TURKEY EXHIBITED AT EIBTM IN BARCELONA AND RECEIVED A VISIT FROM THE KING OF SPAIN

EIBTM, one of the oldest and most important conference and incentive fairs in Europe, had for years been held in Geneva but, as a result of a decision made by the fair's management, will be held in Barcelona for the next five years. More than 2,000 exhibitors from around the world participated at this year's fair, held at the Fira Gran Via 2 exhibition center from November 29th - December 1st.

The Ministry of Tourism gave ICVB the responsibility for coordinating the tourism sector organizations and companies that would participate at the fair, and the Bureau worked in cooperation with the Madrid Culture and Promotion Attache to organize participation at the stand. Prior to the beginning of the fair, ICVB sent out e-mail invitations to the hosted buyers who would be attending the fair. Participants at the fair, in addition to the Madrid Culture and Promotion Attache, the Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Touristic Hoteliers, Operators and Investors Union and Turkish Airlines included: Convention and Exhibition Centers - the CNR Expo Center and the Istanbul Lutfi Kirdar Convention and Exhibition Centre; Hotels - Crown Plaza Istanbul, Eresin Hotels, Gloria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Istanbul, Hyatt Regency Istanbul, Istanbul Princess Hotel, Klassis Resort Hotel, Larespark Hotels, Movenpick Hotel Istanbul, The Ritz-Carlton Istanbul; PCOs and DMCs - 7 Tur, Brezo Tours, Karavan Tourism, Kongresist, Meridian Tours, Pamfilya Tours, Scala, Stimpol and Teamcon.

The fair was officially opened by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos and, following the opening, ICVB Chairman Yilmaz Tecmen invited King Juan Carlos to the Turkey Stand, where he wished all participants the best of luck. Before leaving the Fair, King Juan Carlos visited several stands, including Turkey, Switzerland, Africa and Monaco. During his meeting with Yilmaz Tecmen, King Juan Carlos stressed his and his country's support for Turkey's EU membership and that this support would continue after the December 17th announcement of Turkey's candidacy. The fair was visited by a total of 5,700 hosted buyers whose visits were arranged with the stands prior to the start of the fair, helping to ensure that the fair was a productive one.

As part of the hosted buyer program, visitors to the Turkey Stand were greeted by ICVB and shown the Ministry of Tourism's Meeting & Incentive film, informing them about the conference and meeting opportunities available in Turkey. A special part of the Stand was set aside for the Kurukahveci Mehmet Efendi brand, which throughout the fair served Turkish coffee to visitors who also received evil-eye bracelets and pins. In addition, during the first two days of the fair, Doluca served wines at two receptions held at the Turkey Stand, which were enjoyed by all. Visitors to the stand who left their business cards were entered into drawings for silver and evil-eye ornaments, Discover Turkey books and travel packages held during the receptions. 2005 calendars promoting fair participants and featuring images of Turkey's top conference and incentive destinations were given to all visitors to the stand and, on the last day of the fair, were distributed to all fair participants.