Promotional tour for Turkish travel agencies in Europe by GEKA

Under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology Development Agencies General Directorate, the Southern Aegean Development Agency, operating in the Southern Aegean Region, organized a promotional tour targeting Turkish travel agencies in Europe from 10 to 16 May 2024 to introduce alternative tourism opportunities in the Southern Aegean Region.

The promotional tour, highlighting the alternative tourism diversity of Aydın, Denizli, and Muğla, was carried out in cooperation with the Southern Aegean Development Agency, Aydın Chamber of Commerce, Denizli Chamber of Commerce, Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies in Germany, COOP TRR.

During the six-day event, 25 representatives from travel agencies in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, affiliated with the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies in Germany, COOP TRR, were introduced to the alternative tourism routes of the Southern Aegean Region. Additionally, B2B meetings were held by bringing together visitor agencies and tourism professionals in the region, contributing to the networking and collaboration between European travel agency officials and tourism professionals in the Southern Aegean. The aim of the event was to add alternative cultural destinations from Aydın-Denizli-Muğla to the tours of new travel agencies.

In the cultural tourism-focused familiarization tour, the Aydın section included visits to AYTO Cultural House, Aydın Archaeology Museum, Aydın’s traditional bazaar and Sevgi Yolu, Tralleis, Priene, Miletos, Aphrodisias Ancient cities, Karacasu, Didim Apollo Temple, İlyas Bey Mosque, Karina Cove, and Doğanbey Village.

In Muğla, a traditional village wedding in Çomakdağ village in Milas was reenacted by the locals for the visitors. The tour also included visits to Stratonikeia Ancient City, İncirlin Cave, Yuvarlakçay in Köyceğiz, Akyaka, Saburhane, Arasta, and Culture Route in the center of Muğla. In Dalyan, during the boat tour, visitors had the opportunity to see the natural wonder of Dalyan Lagoon, İztuzu Beach, and rock tombs.

In the Denizli section of the promotional tour, visitors experienced the thermal tourism opportunities in Denizli and also visited Laodikeia Ancient City and Buldan, which has a different ambiance with its traditional textiles and architecture.

GEKA Secretary General Özgür Akdoğan stated, ‘Our Agency is conducting the ‘New Destinations in Alternative Tourism Result-Oriented Program.’ Within this framework, we carry out activities for the promotion and development of alternative tourism elements in our region. This promotional tour is among these activities. First of all, we would like to thank Aydın and Denizli Chambers of Commerce and Muğla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who cooperated with our Agency in organizing this event. Additionally, it would be beneficial to mention the contributions of the Provincial Directorates of Culture and Tourism. Through the collaboration of our relevant institutions in this activity, we aim to add alternative cultural destinations in our region to the tours of European travel agencies.’