February 2000
POST-EXHIBITION PRESS RELEASE
The second edition of EMITT 2000, the leading international travel & tourism exhibition for the East Mediterranean region, was once again a resounding success.
EMITT took place from 17th -20th February in Istanbul and was opened by the Turkish Tourism Minister Ercan Mumcu, where he emphasised that "tourism was not just about the economy, but facilitated social communication between societies and countries as well". Over 200 top officials attended EMITT including Dimitris Avramapoulos - The Mayor of Athens, Ali Mufit Gurtuna - The Mayor of Istanbul and Dawid de Villiers - Deputy Secretary General, World Tourism Organisation. This was followed by a symbolic event which took place on Friday 18th February, when the mayors of Athens and Istanbul signed an agreement for tourism co-operation between their two countries.
EMITT welcomed 640 companies from 42 different countries and official post-exhibition statistics registered a total of 52,685 visitors of which 13,230 were trade visitors and 39,455 public visitors. All proceeds gained from EMITT 2000 visitor entrance were donated to help the earthquake victim appeal fund.
Exhibitor feedback was very encouraging, with the following remarks made:
"This fair has produced extremely positive results for the tourism traffic between the two countries and for this reason we will be back next year." Dr. Safwat El Hossiny, Egyptian Tourist Authority.
"We attended this fair last year and find it to be more well organised this year. Our aim is to introduce our country to travel agencies and tour operators and so provide for the marketing of package tours." J.S. Chilhan, Indian Tourist Office.
"We left last years fair highly pleased. Thanks to contacts made at EMITT, we saw a 32% increase in tourists coming from Turkey to Hong Kong." Kevin Welch, Hong Kong Travel Association.
"We see this exhibition as a very effective means to strengthening tourism traffic between our two countries. It is a way to meet with many travel agencies and find new partners." Dan Gaman, Romanian National Tourist Office.
The Hosted Buyers Programme welcomed a total of 152 international travel trade buyers. Delegates on the programme benefited from 75% discounted flights with Turkish Airlines, complimentary hotel accommodation, complimentary transfers and complimentary participation in the conference. As well as the Hosted Buyers Programme, the "International Hosted Press programme" welcomed 23 Editors from leading world-wide publications.
Other features at EMITT 2000 included the organisation of a high profile international conference. Organised by Meetings World (1969) Associates, the conference debated the promotion of travel and tourism to, within and from the East Mediterranean region. The conference was held on-site during the exhibition for 2 hours on the first three days and registered 410 attendees.
Exhibitor questionnaires revealed that 96% of exhibitors at EMITT 2000 were successful in meeting their sales and marketing objectives; 91% of exhibitors rated the event as very successful for establishing new business contacts and 88% of exhibitors rated the quality of visitors as excellent.
Director of ITE Travel Exhibitions David Hammond stated: "After a difficult year for Turkey, we are delighted with the success of EMITT 2000. Our exhibitors are delighted with the results of their participation and EMITT has clearly established itself as the leading event for the region. Our thanks goes out to all of our partners and sponsors for their valuable support: In particular our official partners: Turkish Ministry of Tourism, Turkish Airlines, TURSAB (Association of Turkish Travel Agencies), TUROB (Turkish Hotel Association) and TYD (Turkish Tourism Investors Association)."
EMITT has recently been accepted as an associate member of ETTFA (European Tourism Trade Fairs Association), and is currently awaiting the results of the post-exhibition audit in order to be granted full membership.
Preparations for EMITT 2001 are already underway with the dates set for 22nd - 25th February 2001.
For further information please contact:
Mandy Zakhour, Marketing Manager, ITE Travel Exhibitions
ITE Group Plc, 105 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6RG. UK.
Tel: +44 (0)207 596 5000
Fax:+44 (0)207 596 5111
E-mail: [email protected]