MeeTurkey Alternative Tourism & MICE Magazine - February 2019

February 2019 Year: 25 No:92

FESTIVALS OF TURKEY

ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) Adventure Turkey Istanbul Music Festival

Water and Moon Festival and Boat Racing 2nd Global Gastro-Economics Summit Global Run 2019 at Barcelona

FROM THE EDITOR Travel for Festivals The festivals have major impact on the development of cultural tourism to the host communities. While the festival organizers are now using the historical and cultural themes to develop the annual events to attract visitors and creating cultural image in the host cities by holding festivals in the community settings, governments also support and promote these events as part of their strategies for economic development, nation building and cultural tourism.

In order to keep the rich Anatolian culture in Turkey alive and thriving, in every province, district and even in some villages there are various traditional festivals and gatherings.

Festivals which represent traditional Turkish culture not only aim to increase the spirit of unity in society, but also to present the cultural wealth of the places where these ceremonies are held. In this issue we present you popular festivals held throughout Turkey.

In this issue, you will also find the latest news from Turkey as well as around the world as well as studies such as how to create successful events. There are many interesting topics wait you at this issue including Asean Tourism Forum Viet Nam 2019, Adveture Turkey Exhibition, Istanbul Music Festival, Water and Moon Festival and Boat Racing in Phnom Penh, Global Gastro-Economics Summit, 2019 Global Run event.

February’2019 Year:25 No:92 PUBLISHER & EDITOR IN CHIEF SUAT TÖRE suattore@smpublication.com PUBLISHING EDITOR Özgür TÖRE ozgur@ftnnews.com EDITORS Ömer KOCAMAN omer@smpublication.com Fusun TÖRE fusun@smpublication.com PUBLIC RELATIONS HALKLA İLİŞKİLER Cahit Akyol cahit@smpublication.com INT. RELATIONS Özge TÖRE ozge@smpublication.com PHOTOS MeeTurkey archive ART DIRECTOR Özgür TÖRE OFFSET PREPARATION S&M Publication FILM & PRINTING Mars Baskı Çözümleri

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IN THIS ISSUE

14

38

Contents

26

40

Newsline Turkey ������������������������������������������������������������6 Inbrief ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Newsline World ���������������������������������������������������������� 14 Cover Story ������������������������������������������������������������������ 26 Meet at Exhibition ����������������������������������������������������� 38 Meet at Adventure ���������������������������������������������������� 40 Meet at Festival ���������������������������������������������������������� 41 Meet at Tradition ������������������������������������������������������� 42 Eat & Meet �������������������������������������������������������������������� 44 Fame & Game �������������������������������������������������������������� 45 Destinations ���������������������������������������������������������������� 46

41 Advertisement Index

42

WOW Istanbul ������������������������������Inside Front Cover Fez Travel �������������������������������������������������������������������������3 IKSV ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21 ibtm Arabia ������������������������������������������������������������������ 23 Charming Cambodia Travel & Tours ������������������� 25 Akut �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 49 Istanbul Modern �������������������������������������������������������� 51 Cambodia Travel Mart ����������������������������� Back Cover

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NEWSLINE TURKEY

Turkey's Tourism Income Increased by 7.1% In the fourth quarter of 2018, Turkey's tourism income increased by 7.1% and reached to US$6 billion 540 million 434 thousand. While 82.6% of this income (excluding GSM roaming and marina service expenditures) was obtained from foreign visitors, 17.4% was obtained from citizens resident abroad, according to the data announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute.

Visitors organise their travel individually or with package tour. While individual expenditures constituted US$5 billion 151 million 469 thousand of the total tourism income, US$1 billion 388 million 965 thousand of tourism income was obtained by package tour expenditures.

Tourism income in 2018 increased by 12.3% and reached to US$29 billion 512 million 926 thousand compared to the previous year. While 81.8% of this income (excluding GSM roaming and marina service expenditures) was obtained from foreign visitors, 18.2% was obtained from citizens resident abroad.

In this year, while individual expenditures constituted US$22 billion 546 million 616 thousand of the total tourism income, US$6 billion 966 million 311 thousand of tourism income was obtained by package tour expenditures.

In this quarter while average expenditure of the foreigners was US$649 per capita, average expenditure of the Turkish citizens resident abroad was US$828 per capita.

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In this year while average expenditure per capita was US$647, the average expenditure of the foreigners was US$617 per capita, average expenditure of the Turkish citizens resident abroad was US$801 per capita.

In this quarter number of departing visitors increased by 17% compared to same quarter of previous year and reached to 9 million 651 thousand 740 persons. While 85.8% of visitors was foreign with 8 million 283 thousand 235 persons, 14.2% of them was Turkish citizens resident abroad with 1 million 368 thousand 505 persons.

In this year, number of departing visitors increased by 18.1% compared to the previous year and reached to 45 million 628 thousand 673. While 85.4% of visitors was foreign with 38 million 951 thousand 902 persons, 14.6% of them was Turkish citizens resident abroad with 6 million 676 thousand 771 persons.

Tourism expenditure which is the expenditure of the Turkish citizens resident in Turkey and visited abroad, decreased by 28.2% compared to same quarter of previous year and declined to US$ 957 million 647 thousand. While US$ 820 million 747 thousand of total expenditures was individual expenditures, US$ 136 million 901 thousand of tourism expenditures was package tour expenditures.

In this year, tourism expenditure decreased by 4.7% compared to previous year and declined to US$ 4 billion 896 million 310 thousand.

While US$ 3 billion 936 million 986 thousand of total expenditures was individual expenditures, US$ 959 million 324 thousand of tourism expenditures was package tour expenditures.

In this quarter number of Turkish citizens visited abroad decreased by 15% compared to same quarter of previous year and declined to 1 million 853 thousand 45. Average expenditure was US$ 517 per capita.

In this year, number of Turkish citizens visited abroad decreased by 5.7% compared to previous year and declined to 8 million 383 thousand 432.

Average expenditure was US$ 584 per capita.

NEWSLINE TURKEY Turkey Expects Record Tourism Growth from Germany in 2019 Turkish tourism industry expects to achieve record growth in tourism numbers from Germany in 2019. In Germany, the early reservation sales and revenue for holidays in Turkey are at a record level.

Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy came together with Norbert Fiebig, President of the German Travel Association (DRV) in Berlin.

Following the meeting, Ersoy said, “Expectations are above average for both the number of tourist arrivals from Germany and tourism revenue in 2019”.

According to data announced by DRV, early booking sales increased by 123 percent and revenue by 140 percent in the two weeks of 2019.

Following the DRV data, Ersoy expressed that Turkey expects a record growth in tourism from Germany. Ersoy said, “Our meeting with Herr Fiebig was quite productive. We discussed topics on tourism cooperation between the two countries as well as on a roadmap to attract more qualified tourists from Germany to Turkey,”.

Istanbul Biennial opens in September 2019 The 16th Istanbul Biennial, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, and sponsored by Koç Holding, will take place from 14 September to 10 November 2019.

The 2019 Istanbul Biennial will be curated by the French art historian, curator, and scholar, Nicolas Bourriaud, and is entitled The Seventh Continent.

One of the most visible effects of this new geological era, characterized by the impact of human activities on the planet is the so-called Seventh Continent. A third of the size of the United States but completely uninhabited, it was discovered in the North Pacific in 1997 by the American oceanographer Charles Moore, a vortex in the sea covering an area of 3.4 million square kilometers contaminated by 7 tons of floating plastic waste.

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Nicolas Bourriaud, one of the co-founders of Palais de Tokyo, Paris, and current director of the Montpellier Contemporain, said: “The 16th Istanbul Biennial will highlight today’s art as an inquiry about global life, a sum of studies about human effects upon the earth. Due to the increasing interconnections between cultures, the development of transportation, the migratory flow, the old centers now shelter a multitude of micro-cultures.

The natural elements drift away together, reduced to particles and waste.”

The Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) has organized the Istanbul Biennial since 1987. The biennial aims to create a meeting point in Istanbul, in the field of visual arts between artists from diverse cultures and the audience. The Istanbul Biennial is one of the most established and respected biennials in the world. Each year a guest curator is appointed by an international advisory board to develop the conceptual framework and select the artists and projects that are invited to participate.

Nicolas Bourriaud, born in 1965, is a curator and writer. He is the director of Montpellier Contemporain (MoCo), an institution he created, gathering the La Panacée art center, the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and the future MoCo Museum, which will be opened in June 2019. He was the director of the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris from 2011 to 2015.

From 2010 to 2011, he headed the studies department at the Ministry of Culture in France. He was Gulbenkian Curator for Contemporary Art at Tate Britain in London from 2007 to 2010 and founder advisor for the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in Kiev. He also founded and co-directed the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, between 1999 and 2006.

The 2019 Istanbul Biennial Advisory Board members are Iwona Blazwick, Director, Whitechapel Gallery, London; Ayşe Erek, Director of Design Research Graduate Programme, Kadir Has University, Istanbul; Yuko Hasegawa, Chief Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo and Agustín Pérez Rubio, independent curator, former Artistic Director of Museo de Art Latinoamericano, Buenos Aires.

Move to Istanbul's New Airport Delayed to April The massive new Istanbul Airport, which was opened in a grand ceremony in October, is set to see another delay to becoming fully operational. The date of transfer from İstanbul Atatürk Airport to İstanbul Airport, which was first announced as December 30-31, then as March 1-3, has been changed again.

According to the latest announcement, the transfer will take place on April February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 9

NEWSLINE TURKEY 5-6 and Atatürk Airport will be closed as of April 7.

The airport, which officials say will be one of the world’s busiest, was declared open in October by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan but only a handful of flights have been operating from the new site since then.

The construction of the 3rd İstanbul Airport officially started on May 4, 2015 and is scheduled to finish in 2023. Its first stage out of six was opened on October 29, 2018.

The airport will be able to handle 90 million passengers a year, and can be expanded to accommodate as many as 200 million, Erdogan said at the opening ceremony.

The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival Begins The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will be held between 2 and 20 March 2019 by Izmir Foundation For Culture Arts and Education with the contribution of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality.

The festival which organized in cooperation with Italian Consulate in Izmir, Istanbul Dimitrie Cantemir Romanian Cultural Center, Institut Francais Turquie Izmir, Honorary Consulate of Switzerland in Izmir, Istanbul Austrian Cultural Office and Goethe Institut Izmir, will start with the opening of the exhibition and the Ferit Odman Quartet concert on Saturday, 2 March 2019 at AASSM. 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival will bring an unforgettable jazz festival to the people of Izmir with a program including nine concerts, a jam session, an exhibition, a seminar, a movie screening and workshops. The 26th Izmir European Jazz Festival tickets are available on Biletix.

Cambodia Expects More Turkish Travelers in 2019 Cambodia expects to attract more Turkish travelers to the Kingdom in 2019. The Asian country has participated in the 23rd East Mediterranean International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2019 (EMITT) held in Istanbul.

Ministry of Tourism under-secretary of state Kuch Panhasa led the 10 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

Cambodian delegation to join EMITT, which was held between January 31 and February 3.

Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) president Thourn Sinan said Turkey is a big country with a big economy. However, relations with Cambodia have been historically minimal, while the country has strong relations with the Kingdom’s neighbors Thailand and Vietnam in all fields. “Every year, many Turkish tourists travel to Thailand and Vietnam, where there is a Turkish community,” he said, adding that ministry leaders’ attendance at the EMITT event will contribute significantly to the future of tourism in Cambodia.

“Cambodia should take more such actions to promote Cambodia’s potential to the international scene.” He added that Turkey does not only offer a high potential for the Cambodian tourism sector, but the country also offers high potential for Cambodian agriculture.

Cambodia is currently preparing to establish an embassy in Ankara, which may open this year. Cambodia Association of Travel Agents' adviser Ho Vandy said relations between Cambodia and Turkey are closer after an official visit by Prime Minister Hun Sen last year. “We have seen that the relationship between the two countries has been steadily improving,” he said.

Cambodia is set to attract more investors from Turkey as the Kingdom aims to triple bilateral trade with the country to more than $500 million by next year. The pledge was made during the prime minister’s visit to Turkey last year to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

During the visit, the countries signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism, investment, agriculture, culture cooperation, education, sports, water resources, and mine clearance.

In expectation that the two countries will launch a direct flight soon, Vandy said: “Participation at the EMITT 2019 event could be said to be a bridge, forming a stronger connection between the two countries and bringing more Turkish and European tourists to Cambodia.”

Ministry of Tourism data shows that in the first 11 months of last year, Cambodia received 6,921 Turkish tourists, down 5.77 percent compared to the same period in 2017, with 7,345 tourists.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul Opens in the heart of Istanbul Radisson Hospitality announced the opening of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul in the heart of Istanbul, Turkey. The hotel offers the perfect combination of business and leisure facilities, and is located in one of Istanbul’s most prestigious emerging residential and commercial areas.

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul offers 193 stylish rooms and suites in a relaxing atmosphere with the choice of city or forest views. The all-day-dining restaurant serves international delights, made with local produce, while in the Vadi Bistro, guests are guaranteed to experience the vibrant pulse of city life in Turkey.

Atakan Altug, General Manager of the Radisson Blu Hotel, Vadistanbul, said: “We’re truly delighted to be able to offer our guests such an ideal combination of business and leisure at our hotel. This is the perfect destination for conferences and events, followed by recreation in our SPA and exciting shopping opportunities next to the hotel. We look forward to creating memorable moments for all our guests.”

The meeting facilities at the hotel include a 1,000sqm ballroom and more than 300sqm of meeting rooms and boardroom space. From small gatherings of two, to large conventions of 900, the hotel is ready to host unforgettable events for both business and private celebrations in the emerging business district of Vadistanbul.

For guests who like to maintain their fitness routines, the hotel offers a fully equipped in-house gym, along with Pilates lessons. The SPA, covering more than 2,330 sqm, offers guests a heated pool, a Turkish bath, a steam bath, a hammam and a sauna – not to mention five treatment rooms offering various massages and treatments. The kids’ club also makes sure to create memorable moments for parents and their young ones.

The hotel is located near to the key business district of Maslak, and is situated opposite the Turk Telecom Arena, one of Istanbul’s major sports stadiums. The hotel also has excellent accessibility through its proximity to the Trans European Motorway (TEM), the highway that connects Europe to Asia – as well as a connection to Seyrantepe metro station via monorail.

The hotel is 20km away from Ataturk International Airport and 30km from Istanbul’s new airport.

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NEWSLINE TURKEY First Radisson Hotel To Open In Bursa Radisson Hospitality AB announced the first Radisson branded hotel in Bursa, Turkey. The agreement with the Turkey-based real estate and construction company IHY Gayrimenkul İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. increases the Radisson Hotel Group’s portfolio in Turkey to 25 hotels and more than 4,600 rooms in operation and under development. The hotel is scheduled to open its doors in Q4 2020.

The Radisson Hotel Bursa will feature 163 guest rooms and suites The hotel will offer an all-day dining restaurant and a specialty restaurant, a lobby lounge bar and a pool bar & grill. Spread over 500sqm, the hotel’s meeting space will include two large conference halls, three meeting rooms, two boardrooms and a business center. The firstclass leisure facilities will include a spa, a gym and a swimming pool.

The Radisson Hotel Bursa will be the first Radisson branded property to open in Turkey. The hotel will be located in Nilufer, the newest district of Bursa. The hotel will have easy access to the Bursa Organized Industrial Zone, which is only 5km away.

Bursa is the fourth largest city in Turkey and is one of the most important Turkish industrial zones.

Bursa is the second European destination in terms of geothermal tourism. Bursa was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire, is now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and benefits from both mountain and seaside locations. Mount Uludag (2,500m), the most famous ski and winter-sport resort in Turkey, is only 36km away.

Inbrief Özlem Gökşin is the hotel manager of Park Hyatt . Ülkay Atmaca elected as President of Professionals Hotel Managers Ass. (POYD)Hotel İstanbul Tourist Guides Ads.(IRO) elected Sedat Bornovalı as President.

Murat Cevherioğlu named Regional Director of Sales Middle East & Africa for Kempinski Hotels.

Funda Saka is now general manager of Hampton by Hilton İzmir Aliağa.

Serkan Özer named Egypt Hurgada Makadi Spa, Red Sea. Hakan Aybek is now general manager of Ramada Cappadocia

by WyndamHotels.

Yiğit Sezgin, has been appointed as Chief Commercial Officer for Accor Hospitality.

Tamara Ayık has been appointed as the business development manager of Selçuklu Congress Center.

Turgut Güzelöz named as general manager of Antalya Birce Tour.

Dr. Cemil Hakan Kılıç is the new general manager for ICVB –Istanbul Congress and Visitors Bureau.

Erhan Şenol has been appointed as the project manager for Jolly M.I.C.E. Orhan Gökçen is the new general manager of Titanic Mardan Palace.

NEWS LINE WORLD TCEB and Chiang Mai Province Partner To Encourage Eco-Friendly MICE and Sustainable Events City Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) joined hands with Chiang Mai Province and educational network partners recently to host a competition to improve sustainable event planning.

Together, partners hosted a design contest under the “Thailand’s MICE Industry Cares for the Environment” project, to stimulate awareness of sustainable MICE event management by showcasing products and services that make events more environmentally friendly.

Mr Puripan Bunnag, TCEB’s President Office Department, said: “TCEB has initiated a policy to promote sustainable event management since 2008.

As a result, Thailand became the first country in Asia to have created a roadmap for green meetings and the concept has been broadly expanding to different countries across the region.

“Since 2012, TCEB’s sustainability strategy has been implementing to drive the country’s MICE industry towards sustainability. Depending on stakeholders in the MICE industry partnering to apply local products and environmentally friendly materials to create eco-friendly events, the action could help to preserve the environment, enhance creativity, support a local economy, create jobs and build sustainable communities.”

To promote the principles of sustainable event management, TCEB initiated ‘Thailand’s MICE Industry Cares for the Environment,’ a contest that encouraged people to design and use local product and environmentally friendly materials in MICE events.

This collaborative project, initiated by TCEB, Chiang Mai Province and local communities, promoted local products to generate income for local communities, as well as preserve the environment and improve knowledge about MICE and event management.

Contestants were required to use eco-friendly supplies and local products as alternatives to materials such as document folders, delegate’s badges, tables, chairs, signposts, as well as catering items including water cups, plastic straws, bottles, and souvenirs.

The competition offered 100,000 baht in total prize money. There were awards for the winner, the 1st runner-up, the 2nd runner-up, and six other consolation prizes. All finalists received certificates and were made eligible to attend a special training course on sustainable event management 14 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

in Chiang Mai. The competition’s grand final was held at Tha Phae Gate, in Chiang Mai city, 30 November 2018. Opened to the public, the event featured presentations from the nine finalist teams.

Competition judges comprised of experts and professional committees from tourism and MICE industries. The award assessment was based on two criteria. Concept and objectives of the project required finalists to demonstrate how well they could deliver the concept, the application of local materials and the resulting benefits on environmental conservation.

Creativity and benefits of the project required finalists to demonstrate innovation and show the practicability of the project, and the advantages to society and local communities.

At the award ceremony, there was an exhibition that showcased stories about TCEB, an introduction of the MICE industry and sustainable event management. To offer entertainment value, the event featured cultural shows and performances from guest artists.

Mr. Puripan added: “This event is also a part of TCEB’s MICE development policy to promote Chiang Mai as a MICE City.”

The overarching policy focuses on the following: Promoting public relations and marketing activities by targeting Asian MICE market on behalf of the city; Upgrading services, improving tourism products and creating opportunities for MICE activities by leveraging cultural capital; Developing human resources to support MICE activities in local areas; Upgrading infrastructures to support MICE activities in Chiang Mai.” “The principle of sustainable event management presents best practices for local communities and generates benefits for the country in the longterm,” said Mr Puripan. “The approach not only encourages community participation, but also creates an opportunity for event organisers to develop relations with local communities and promotes uniqueness for local MICE business.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 15

NEWS LINE WORLD ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter prepares for Harrogate conference The ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter Conference will take place from 26-28 March, 2019 in Harrogate. This year’s conference will feature: leading Irish business coach, mindreader and mentalist, David Meade; ICCA president James Rees reflecting on his first 100 days in office; local Yorkshire conference ambassadors who have successfully brought events to Harrogate and the final of the Chapter’s competition for industry newcomers.

The conference is sponsored by Levy UK and local hosts Harrogate International Centre.

In addition to the packed programme, the conference will include the final of a competition to reward an individual who has worked for less than three years in the industry. The winner will receive flights, accommodation and registration to the 2019 ICCA Congress in Houston by simply submitting a short video outlining what they would gain from the experience. The submission deadline for entries has been extended to Wednesday 6th March and the three finalists’ videos will be shown at the conference.

Highlights of the conference programme include: ¡¡ Elif Balci Fisunoglu, ICCA regional director (Europe) ¡¡ James Rees, ICCA president: “My first 100 days as ICCA President!” ¡¡ David Meade, mindreader and mentalist: “Psychology Insights” ¡¡ Professor Emma Wood, professor of events experience and marketing: “Emotional engagement and lasting impact through shared memory creation” ¡¡ Sharon Canavar, chief executive, Harrogate International Festivals ¡¡ Celena Fernandez, head of environment, Compass Group UK & Ireland: “Changing the Environment with Events” ¡¡ David Meade: “The Real Dividends of Legacy Work” ¡¡ Caroline Mackenzie, Operations Director, Open Audience: Bidding Workshop

ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter president, Diane Waldron comments: “This is our most exciting conference to date. We have a great line up of speakers, Harrogate has put together a diverse programme and the registration numbers are already looking very high. I am once again delighted at the opportunity to reward one of our newest industry recruits and look forward to enjoying the many insightful presentations and learning opportunities.”

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Nairobi To Host The First Ever Africa Protected Areas Congress The first-ever Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) was launched yesterday at Nairobi National Park’s historic Ivory Burning Site.

Kenya’s Principal Secretary - State Department of Tourism and Wildlife, Dr. Margaret Mwakima accompanied by Dr.John Waithaka the Congress Director and Mr. Luther Anukur Regional Director, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), East and Southern Africa presided over the launch.

Dubbed for the love of nature, the APAC 2019 launch sought to position Africa’s protected areas within the goals of economic and community well being as well as seek commitment from African governments to integrate protected areas in the African Union’s agenda 2063 strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the entire continent.

“Today we launch the Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC), the first ever continent-wide gathering of African leaders, citizens, and interest groups to discuss the role of protected areas in conserving nature and promoting sustainable development. This landmark forum organized by the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides us with a platform for holding honest discussions on the future we want for our protected areas and seek solutions to the persistent and emerging problems” said Tourism and Wildlife Principal Secretary, Dr. Margaret Mwakima.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, at the start of the 20th century, there were only a handful of protected areas approximately 200,000 which cover around 14.6% of the world’s land and around 2.8% of the oceans. As the world continues to develop, pressure is intensified on the ecosystems and natural resources thus the need to protect them.

“We need to come to a common understanding that human beings can live with animals and take care of each other to save biodiversity. As a continent, we can offer resilience, adaptability and tackle climate change to protect our biodiversity,” added Dr. Mwakima.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 17

Protected areas safeguard nature and cultural resources, improve livelihoods and drive sustainable development. We must work together to preserve them. The launch steered awareness and visibility of the upcoming conference to be held on 18th to 23rd November this year. The inaugural APAC Journalists’ Award was also launched to provide incentives for African journalists and media houses to be champions of conservation and drive more effort toward reporting on biodiversity in Africa, winners of the inaugural award will be announced, awarded during the November conference, applications are already open for Journalists.

The November congress is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates who will deliberate on homegrown ways to secure a sustainable future for Africa’s protected areas, people and biodiversity while showcasing homegrown examples of practical, innovative, sustainable and replicable solutions that harmonize conservation and sustainable human development.

The collective efforts from the African leaders are expected to contribute to African Union’s Agenda 2063 of “an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in international arena”.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Introduces Arabian Travel Week - An Umbrella Brand Comprising Four Co-Located Shows Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, has announced the launch of Arabian Travel Week – an umbrella brand comprising four co-located shows. Taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 27 April – 1 May 2019, the event will comprise ATM 2019 and ILTM Arabia as well as CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa 2019 – a new route development forum launching this year and ATM Holiday Shopper which is a new consumer-led event.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “The success of both ATM and ILTM Arabia has provided us with the platform to not only introduce two new events for 2019 – but to create a travel week which encompasses the Middle East’s inbound and outbound markets for general leisure tourism and luxury travel as well as providing a dedicated networking forum for the region’s top airline specialists, aviation authorities, tourism boards, airports and tour operators.”

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“Building on these figures, we are confident Arabian Travel Week will be a key driver in bringing top international destinations to the attention of the Middle East’s travel trade and consumers and equally, marketing the Middle East to strategic overseas tour operators and travel professionals,” Curtis said.

ATM, the annual leading global event for the Middle East inbound and outbound travel industry, will showcase over 2,800 products and destinations from around the world to over 28,000 buyers and travel trade visitors. This year’s show will place a spotlight on cutting-edge technology and innovation, integrating the theme across all show verticals, planned activities and seminars.

Taking place on Tuesday 30th April and Wednesday 1st May 2019, CONNECT Middle East, India and Africa will bring together airports, airlines and aviation suppliers in a format that offers formal one-to-one pre-arranged meetings, engaging industry seminars as well as social opportunities to cement relationships with existing clients and engage with new ones.

Also new for 2019, ATM Holiday Shopper will take place for one day only on Saturday 27th April 2019.

The event will showcase over 30 travel and hospitality exhibitors from regional and international destinations who will be offering the very best travel and tourism discounts and deals exclusively for consumers attending the show.

And finally, now in its third year, the International Luxury Travel Market Arabia (ILTM) is an exclusive event for those looking to attract HNW travellers from the Middle East to their destination. Returning on the first two days of ATM, ILTM will allow international luxury suppliers and key luxury buyers to connect via one-to-one pre-scheduled appointments and networking opportunities.

Other highlights taking place over the course of Arabian Travel Week include the UNWTO Ministers Summit which will be held on Sunday 28th April on the Global Stage; the Hotel Industry Summit; The Global Halal Tourism Summit and a dedicated Saudi Arabia Tourism Session.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 19

Dubai Secured 261 successful bids for meetings, conferences and incentives in 2018 Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city’s official convention bureau, secured a total of 261 successful bids for meetings, conferences and incentives in 2018, which are set to attract an additional 153,640 delegates to Dubai over the coming years.

The number of event bids won represents a 24% increase from 2017 and will deliver an estimated economic impact of approximately AED 1.2 billion to the city. This success also marks a 62% increase from the previous year in the number of delegates set to visit Dubai due to event bids won, signifying a shift towards largerscale events and further cementing the Emirate as an attractive global business destination.

Throughout 2018, Dubai submitted 557 business event bids, up from 354 in 2017, and among the wins awarded were those for bids submitted in previous years. 2018 also marked DBE’s 15-year anniversary, and the results are testament to the efforts of stakeholders and partners across the city who worked with the bureau towards the shared aim of growing and developing the city’s business events sector. Key bid wins from 2018 include the World Congress of Gastroenterology set to take place in 2021 with a total of 6,000 delegates in attendance, the Mary Kay China Incentive set to take place in 2019 with 800 delegates in attendance, as well as the World Nut and Dried Fruit Congress, set to take place in 2020, which will bring 1,000 delegates to Dubai. Other notable wins in 2018 include the World Chambers Congress, which will take place in Dubai in 2021 with 1,500 delegates set to attend and the Congress of the Societe International D’Urologie that will bring in 2,000 delegates to Dubai in 2021.

DBE also hosted in-bound study missions in 2018 that were designed to showcase Dubai’s unique offering and world-class business event capabilities. The convention bureau hosted nine international studymissions, bringing in more than 302 hosted buyers and over 15 international trade media from key markets across Southeast Asia, India and Europe.

The itineraries featured immersive experiences that showcased the range of hotels and event venues in the city. Attendees also experienced Dubai’s ever-growing offerings with visits to popular attractions such as Dubai Frame and La Perle. In addition to the international study missions, DBE hosted a total of 26 site inspections for 63 clients and buyers in 2018.

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NEWS LINE WORLD IBTM Arabia Announces Networking Programme for 2019 Event IBTM Arabia, the most established event of its kind in the MENA MICE industry, has announced first details of the networking programme for its 2019 event, which will take place at Jumeirah Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi from 25-27 March.

This year the event’s renowned ‘Discovery Day’ will include a morning of educational sessions followed by an afternoon of cultural activities and sightseeing. Taking place at a choice of either the Emirates Palace and Park Hyatt, or YAS Hotel and YAS Circuit, all attendees will be able to network in a relaxed setting to build relationships ahead of their formal business meetings. This will be followed by a welcome dinner and drinks reception for around 150 Hosted Buyers and exhibitors at the stylish poolside Chill’O Terrace at the Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche.

The event’s much-anticipated White Party gala dinner will return in 2019 at the new location of the 5-star Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, one of Abu Dhabi’s best new venues, with striking modern Arabic architecture and uninterrupted Arabian Gulf views. A spectacular open networking event with mouthwatering food and drink, it will take place on the penultimate evening of the event.

Exhibitors signed up to attend so far include returning exhibitors Galaxia Group; Atlantis Hotels; Georgia Convention Bureau; Matrix Audio Visual & Entertainment; Czech Tourism Authority; Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC; United Nations Conference Centre and Rwanda Convention Bureau, as well as new exhibitors including Cyprus Tourism Organisation; Radisson Hotel Group; Nassima Royal Hotel Dubai; Occidental IMPZ Dubai Conference and Sofitel Abu Dhabi Corniche.

Exhibition Director, Danielle Curtis, commented: “One of the highlights of IBTM Arabia is its strong focus on open networking and cultural events, so we’re delighted to announce this year’s varied networking programme, which allows attendees to forge relationships in a relaxed setting ahead of their formal business meetings. This is a vitally important aspect of doing business anywhere, but one that is especially important in the Middle East.”

“As well as this, the event provides an opportunity for organisations keen to market their brand, destination or services to a highly targeted international buying audience, as well as creating tailored Knowledge Programme content for international event planners keen to learn more about the region.”

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NEWS LINE WORLD How to create successful events?

A research funded by the Education Foundation of the Professional Convention Management Association answers the following question; How to create successful events? This was the core question of the second research phase of the “Future Meeting Space” innovation alliance. The answer, in a nutshell: to satisfy attendees, event planners should focus on knowledge transfer as well as surprising or disruptive elements that bring about a change, plus individually respond to the requirements of different attendee types.

Based on the data from an online survey that was conducted between September 2017 and June 2018, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO that is part of Fraunhofer Society, Europe’s largest application-oriented research organisation, as project manager and the GCB and European Association of Event Centres (EVVC) as lead managers developed attendee types, success factors and recommendations for action.

Socio-demographic facts as well as a range of indices were clustered and resulted in six event attendee types. They represent different degrees of tech-savviness, they differ in their communication behaviour, they are either more or less career-focused and can be found in different levels of their organisation. Depending on the attendee type, age and gender also come into play.

Above all, satisfaction as the “meta” factor is largely influenced by the two other factors knowledge transfer and disruption: attendees are happy with events if they learned something new that they can apply in their everyday work and if events surprised them or triggered changes. Networking, interaction and use of digital technologies are further success factors.

Based on the attendee types and success factors, the research partners developed precise recommendations for action to successfully realize events. These include, for example, dedicated support for more introvert or less tech-savvy attendees as well as tips for creating events that strike a balance between time spent on organization and what is gained from them. The research partners also recommended the use of new and innovative formats and technologies as well as visualisation aids and interactive formats to foster knowledge transfer. One interesting result of the study is the importance of disruptive elements: events that change CVs and organizations create lasting memories.

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COVER STORY

Festivals of Turkey

COVER STORY

T

urkey have many uniquely Turkish festivals, celebrating both timeless traditions and contemporary practices.

Over 100 festivals take place in Turkey each year and at times it is challenging to keep abreast with all the events that are regularly staged around the Mediterranean country.

Turkey delivers more than just a fascinating culture & stunning landscape.

It is basically considered as a home to a various holidays and festivals,

several of which have been disclosed to help the country develop a more modern image. Festivals in Turkey including all kinds – music festivals, sport & outdoors events, nightlife events, cultural festivals, religious festivals & lifestyle events. Apart from local festivals celebrated in almost every city of the country, there are many other significant festivals that are popular internationally and are held in major city centers such as Ankara, Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir.

The capital city of Ankara has many important festivals . One such important festival is the Ankara International Film Festival. This May Turkey’s first women’s festival, supported by international cinema organizations, known as the Ankara Flying Broom International Women’s Film Festival will show 133 movie performances. On the other hand, the Ankara Shopping Fest, Bilkent International Anatolia Music Festival , Ankara Music Festival, Ankara Cartoon Festival and Short Film Festival offer visitors different kinds of entertainment to suit any need.

Many festivals take place in Istanbul, with the emphasis on the classical music is the Istanbul Music Festival were jazz, blues and rock genres offer are on Istanbul Opera Festival and Istanbul Dance Festival,

COVER STORY

International Istanbul Theater Festival in the spring and summer months. Furthermore, attractive for younger generation is the Rock’n Coke Festival and Fanta Youth Festival. For those interested in shopping, in the month of June Istanbul Shopping Festival.

For those following modern art, the İstanbul Biennale is held twice a year. For enthusiasts of independent cinema, in February the Independent Film Festival is held.

Izmir city hosts many festivals every year. İzmir European Jazz Festival, İzmir Alacati International Child and Youth Theaters Festival, Alaçatı Herb Festival, Fly Me Alaçatı Kite Festival, Festival of the Lost Tastes, 30 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

Alaçatı Piano Festival, Alaçatı International Fishing Tournement, İzmir Fair International Folk Dances Festival, Cesme Sea Festivity and International Song Contest (İzmir) are some of Festivals of Izmir city area. PWA Windsurf W, each year in August one leg of the world wind surf cup competitions takes place in Alaçatı.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 31

COVER STORY

Aspendos International Opera and attend the Ballet Festival organized every summer in an antique Roman amphitheater in Mediterranean’s most beautiful city, Antalya. The festival, among a historical ruins, presents visitors with extraordinary opera and ballet performances from the world’s most famous countries. Organized since 1964, Antalya International Portakal Film Festival, is internationally a well respected film festival and is recognized as an important international film competition bestowing Altin Portakal awards for superior film performances.

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Bodrum, throughout the summer has a wide range of festival programs such as Sunsplash Festival, filled with the dance and music, the International Ballet Festival, International Gümüşlük clasik Music Festival. İn Marmaris the choices such as International Short Film Festival, Photography festival and Marine and Spring Festival can be found. If you are planning to spend your holiday in Izmir and its surroundings, from the festival view, a rich variety of various possibilities is yours for the choosing.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 33

COVER STORY

Some important festivals of Turkey Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival: Join the traditioanal Ahirkapi Hidirellez Festival to celebrate the arrival of spring.

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Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival: Learn more about Mevlana's thought, the great Sufic saint, is one of the world's greatest philosopher and the father of the Mevlevi sect. Mevlana Whirling Dervishes Festival, the music, dance, listening and spiritual experience fuse together during the dance of the Dervishes.

Mesir Paste Festival: Connect with people to celebrate the Manisa Mesir Paste Festival, it is so funny to catch on mesir also known as power gum.

Experience the Polonezkoy Cherry Festival to celebrate the culture and tradition of the Polish community living in Istanbul, Turkey.

Oil Wrestling Festival: Do you know what is oil wrestling? To many the idea may sound like a joke, but to the competitors and fans at the 600-year-old Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival, this big tournament at the start of June is the FA Cup final of a sport steeped in history.

Camel Wrestling Festival: Camel Wrestling Festival has certain rules, and is usually held during winter as a winter festival.

Edirne International Kakava Festival: This Roman festival known as Kakava is celebrated by Romani people throughout the Middle East and Turkey.

The Edirne Festival is enjoyed on May 5-6 and sees more than 5,000 people attend.

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 35

COVER STORY

Kadirga Festival: Often regarded as the most famous festival in Turkey, the Kadirga Festival is a stupendous event that showcases some of the most fascinating aspects of Turkish culture. Set a dozen miles from the heart of Tonya township upon the treeless plateaus of the hinterland, the event is celebrated by visitors and the locals of Tonya, Torul, Macka, Gorele, and Eynesil every year in July.

Other festivals; Adana Altın Koza Festivali International Fethiye World Music Festival Alanya International Culture and Art Festival Neon International Psychedelic Music & Art Festival

Konya Nasreddin Hodja Festivities Denizli International Pamukkale Music and Culture Festival Denizli International Amateur Theaters Festival International Eskişehir Festival International Bursa Festival Adıyaman International Commagene Festival Nevşehir International Hacı Bektaş-i Veli Memorial Celebrations Mersin International Music Festival 36 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

Şanlıurfa International Atatürk Dam Water Sports Feast Şanlıurfa International Culture and Art Week Antalya Demre International Noel Baba (St. Nicholas) Memorial Celebrations Turkish Choral Festival Annual Robert College Fine Arts Festival (Istanbul) Cappadocia Music Festival Teknofest Istanbul

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 37

MEET AT EXHIBITION

ATF 14-18 January 2019 38th the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) was successfully held at Ha Long City, Viet Nam, during 14-18 January 2019. 1,500 delegates, including 145 international and local media, convened at the Quang Ninh Exhibition of Planning and Expo Center (QNEPEC) for TRAVEX, while the ASEAN Tourism Conference, ATF 2019 Opening Ceremony, Tourism Ministers Press Conference and ATF 2019 Closing Ceremony were organized at the FLC Ha Long Bay Resort.

ATF opened by H.E. Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Thien, Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Then 10 ASEAN Countries as Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam organized media briefings during TRAVEX days.

ATF also hosted many pre and pos tours as Cruise at the scenic Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Yen Tu Mountain.Next year, at 2020,Brunei Darussalam will be host country of ATF. 38 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 39

MEET AT ADVENTURE Adventure Turkey 14-17 February 2019 As the world tourism industry grows at an annual rate of 4-7%, event and sports focused adventure tourism industry has been expanding its market by around 2030% every year. While this growth helps increase the number and capacity of facilities that place adrenaline and activities at the forefront for their customers, it also encourages the travel agencies and tourism professionals to focus on programs that aim these interests.

ADVENTURE TURKEY brings to its visitors, the facilities and businesses that serve adventure tourism and sports, product and service vendors, clubs, travel agencies, tourism professionals and all other stakeholders of the sector.

Organized alongside the International ATRAX Exhibition, ADVENTURE TURKEY responds to the needs of the adventure & attraction tourism sector as the first international event organized in this area in our country.

In addition to allowing its visitors and exhibitors to follow the latest novelties and developments in the sector, ADVENTURE TURKEY also allows companies in the sector to reach their professional target audience. By focusing on the region, in addition to Turkey, ADVENTURE TURKEY, offers an international platform and brings together countries from Middle East, Europe, Africa and Balkans as well as Turkic Countries.

With the international platform it creates, ADVENTURE TURKEY lays the groundwork for successful collaborations by facilitating communication among its stakeholders at the national and international level.

By allowing the companies of the sector to showcase their projects and equipment that will pioneer the development and transformation of the sector, ADVENTURE TURKEY, gives its exhibitors the opportunity to promote their products and services to the sector’s stakeholders and target audience on the same platform.

This year Adventure Turkey organized at 14-17 February on İstanbul Expo Center – Yeşilköy Atatürk Airport, the complex consisting of 36.000 square meters covered area and 15.000 square meters covered area is the most important fair center of Turkey, with its conference hall, meeting rooms, covered car park and other living spaces.

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MEET AT FESTIVAL

Istanbul Music Festival Programme Announced Istanbul Music Festival programme announced Istanbul Music Festival, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV) under the sponsorship of E.C.A. Presdöküm Sanayii A.Ş., will be held from 11 to 30 June 2019. The festival, which celebrates its 47th edition, presents a programme built around this year’s theme Darkness of Being, Lightness of Being.

OPENING CONCERT 11 June 2019 Tuesday, 19:00 • Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center VOCAL BAROQUE TREASURES: BACH, VIVALDI, HANDEL 12 June 2019 Wednesday, 20:00 • Hagia Eirene Museum “4 MUSKETEERS OF PIANO” 13 June 2019 Thursday, 20:00 • Süreyya Opera House RIAS KAMMERCHOR BERLIN, UFUK & BAHAR DÖRDÜNCÜ 14 June 2019 Friday, 20:00 • Süreyya Opera House WEEKEND CLASSICS – I 15 June 2019 Saturday, 11:00 • Austrian Culture Forum Garden LUXEMBOURG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA & YUJA WANG 15 June 2019 Saturday, 20:00 • Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center MUSIC ROUTE 16 June 2019 Sunday • Samatya CHAMBER MUSIC WITH STARS – I: FAUST & QUEYRAS & MELNIKOV 16 June 2019 Sunday, 20.00 • Iş Sanat Concert Hall TEKFEN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA & DANIEL-MULLER SCHOTT 17 June 2019 Monday, 20:00 • Hagia Eirene Museum CHAMBER MUSIC WITH STARS-II: BEREZOVSKY & KNIAZEV 18 June 2019 Tuesday, 20:00 • Iş Sanat Concert Hall MOSCOW SOLOISTS & YURI BASHMET

20 June 2019 Thursday, 20:00 • Hagia Eirene Museum PIOTR ANDERSZEWSKI “DIABELLI VARIATIONS” 21 June 2019 Friday, 20:00 • Süreyya Opera House SOKOLOV & HAKHNAZARYAN & AVDEEVA BORUSAN ISTANBUL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA 22 June 2019 Saturday, 20:00 • Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center SEYR-Ü SEFA “A MUSICAL EXCURSION” 23 June 2019 Sunday, 18:00 • Grand Bazaar CAMERISTI DELLA SCALA & DANIEL LOZAKOVICH 23 June 2019 Sunday, 20:00 • Hagia Eirene Museum DAVID ORLOWSKY TRIO 24 June 2019 Monday, 21:00 • Rahmi Koç Museum WOMEN STARS OF TOMORROW: YOUNG WOMEN MUSICIANS SUPPORT FUND 25 June 2019 Tuesday, 20:00 • Boğaziçi University Albert Long Hall STARS OF CHAMBER MUSIC: CASALS QUARTET 27 June 2019 Thursday, 20:00 • Neve Shalom Synagogue “HUMAN REQUIEM” 28-29 June 2019 Friday and Saturday, 20:00 • Zorlu PAC Turkcell Stage WEEKEND CLASSICS – II 29 June 2019 Saturday, 11.00 • Galata Tower Square SHANGHAI PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA & FAZIL SAY 30 June 2019 Sunday, 20:00 • Lütfi Kırdar Congress and Exhibition Center

MEET AT TRADITION

Water and Moon Festival and Boat Racing For the people of Cambodia, the Water Festival and Bon Om Touk (The Pirogue Racing Festival) in Phnom Penh is the most magnificent traditional festival. For three days Phnom Penh citizens, foreign tourists and peasants from various provinces gather in the capital to celebrated festival between 21-23 November.

The water festival had background for so long time. The water festival ceremony is the army training to do attest of the army for preparing to do a battle. In the history, Khmer King always does the battle with enemies by sailing. So he prepares this water festival ceremony every year to choose Champion of sailing battle, as in Bayon Temple, Batteay Chhmar in the Preah Bat Jayvarman VII. We had seen a lot of statues about sailing battle under leading of Jayvarman VII. The custom of this is to have from then up to the present.

On the other hand the water is celebrated every years in November to honor the victory of Cambodian Naval forces in the reign of King JayvarmanVII, during Angkor period of the 12th century. And this ceremony is to history about military exercise of our navy force in the course of national defense and to express thanks to the 3 Buddhist symbols Gods and holy thing which helped us and agriculture field and serves as an opportunity to pray for our lord for the happiness and sufficient rain for rice 42 | MeeTurkey | February 2019

cultivation.

Besides the regatta, the water festival also includes three other ceremonies: Illuminated float (Loy Pratip), Moon salutation (Sampeas Preah Khe) and the eating of pestle new special rice with banana or coconut juice (Ork Ambok).

The ceremony last three days to provide opportunity for people to by part in competition that there were to types of boats from near and far of provinces, taking part in the races, the pirogue and the rowing boat. Each boat was manned by about thirty to forty men or women. The boat with a man or a woman dancing softly and gracefully to the rhythm of the drums on the bow as an encouragement to the rowers moved swiftly through the water.

There as the race winners will be rewarded a lot of good such as: drink, money, clothes, rice, cigarettes and the commission of the boat racing day must seek donations in order to provide this prize for participants.

During the nighttime at about seven o'clock the river was lit by jazzy illuminated boats, which floated slowly, and smoothly on the water's surface. Each of them was equipped with thousands of flashy neon lights arranged in different colorful, fancy patterns representing state institutions, ministries and services. After a little time fireworks and multi color were lit to entertain people. Some of people made loud noises. They burst into different shapes and colors in the sky under the clapped and cheered with joy each time at the sight of the fireworks.

Finally the water festival is the festivity for the Cambodian people who celebrated every years and going for a walk during the ceremony days really refreshed our mood. The lively festive atmosphere helped relive our tension and trouble.

EAT & MEET 2nd Global Gastro-Economics Summit TURYİD (Turkish Restaurant & Entertainment Associasion) will be organized the 2nd Global Gastro-Economics Summit on 12 March at Istanbul Lutfi Kırdar Congress Center.

The Summit brought together over 800 participants from domestic and international companies, NGOs, Universities and government officials. In attendance were the Minister of Culture of Turkey, the ViceMinister of Development of Turkey and the Mayor of Istanbul.

Global Gastro-Economics highlighted the growing importance of domestic gastronomy for exports and tourism and gastronomic tradition as an invaluable resource to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation. By leveraging gastronomic heritage, entrepreneurs in developing countries can market new concepts and scale them as viable economic activities. In so doing, the interplay between gastronomy and creativity may contribute to local innovation, and ultimately economic growth and development.

Here is the 2nd Global Gastro-Economics Summit some speakers; UMUT ÖZKANCA- Doğuş Restaurant Entertainmet and Management / CEO of d.ream TIMUR BAYINDIR - TÜROB , Turkish Hotel Ass. President MATIAS CILLONIZ- Executive Chef SİBEL KUTMAN ORAL- Doluca Wines , Board Member EBRU BAYBARA DEMİR DAVID MORA- Director , EMOTOURISMO PAUL ROCKOWER- Executive Director, LEVANTINE PUBLIC DIPLOMACY LEVENT KÖMÜR CAN ORTABAŞ- Urla Wines, Chairman of the Board

In 2003 TURYID joined forces as restaurateurs, investors and managers who has achieved significant breakthroughs in gastronomy and entertainment industry and established TURYID. TURYID is a non-governmental organization and its building up and expansion process continues mainly in İstanbul and in other cities. TURYİD members today has, 187 brands, 1.000 branches in Turkey, 250 branches world wide, Over 60 Million Visitors p/y, 30.000 employees.

TURYID members with their annual turnover of 3 Billion Us Dollar represents 15% of F&B in Turkey. TURYID undertook the pioneering mission in food, beverages and entertainment industries starting from the moment of its establishment.

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FAME & GAME

Global Ports Holding's Global Run at Barcelona The 2019 Global Run event, the Barcelona Half Marathon, recently took place on Feb. 10 with Global Ports Holding (GPH) from Turkey as the main sponsor of the annual event. It brought together more than 19,000 participants from 103 countries to run, according to a press release.

This year’s event marked both the highest ever number of foreign runners (8,323) and countries represented (103). 44% of athletes came from outside Spain, with the most represented countries being France (1,822), the UK (1,334), Italy (785) and Germany (742). Other countries represented from further afield included Costa Rica, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Virgin Islands and even runners hailing from Antarctica.

Eric Kiptanui won the men’s run with a time of 61:04, and the favorite in the women’s category – Ethiopian runner Roza Dereje – won with a time of 01:06:00, beating her personal best by a minute.

The first man and woman to pass the 5km intermediate line were awarded a Pullmantur Cruises vacation by GPH and GPH CEO Emre Sayin presented the awards to eventual winners in conjunction with the Spanish authorities.

DESTINATIONS - ANKARA

Ankara, the capital of Turkey, is located in the center of Anatolia province. With a known history of around 3000, Ankara has seen great heights in the past. Around 3000 years ago, the Hittites established a city by the name of Akuwash (old name for Ankara) at the intersection of two trade routes in Turkey. During its earlier phase, Ankara was ruled by Phrygians, Macedonians (under Alexander the Great), and Romans. Seljuk Turks captured the city in 1071 AD and renamed it as Enguriye.

Most important moment in the history of Ankara came when Atatürk founded his provisional government here in 1920, and in 1923 when it became the capital of Turkish Republic. The city has seen a number of changes since then, however it has been successful enough in maintaining a fine balance between the old and the new and thereby living up to its unique identity as the “Melting Pot of East and West”. Today, Ankara is a sprawling urban mass thoroughly organized and well - planned and much European in look than most of the cities in Turkey. Its wide-open roads, large hotels, restaurants and government offices distinguish the city. Besides, there are several tourist attractions and meetings in the city making it an ideal destination for the tourists and mice industry.

City At a Glance Population: 3,627,098 Traffic Code: 06 Telephone Code: 0312

How to go Ankara’s international Esenboga Airport is well connected to other cities in Europe as well as to important destinations in other parts of the world.

What to do The foundations of this citadel were laid by Galatians to be completed by the Romans. Byzantines and Seljuk made major changes later on. The citadel is located atop a hill in the old city where one can see some fine examples of traditional architecture of Ankara.

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What to see

The Ankara Citadel The Museum of Anatolian Civilization Anıtkabir The Temple of Augusts The Roman Bath The Column of Julian Had Bayram Mosque The Hatti Monument Victory Monument Monument of the Republic Yeni Mosque Kocatepe Mosque

DESTINATIONS - ANTALYA

Visit the picturesque old quarter of Kaleici; narrow, winding streets and old wooden houses around the ancient city walls. Since its founding in the second century B.C., Antalya has been continuously inhabited. The region, bathed in sunshine 300 days of the year, is a paradise of sun-bathing, swimming and sports activities like windsurfing, water skiing, sailing, mountain climbing and hunting. If you come to Antalya in March or April, in the mornings you can ski the slopes and in the afternoons you can swim in the warm waters of the Mediterranean. Important historical sites await your discovery amid a landscape of pine forests, olive and citrus groves, and palm, avocado and banana plantations. The Turquoise Coast is the tourism capital of Turkey. Its full range of accommodations, about 35 000 delegates, sunny climate, variety of excursions and activities, and its warm hospitality make it a soughtafter venue for meetings and conferences. The Antalya Convention Bureau, ACB, is an independent, non-profit making organization. Founded in 1995, the Antalya Promotion Foundation (ATAV) has become a member of the European Federation of Conference Towns (EFCT) in 1997. A Culture, Exhibition and Congress Center was opened in 1996 in the Konyaalti district. The Congress Center is located in a glass pyramid.

City At a Glance Population: 1.132.211 Traffic Code: 07 Telephone Code: 0242

How to go Antalya airport is 10km east of the city center, and has direct flights from Europe. It is well connected to other parts of Turkey, and daily direct flights from Istanbul and Ankara.

What to do With its palm-lined boulevard, internationallyacclaimed marina, and old castle with traditional architecture, all set amidst a modern city, Antalya is a major tourist center in Turkey. In addition to the wide selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops, the city also plays host to a number of sporting

events throughout the year, like International Beach Volleyball, triathlon, golf tournaments, archery, tennis and canoeing competitions. Opened in 1995, the Cultural Center hosts cultural and art events. The main area of interest in the city is central old quarter within the Roman walls, known as Kaleici, and there are many interesting museums around the city. ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

What to see

Archaeological Museum Truncated and fluted minarets Hadrian’s Gate Old Harbour Perge, Side, Aspendos Düden and Kursunlu Waterfalls Antalya Castle

February 2019 | MeeTurkey | 47

DESTINATIONS - ISTANBUL

The former capital of three successive empires -Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman- Istanbul is a fascinating mixture of past and present, old and new, modern and traditional. The museums, churches, palaces, mosques, bazaars, and the sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible. As you recline on the shores of the Bosphorus at sunset contemplating the red evening light reflected in the windows and slender minarets on the opposite shore you understand, suddenly and profoundly, why so many centuries ago settlers chose to build on this remarkable site. In addition to its unique historical and cultural background and innumerable attractions, modern hotels, exclusive restaurants, nightclubs, cabarets, bazaars and shops make Istanbul a superb site for meetings, conferences and conventions. Istanbul is fast becoming one of the most popular international congress and exhibition destinations.

The opening of the Lütfi Kirdar International Conference Center (ICC) doubled the capacity of congress facilities in Istanbul. The ICC is ideally located in the modern district of Harbiye, at the center of the city’s business, cultural and commercial life, surrounded by some of Europe’s top quality hotels. Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB) has all the contacts and information for your meetings in Istanbul.

City At a Glance Population: 14.000.000 Traffic Code: 34 Telephone Code: 0212 (European side) - 0216 (Asian side)

How to go Istanbul city has modern and new international airport, which is well connected by regular flights, with most important destinations in Europe, Middle East, and North America with. Besides, vast networks of flights fly between Istanbul and various other cities of Turkey.

Ataturk International Airport is 20 km from city center.

Helicopter service is also available between the cities.

What to do While in Istanbul there is so much to do and look forward to. The museums, castles, palaces, great mosques, bazaars and sights of natural beauty seem inexhaustible.

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Being a cultural and historical center, exploring the grand heritage of the city should be the top most priority.

Shopping which can be a pleasure in the markets of Istanbul should form another important part of your itinerary. More than anything else a walk down the lanes and by lanes of the many bazaars in Istanbul can be a great experience, if interested in feeling the culture and lifestyles of the people of this amazing land. ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

What to see

Dolmabahçe Palace Küçüksu Pavillion St. Irene Blue Mosque Topkapi Palace Mosaic Museum

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Covered Bazaar St. Sophia Kariye Museum Beylerbeyi Palace Yerebatan Cistern Miniatürk

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DESTINATIONS - IZMIR

Izmir, historically known as Smyrna, is the third most populous city of Turkey and has the country’s largest port after Istanbul. It is located in the Gulf of Izmir, by the Aegean Sea. It is the capital of Izmir Province. Izmir has the inherit of almost 3,500 years of urban past, and possibly up to that much more in terms of advanced human settlement patterns. It is Turkey’s first port for exports and it has free zone, a Turkish-U.S. joint-venture established in 1990, is the leader among the twenty that Turkey counts. Its workforce, and particularly its rising class of young professionals, is concentrated either in the city or in its immediate vicinity (such as in Manisa). Izmir is widely regarded as one of the most liberal Turkish cities in terms of values, ideology, lifestyle, dynamism and gender roles.

The Izmir Convention & Visitors Bureau (Izmir CVB) was founded in 2007 by Izmir Tourism Promotion Foundation (IZTAV), as a non-profit and independent organization. Izmir CVB’s mission is to promote the city’s rich cultural and natural assets .It has great potential on a national and international level and is seeking guidelines and best practice to develop the city’s congress tourism.

City At a Glance Population: 3,627,098 Traffic Code: 35 Telephone Code: 0232

How to go Adnan Menderes Airport, 16km south of the city center, has several daily flights to Istanbul, Ankara and Antalya. There are also regular flights from many European cities.

What to do While in Izmir see the sights, the Archaeological Museum near Konak Square, which houses a superb collection of antiques including the statues of Poseidon, and Demeter that in ancient times stood in the agora.

Neighboring the Archaeological Museum, the collection of the Ethnography Museum contains folkloric artifacts among which are fine collections of Bergama

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and Gördes carpets, traditional costumers and camel bridles. Situated on Atatürk Caddesi (Street) there is an old Izmir house used by the founder of the Turkish Republic, the Atatürk Museum, exhibits photographs of the leader as well as some of his personnel belongings.

The Selcuk Yasar Art Museum is a private museum on Cumhuriyet Boulevard with a collection of 20th century Turkish art. Wander in the bazaar, sip drinks and dine at the pleasant waterfront restaurants. ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡ ¡¡

What to see

Agora Pergamum – Bergama Milet - Dydima Clock Tower Kemeralti Kadifekale

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Asansor Ephesus – Selcuk Virgin Mary Alacati Seferhisar Cesme

FOTOĞRAF SERGİSİ PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION:

YILDIZ MORAN

BİR DAĞ MASALI A MOUNTAIN TALE 24 KASIM NOVEMBER 2018 12 MAYIS MAY 2019

SERGİ SPONSORU EXHIBITION SPONSOR

İSTANBUL MODERN SANAT MÜZESİ ISTANBUL MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Asmalımescit Mah., Meşrutiyet Cad., No: 99 Beyoğlu, İstanbul T +90 (212) 334 7300

www.istanbulmodern.org