This year's tourism fair "Travel Turkey Izmir" closed its gates on Sunday, 11 December. For the first time Montenegro took part in this event as an exhibitor.
The idea for the participation of Montenegro was launched during the visit of the President of Montenegro, Mr. Filip Vujanovic to Izmir in October. Along with the President Vujanovic the business delegation of the Chamber of Economy of Montenegro visited Izmir. On that occasion the President of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Ekrem Demirtas, offered a free exhibition space for the representation of Montenegro at the Tourism Fair in Izmir. Bearing in mind that next year's country partner to this event will be Montenegro, this idea was received with great satisfaction.
The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro in preparation of this presentation had great support from the Turkish Embassy in Podgorica, and the Embassy of Montenegro in Turkey. Great collegial support came from the Izmir Chamber of Commerce and the Tourist Organization of Bar.
Montenegro and its services at "Travel Turkey Izmir" were presented by the Tourist Organization of Bar, Budva and Ulcinj, Podgorica hotels City & Crna Gora, HTE Ulcinj Riviera Hotel, hotel Mediterranean from Ulcinj and the Tourist Agency Adria DMC from Budva.
The Montenegrin stand hosted Mr. Ramo Bralić the Montenegrin ambassador to Ankara who stayed there and took active part in promoting the Montenegrin offer.
Visitors were most of all interested in the natural beauties of Montenegro. There were a lot of those who have already been to Montenegro and didn’t hide their delight with their staying.
The Tourism Fair in Izmir under the name "Travel Turkey Izmir" was held for the fifth time, in the third largest city in Turkey. The fair took place between 8th and 11th of December, with the participation of over 600 exhibitors from Germany, Austria, Azerbaijan, China, Indonesia, France, Croatia, India, Netherlands, Great Britain, Kosovo, Malaysia, Slovenia, Tunisia, Jordan, Greece, Montenegro, and Turkey. The partner country of this year's fair was the Netherlands, the city of Kütahya is a partner of Turkey, and Greece was the guest of honor.
Development and liberalization of the Turkish economy brought to a rise in living standards in Turkey, which in turn created the increase in the number of tourists who travel abroad. Today, more than 10 million Turks travel abroad. Turks out there spend over $ 4 billion. Favorite destinations include their famous cities in Europe and America. In recent years an interest is growing in Asian destinations in the Pacific. Estimates suggest the further long-term growth of Turkish tourists.
There are more than a million people living in Turkey having originated from Montenegro. Only in the region of Izmir there is 250,000 of them.
Until the introduction of direct flights from Turkey to Montenegro and before Montenegro's participation at the Tourism Fair in Istanbul earlier this year, the Turks generated about 11,000 overnights (data for 2010). This year, as of October, the number of overnights rose to 90,000, with an average staying of 5 days versus 1.8 days last year. Turkey by the number of overnights in Montenegro takes 17 place, but generates the highest growth.
Most visitors from Turkey are now achieved through regional arrangements that include a stay in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia. Great interest at the fair in Izmir was expressed in staying of high-yield tourists, due to saturation with old destinations, looking for something new and luxurious with high quality services.