Press Release

09 Jun 2014

CATHIC BEGINS WITH STRONG INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION

Now in it’s fourth year, this premier event for the hotel investment community has brought together over 1000 delegates from across the globe since starting, and offers the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the current investment climate within the region while also fostering valuable new business partnerships.

Over the next two days, regional and international investors, operators, developers and government officials will gather to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges in this exciting market; and these discussions will be lead by a speaking faculty of over 70 industry veterans.

As a growing tourism hotspot, Turkey offers a ripe environment full of potential for hotel investors and developers. The nation currently sits at 6th in the world for number of tourism arrivals and the industry includes many sub-segments of tourism from the sun and sand product, to winter sports tourism, golf tourism and health tourism. In Turkey, the number of international visitors has increased by 40% since 2007 and reached 32 million in 2013. This is estimated to climb to 37 million by 2017. 

TURKEY STILL NEEDS 35 5-STAR HOTELS

The first day commenced with a plenary session on “The Future of Tourism Infrastructure in Turkey”. TYD (Tourism Investors Association) Chairman Murat Ersoy said "We identify regions that are strategically important for Turkish investors and we invest in airlines in these regions, we are trying to build a large network by completing our investments in these countries.” Ersoy also noted that Turkey still needs 35 5-star hotels and advised to cooperate with the international chain brands.

Ersoy, noting that the bed capacity in Istanbul needs to be increased, stated that in this case airlines can  increase their operatins more courageously. Ersoy said “In this regard, there must be no reservation. Tourism areas, where tourists can take comfort, need to be created. The biggest problem in metropolitan is safety. Urban transformation should be accelerated, and safe areas should be increased. If safe tourist areas, where tourist can move very comfortably and not disturbed by immigrants, and new tourism areas are opened, we are ready to fly.”

TURKISH AIRLINES PLANS TO FLY TO  SYDNEY WITH THE 3 THIRD AİRPORT

Turkish Airlines Sales and Marketing Vice President Fatih Cigala said: "In the first quarter of 2014, we have achieved a growth of 16 percent. Today we operate in many regions and we fly to every continent except Australia, however it is constantly on our radar. Aircraft infrastructure does not currently allow this. With the 3rd Airport, direct flights to Sydney will take place. In the past 10 years, we achieved an aggressive growth rate and aim to keep double-digit growth figures untill 2023."

50 PERCENT OF INVESTMENTS IS DIRECTED TO ANTALYA AND ISTANBUL

Ministry of Culture and Tourism Undersecretary Özgür Özaslan, who attended the conference, said: "Tourism is a giant industry, which constitutes about 10 percent of the world economy. It has made progress for nearly 60 years. With the arrangements made in Tourism Incentive Law No. 2618 progress has been made and Turkey has become a global player for tourism investments. It plays an important role in the Balance of Payments creating one-fifth of our income from exports. The law issued 30 years ago must be evaluated as it is today. Public' must do his homework and these laws need to be revised. Turkey's incentive law must be arranged as to reach 2023 targets.''

Özaslan continued his speech: “We, as Turkey, have achieved a success story by creating a variety of markets. Successful implementation of the all inclusive system was efficient in the success of coastal tourism. Of course, it also needs to be improved. In terms of the tourism sector, 50 percent of financial investment is directed to Antalya and Istanbul. Investors prefer these areas. We must implement incentive policies according to the types of tourism and regions. Turkey has the 2nd highest efficiency of tourism in the economy after Italy. It is the industry with 2nd highest employment rate. It is an industry with investments in 61 provinces. There is a dynamism in Anatolia. We observe that investment incentive certificates are in increase in these areas. Two new mosaic museum in the provinces next to the Zeugma Museum will be opened. Maybe we create a  mosaic museum destination, which isn’t present in the world. City hotels must be at the quality to serve.”

Patrick Fitzgibbon, Senior Vice President, Development, Europe & Africa, for Hilton Worldwide, said, “Turkey offers considerable opportunities as a hotel growth market, with 43 million visitors expected to travel here this year. As an important forum for our industry, CATHIC brings together leading influencers to discuss key themes and explore emerging investment trends in the region. It’s a pleasure to welcome our partners and peers to Istanbul and host the forum for the first time at the recently opened Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center.”

All discussions are designed to help guide those who are looking to, or are currently investing in the Turkish hotel industry, and strategies for capitalizing on the growth and development of Turkey’s burgeoning tourism industry will be covered at depth.