The heart of the health and tourism sectors beats in İzmir

TTI İzmir and TTI Health Expos Bring Visitors from Around the World to İzmir

The 18th TTI İzmir International Tourism Trade Expo and Congress and the 2nd TTI Health Health Tourism Expo have brought visitors from across the globe to İzmir. Highlighting the significance of these expos in enhancing the city’s tourism potential, İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Dr. Zafer Levent Yıldır stated, “İzmir, with its 56 hospitals, abundant sunshine, geothermal resources, numerous high-quality facilities, healthcare institutions, and a skilled, multilingual workforce, is one of the leading cities in health tourism.”

Hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and organized in partnership with İZFAŞ and TÜRSAB Fuarcılık, with the support of TÜRSAB, the 18th TTI İzmir International Tourism Trade Expo and Congress is held concurrently with the 2nd TTI Health Health Tourism Expo, which brings together leading health tourism companies. The expos, running from December 5 to 7, were inaugurated by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Dr. Zafer Levent Yıldır, CHP Deputy Chairman for Agriculture and Forestry Erhan Adem, Manisa Metropolitan Mayor Ferdi Zeyrek, Antalya Metropolitan Mayor Muhittin Böcek, Düzce Mayor Faruk Özlü, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Fikri Ataoğlu, Minister of Diaspora of Montenegro Mirsad Azemovic, members of parliament, political party representatives, district mayors, international ministers and deputy ministers, industry professionals, and tourism stakeholders.

Yıldır: These Expos are Crucial for the Sector's Renewal

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Mayor Dr. Zafer Levent Yıldır emphasized that the tourism sector must adapt in the face of technological developments and the climate crisis. He said, “Through these expos, we create opportunities for new connections, strengthen existing relationships, boost trade, and foster sectoral renewal. İzmir welcomed approximately 1.6 million tourists in the first ten months of 2024, marking a 3.38% increase compared to the same period last year. In the field of health tourism, Türkiye's hosted nearly 1.2 million visitors in the first three quarters of 2024. With its 56 hospitals, sunshine, geothermal resources, high-quality facilities, healthcare institutions, and a skilled multilingual workforce, İzmir is a leading city in health tourism. I would like to emphasize the importance of the 2nd TTI Health Tourism Expo in unlocking İzmir’s potential in this field.”

Ataoğlu: TRNC Strives to Participate on Every Platform

Fikri Ataoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment of the TRNC, said:
“I extend greetings from the warm people of the TRNC. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to this expo hosted by our beautiful İzmir. As TRNC, we strive to participate and promote our country on every platform.”

Eker: Thank You to All Contributors

Hasan Eker, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of TÜRSAB, stated:
“Expos cannot be organized by a single institution or company alone. I extend my gratitude to all organizations and stakeholders who contributed to the 18th TTI İzmir.”

Özpoyraz: Not an Easy Task

Selami Özpoyraz, President of İzmir Chamber of Commerce Assembly, remarked:
“Organizing a expo and elevating it to an international level is not an easy task. It is meaningful and important for us to gather here for the 18th time.”

"Digitalization in Tourism Hackathon" to be Held

Beyond business meetings and investment opportunities, TTI İzmir will feature numerous events and talks. Sessions titled “Sustainable Destinations and İzmir” and “Hotels and Enterprises in İzmir” will be held, along with the “Digitalization in Tourism Hackathon” organized under the Create in İzmir project, led by İzmir University of Economics, with contributions from İzmir Chamber of Commerce and YABISAK (Software and Informatics Industrialists’ Cluster). This hackathon aims to redefine the future of tourism, integrate technology into the sector, and foster the development of sustainable projects by encouraging participants to create innovative solutions.

90 Industry Professionals from 38 Countries Sponsored by Turkish Airlines

As in previous years, TTI İzmir Expo once again gathers participants and visitors from across Turkey and the world. The expo hosts public institutions, municipalities, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism offices, hotels and accommodation facilities, airlines, tourism transportation services, travel technology companies, and software developers. Professional visitors have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with tourism sector companies and establish business partnerships in a specially designed B2B area. TTI İzmir showcases Turkey’s rich cultural heritage, beaches, history, ancient cities, and natural beauties, along with international participants. Sponsored by Turkish Airlines, 90 sector professionals from 38 countries will attend the expo to engage in B2B meetings.

TTI Health: Bringing Health and Tourism Together

Leading companies in the field of health tourism will meet visitors at the TTI Health Expo, held concurrently with TTI İzmir. The expo aims to meet the growing global need for healthcare services through travel. Health sector professionals and international tourism actors will gather at Fuar İzmir to share the latest industry developments and innovations, while exploring new business opportunities. Exhibitors include hospitals, clinics, health tourism agencies, aesthetic centers, medical equipment suppliers, as well as companies from thermal tourism, SPA and wellness, geriatric tourism, and medical sectors. In collaboration with the İzmir Chamber of Commerce, a buyer delegation program will be organized, featuring professionals from 16 countries including Italy, Russia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Association Congress to Be Held Simultaneously

Simultaneously with the expo, the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Association will organize a congress covering a wide range of topics, from the future of health tourism to advancements in surgical applications.