A total of 550 representatives from tourism and commerce sectors of Spain, Croatia, Malta, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece, Tunis, Britain, Germany and China attended Meditour 2006.
During the forum of “Selection of Insurance Company and Health Facility within the perspective of health tourism” subjects including international provision systems, patient and insurance company's hospital selection and standards of health tourism were discussed.
During the first season of MediTour; Mediterranean Cultures and Tourism Summit of Mediterranean Ministers of Tourism, Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mr. Atilla Koç stated that Mediterranean countries should have a common action against terrorism.
Chairman of Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and ICVB, Murat Yalcintas also attended the Meditour. Yalcintas said that several projects like “Tourism Focused Regional Development Project” should be constituted. “We are in a new term in which world sees changes and developments in tourism. World Tourism Organization foresees tourist numbers will reach 1 billion and 1,5 trillion dollars of tourism income is expected in 2010” said Yalcintas. Yalcintas added that by 2020, number of tourists in the world is expected to reach 1.6 billion and 400 million of them will travel to Mediterranean region. Turkey should prepare for any action in order to receive what it deserves.
Yalcintas commented that Mediterranean region has adequate conditions for rapid tourism development and growth. “What we have to do is that, beside these existing conditions we have to create opportunities for new investments and conditions to increase the growth speed. Tourism in the region should be diversified. In order to diversify new projects like “Tourism Focused Regional Development Project” should be constituted. Countries in the region should set, monitor joint policies and form an international alliance.
Suzanna TURKU – Albanian Vice Minister of Tourism, Nedeljko BABIC – Tourism Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zhifa WANG – Chinese Vice President of Tourism Administration, Enver ÖZTÜRK - Minister of Economy and Tourism - Turlish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Gordana TODIC - Undersecretary of Tourism Ministry – Serbia, Tigani HADDAD - Minister of Tourism - Republic of Tunisia, Farouk Al HADIDI - Undersecretary of Tourism and Antiquities of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan were attended the Mediterranean Cultures and Tourism Summit of Mediterranean Ministers of Tourism.
President of Association of German Travel Agencies, Klaus Laepple stated at the second season titled “The Contribution of Tourism in The Development, Peace and Inter Cultural Dialogue of the Mediterranean” that German tourists found everything they are looking for in Turkey and they are sun, sea, beach and good service.
Yannis Evangelou; President of Association of Greek Travel Agencies stated that they have promoted Greece with two distinctive points cheap travel and beautiful sea so that tourists that came to Greece would travel around the country, see our history, see beautiful destinations by visiting Greek islands.
Riza Epikmen Vice President of Association of Turkish Travel Agencies (TURSAB) said at the forum that Turkey would reach 21 million tourist target but we should focus on the tourism income not the number of tourists arrived. If we can organize the national market well, we could get the international economy back on tracks. It is difficult to open a hotel but keep it working is even more difficult said Epikmen.
President of ASCAME Jilani Benm'barek said at the closing season and press conference that countries with the Mediterranean region should closely focus on its economical and historical promotion while new investments and projects are continuing with the region.
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