TÜROB's report on the results of the IMTM Tel Aviv Tourism Fair...

The "Fair Results Report" prepared by the Association of Turkish Hoteliers, which participated in the International Mediterranean Tourism Fair held in Tel Aviv, Israel, between 7-8 February 2017 across approximately 6,000 square meters of indoor space, is presented in the attachment.
400,000 tourists expected from Israel

The normalization that has begun in relations between Turkey and Israel has also raised the expectations of tourism professionals regarding this market. Noting that the number of tourists arriving from Israel could reach 400,000 this year, Association of Turkish Hoteliers President Timur Bayındır stated that the two countries could carry out joint promotional campaigns, particularly in the area of faith tourism.

Following the normalization that has begun in relations between Turkey and Israel, the results obtained at the International Mediterranean Tourism Fair (IMTM) held in Tel Aviv have raised expectations regarding the Israeli tourism market. After the fair, which Turkey attended at ministerial level for the first time in 7 years, an acceleration is expected in the number of tourists arriving from Israel. According to the assessment made by the Association of Turkish Hoteliers (TÜROB), the number of tourists arriving from Israel could reach 400,000 this year. Israel was among the rare countries to record growth in tourism last year. While the number of tourists arriving in Turkey fell by 30 percent in 2016, the number of tourists arriving from Israel rose by 30 percent to reach 294,000.

Israeli tourism professionals are also hopeful

TÜROB, under the chairmanship of Timur Bayındır, held intensive contacts at the fair with a delegation comprising Vice Presidents Müberra Eresin and Armin Zerunyan, Secretary General Hediye Güral Gür, and General Manager İsmail Taşdemir. The TÜROB delegation met with Israel Hotel Association President Eli Gönen to assess tourism relations between the two countries. Conveying the message that Turkey is a very important market for them, Israel Hotel Association President Eli Gönen said, "This year we anticipate an increase in the number of tourists traveling from Israel to Turkey. We also look forward to welcoming Turkish tourists to our country."

It will have a doping effect

Following the fair, a results report was prepared by TÜROB. The report stated that the contacts held between the two countries and the revitalized relations would act as a doping boost for the Israeli tourism market. The report, which noted that Israeli tourists primarily prefer Antalya, Alanya, Marmaris, and Bodrum for their holidays, observed that a flight time of just 45 minutes by air is a significant advantage. The report also stated that Israeli tourists who come to our country for the purpose of cultural tourism are most interested in Istanbul, the Eastern Black Sea, and the Cappadocia region.

'We can carry out joint promotion'

Assessing the Israeli tourism market, TÜROB President Timur Bayındır pointed out that the two countries could carry out joint promotional campaigns, particularly in the area of faith tourism and especially in distant destinations. Bayındır said the following: "In the Israeli market, promoting Rize and Batum as a joint destination, as well as Cappadocia, the Eastern Black Sea, Şanlıurfa, and İzmir as destinations, will yield positive results. Resuming ferry services between Israel and Turkey, namely Haifa-Antalya, Mersin, and Alanya, will make a positive contribution to tourism demand. Turkish Airlines having 9 daily and Pegasus having 3 daily round-trip Istanbul-Tel Aviv flights creates a considerable transportation and preference advantage for tourists who will come from Israel to Turkey or who will make connections via Turkey. Taking into account the bilateral meetings held at the fair regarding the Israeli market, we anticipate that the upward trend in the number of Israeli tourists coming to our country will continue in 2017."

Click to Download the Report.