a total exhibition space of 70 thousand sqm and will be joined by national pavilions, Turkey’s holiday destinations, winter and outdoor tourism destinations, hotels and tourism centers, tour operators, agencies and hotels who will showcase and promote a wide range of holiday destinations to visitors. With this exhibition we’ll bring together holiday destinations for all 4 seasons both from Turkey and 80 countries.
ftnNEWS: What is EMITT’s significance for the sector?
The exhibition which will be held in a total of 12 halls representing a total exhibition space of 70 thousand sqm will host national pavilions, Turkey’s holiday destinations, winter and outdoor tourism destinations, hotels and tourism centers, tour operators, agencies and hotels as exhibitors and give information to visitors about a wide range of holiday destinations. Companies from around 80 countries will get access to new procurement, business development, new business and partnership opportunities. Thus, we can say that EMITT makes a great contribution to the sector.
On the other hand, economic contribution of EMITT, which is also a major platform that facilitates interaction between different cultures in Turkey and between international cultures, can’t be underestimated. Hundreds of international exhibitors that come to our country for EMITT and thousands of visitors and exhibitors coming to Istanbul from other parts of our country enliven the tourism in the city. And those coming from abroad also enliven the economy. The biggest deals and partnerships of the tourism industry in our country are being made here. Business deals that will benefit our country are being signed thanks to EMITT. Turkey’s position as a transit country due to its geographical location, and its proximity to Europe and Middle East also makes EMITT distinguished exhibition. While the Eastern Mediterranean Region – as mentioned in our exhibition’s name- is considered to be easily accessible for many countries, it also nests many different holiday destinations as well.
ftnNEWS: Can you please give us information about EMITT 2017’s supporters and business partners?
EMITT, which will be organized at Tuyap Fair Convention and Congress center between 26 – 29 January 2017 will be held with the corporate sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkish Republic, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Turkish Airlines, with support of KOSGEB and in association with Turkish Hoteliers Federation (TÜROFED) and Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TYD).
ftnNEWS: What changes will this year’s EMITT be offering?
Recognized as one of the top five tourism exhibitions in the world, EMITT will be featuring the “Health Tourism Special Section” geared towards the health tourism industry, which has become very popular in recent years. In the Health Tourism Special Section, which will be joined by around 30 countries including Turkey, there will also be numerous health centers for treatment and plastic surgery. Ministry of Health of Turkish Republic as well will be joining the exhibition with a large exhibition space.
ftnNEWS: Will Russia join this year and what other countries will join?
As we do every year, this year as well, we’ll have a Hosted Buyer – International Buyer Delegation Program for EMITT. This year we’ll be organizing this program in association with TravelShop Turkey. We’ve already received applications from 60 countries that wish to join the program. Russia is among these countries. And we believe that the number of companies from Russia that wish to join this program will increase until the exhibition. In addition to companies from Russia, companies from Azerbaijan, United Arab Emirates, Philippines, South Africa, India, Spain, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Jordan and Greece as well show great interest in EMITT and apply to this program.
ftnNEWS: What will be the advantages of visiting EMITT exhibition?
With such a diverse exhibitor profile, the visitors of the exhibition will get the chance to discover new destinations and plan their 2017 holidays in detail. EMITT Tourism exhibition will help its visitors choose their holiday destinations at bargain prices, with “Early booking” campaigns and with holiday drawings. Holiday consumers will be hosted on the third and fourth of the exhibition which is 28 to 29 January 2017. Free online invitations for EMITT will be availablefor both before and during the exhibition.
ftnNEWS: Do you think there is sufficient state support for the tourism industry in general and for EMITT?
EMITT, which will be opening its doors for the 21st time between 26 – 29 January 2017, received great support from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkish Republic regarding holiday sales for summer of 2017 and 2018. The ministry sent a letter of incentive to tourism companies and tour operators to encourage them to offer EMITT visitors holiday deals at lower prices.
The early booking campaigns stated with support from the ministry with the goal of supporting the tourism industry in our country, creating holiday awareness in our citizens, help our citizens to travel across and discover their country and benefit from touristic facilities at lower prices, has come a long way in recent years. If the travel agencies and hotels that will join EMITT take into account the incentive of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkish Republic and prepare their discounted holiday package deals in advance, then our people will get the chance to enjoy holidays at prices that “match their budgets”. And this will both enliven the tourism industry and have a positive impact on the national economy. We believe that players of the tourism industry will do their best in that sense.
ftnNEWS will participate EMITT at S&M Publication stand at Hall 2 Stand D203
