Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the economy around the world. For this reason, there are many trade shows dedicated to this industry, in order to discover the latest innovations and identify the changeable people's preferences.
East Mediterranean Tourism and Travel Exhibition (EMITT) it's an international event where we can find all the agents involved in the industry. This year, the 2017 EMITT's edition arrives full of novelties and interesting things to know. We've talked with the organizers to discover you all you need to know!
EMITT is an international platform for tourism and travel, what do you think that stands out from other similar shows?
Firstly I would like to mention that EMITT is one of the top five tourism exhibitions in the world. From its 6th-year EMITT achieved to take place to be among the world's five largest tourism exhibition. EMITT Tourism Exhibition, every year with the increasing number of exhibitors and visitors made a direct contribution to the growth of the regional industry.
It is completing the 21st year, each year showed a growth of 10 percent also our country became the 6th tourism destination with growing as well with this exhibition. Because of Turkey’s geopolitical position and also it is a country of transit and proximity to Europe and Middle East privileges EMITT. As same as our exhibition name Eastern Mediterranean region has “easily accessible” feature and at the same time bring together many different destinations.
The tourism industry it's one of the most powerful in economic terms and the main economic source in a lot of towns. What do you think are the coming trends in the industry?
In my opinion, the most important trend in the tourism sector is variety. Erstwhile tourism and holiday meant sea-sand-sun-hotel and these were the first things that spring to mind. In those days we are going through, if we have a look at both as Turkey and as global we could see that there are many different vacation types like health and beauty, culture, outdoor, winter-ski.
We could say briefly people are looking for alteration and because of that differentness come to the forefront at vacation types. As a trend, culture tourism looks like up front. People prefer to see places that they wonder and challenging also when learning the history of those places.
And on the same line, what can you highlight from the next edition? What is going to be the novelties?
In EMITT, Health Tourism Specialised Section will be our novelty this year. Health Tourism is getting increasingly popular all over the world. Both in Turkey and in the world people now travel more for health reasons and there’s an increasing demand for spa centres and thermal springs. With its touristic facilities in Ankara Kızılcahamam, Bursa İnegöl, Afyon and Denizli Turkey are among the top health tourism destinations. Gathering under a single roof, thousands of holiday destinations in 80 countries, EMITT will be featuring Health Tourism Specialised Section this year.
EMITT Travel Exhibition which will be organised between 26 - 29 January 2017 will be hosting tourism professionals during the first two days and then vacationers on the third and fourth days. Those wishing to get rid of the tiredness of the whole year or get a treatment, will be able to discover and learn in detail about SPAs, thermal springs and touristic facilities offering medical treatments at EMITT, buy package tours at discounted prices and get amazing bargains for their vacations thanks to “early booking campaigns”.
The show attracts exhibitors from many segments of the consumer-goods, can you give some tips for those exhibiting for the first time, not just in EMITT but in Istanbul? (customs, business etiquette, venue rules...)
I would like to say that Istanbul's many attractions include towering minarets, underground Byzantine cisterns and steamy bathhouses. Visitors have lots of choice in Istanbul. For example, places like; Basilica Cistern, Aya Sofya, Topkapi Palace, Aya Sofya Hurrem Sultan Turkish Bath, Blue Mosque, Istanbul Archaeology Museums, Turkish and Islamic Arts Museum, Süleymaniye Mosque, Chora Church, Galata Tower, Maiden’s Tower would be very interesting for visitors. On the other hand, Istanbul has a large number of fine dining and regional food restaurants. Therefore every part of tourism sector like firm, agency, country, visitor etc. have bucked reasons to come to Istanbul.
What represents the trade show for the annual calendar of the industry? (I mean its economic and social repercussion)
We could say that EMITT provides contribute greatly to our country also the region. EMITT which is a very important platform for our country that has a strong acculturation as national or international and its economic contribution cannot be ignored. Hundreds of international exhibitors and thousands of visitors coming from the other parts of our country for EMITT are revising the city’s tourism. Arrivals from abroad also give dynamism to the economy.
Maybe the most important agreements and collaborations of our country’s tourism sector are being done here. Agreements will benefit our economy and it is being signed thanks to EMITT.
Give us some reasons to don't miss the show.
EMITT will offer amazing deals to visitors for their holiday plans in 2017… With early booking discounts and holiday destinations from 80 countries including Turkey, EMITT will be the meeting point for vacation enthusiasts.
The exhibition which will be held between 26 – 29 January 2017 at Tuyap Fair and Congress Center, will be joined by national pavilions, Turkey’s holiday destinations; winter, health and outdoor tourism destinations; hotel and tourism centres, tour operators, travel agencies and hotels. Visitors to the exhibition will get a chance to discover a wide range of amazing vacation destinations at EMITT. The exhibition will also feature a specialised section for Health Tourism.
Those willing to make their summer vacation plans early, outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure, those dreaming a vacation in snow, those wishing to discover new destinations of health tourism, and those that wish to join a tour and learn more about a country of interest to them, will find answers to their questions at EMITT.
Lastly/finally, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
A total of 4.500 companies, organizations and resorts from 70 countries joined EMITT Tourism Exhibition. With such diversity of exhibitors, visitors had the chance to make their vacation plans for 2016 and discover new vacation destinations. 20th East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition – EMITT hosted 56.124 visitors.