‘First International Tourism Forum North Cyprus’ held at Concorde Luxury Resort Bafra

International

On December 12, the “1. International Tourism Forum North Cyprus” drew attention to the Turkish part of the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea with a busy and inspiring program. Visionary and sustainable plans for developing tourism in Northern Cyprus were discussed. The forum and supporting program were hosted by the Concorde Luxury Resort Bafra.

The Concorde Luxury Resort in the North Cyprus holiday resort of Bafra aims to put the pearl of the Mediterranean of North Cyprus at the center of the travel industry's attention and ensure that the Spring Island, with its beautiful beaches and fascinating sights, gets the attention it deserves. With this goal in mind, the luxury hotel organized the “1. International Tourism Forum North Cyprus.”

Along with the Minister of Tourism of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Fikri Ataoğlu, more than 70 representatives and owners of tour operators, travel agencies, tourist associations and the European press took part in the interesting and engaged exchange of views. Concepts, suggestions, and assessments on the topics of "The future of tourism in Northern Cyprus", transport connections to the destination via Turkey and Larnaca Airport, marketing concepts and ways of attracting an even higher number of visitors from Europe were presented and discussed. The travel professionals present also discussed approaches for more sustainability and a diversification of the tourist offer.

As a first move, Hüseyin Baraner, the initiator of the forum, presented the "Travel Agency Now!" campaign. “The online magazines from “Reisebüro Now!” not only for established destinations. Rather, they are also predestined to push up-and-coming target areas," Baraner explained.

During the lectures held on December 12 in front of a packed conference hall, Adviye Bergemann, owner of the luxury travel agency AIDA Tours, emphasized the great opportunities that an almost virgin destination like North Cyprus offers for the development of high-quality and high-priced travel offers. Karoline Schütze, hotel buyer at Fit Reisen, almost took the same tack when she highlighted the good general conditions and the climatic advantages of a southern Mediterranean island for much sought-after wellness trips in autumn and winter.

In a panel discussion on the subject of "Market placement of tourism products in North Cyprus", the PR and media experts Michael Blum, Sven Klawunder and Eike Knall not only explained suitable marketing concepts, but also the high effectiveness of well-coordinated cross-media campaigns, which help firmly anchoring North Cyprus in the minds of potential holidaymakers looking to book a trip.

Finally, travel agency owners of Turkish and Russian descent, such as Osman Benzer, Önder Sancarbarlaz and Irina Hauerhof, declared that they were willing to use all their means to make their customers aware of the attractive holiday offers in North Cyprus, or to expand their successful involvement in this area like Serdar Bayraktar from LMX.

The program was rounded off by a tour of the most important sights in North Cyprus, during which the participants not only got to know the ghost tourist town of Varoşa near Famagusta, but also the Bellapais monastery ruins in Girne and the bazaar district in the Turkish part of the capital Nicosia.

Although the Concorde Luxury Resort, as the host, wanted to remain modestly in the background and only wanted to offer the setting and ambience of the event, it almost against its will played a major role with its wonderful location, the excellent facility, the friendliness and attentiveness of the employees and, above all, with the excellent food. The participants of the event were full of praise and of one mind: With such excellent hotels, North Cyprus is at the forefront in international tourism and will be able to acquire a very good reputation!