Cyprus Health Tourism Council President Dr. Ahmet Savaşan participated in the ITB Berlin fair, which is considered the world's largest “travel industry digital meeting” and this year 120 countries took part.

3,513 exhibitors representing destinations, hotel chains, technology companies from 120 countries, as well as 700 international speakers, bringing together approximately 65,700 users online, and this year, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was represented by the Health Tourism Council Dr. Ahmet Savaşan.

Until May 31st, our international contacts will continue...

Dr. Ahmet Savaşan, President of the Council, said: “This year, we, along with the whole world, had a different experience and had the opportunity to promote the touristic opportunities of our country, especially health, both in individual and group meetings and in the congress sessions we attended, and to establish new collaborations.” Stating that the ITB Berlin fair is not over yet, Ahmet Savaşan stated that the online meetings will continue until May 31, 2021 and said, ’Thanks to this service, we will have the opportunity to access tourism professionals that we did not have the opportunity to meet during the fair and develop cooperation.“.

% 62 of worldwide travelers plan to travel again this year...

Pointing out that an optimistic picture for the resumption of tourism emerged at ITB Berlin, Savaşan said, “both the survey published in January by IPK International, which tracks travel volume and travel behavior in the world's main markets, showing that 62 percent of travelers worldwide plan to travel abroad this year; and the survey results published by the Statista institute at ITB Berlin are an important sign that tourism can be hopeful in 2021.’ Savaşan explained that 70 percent of the participants in the Statista survey stated that they are planning to travel in 2021 or are considering planning a trip soon.

“Everything hygiene” instead of “all inclusive” system...

Pointing out that both in the congress sessions and other meetings at ITB Berlin, it was understood that many things will change in tourism in the new post-Covid-19 period, Ahmet Savaşan emphasized that there will be a tendency towards an “all hygiene” system instead of an “all-inclusive” system, which will usher in a new era in tourism. “It seems that tourism will have to change and instead of being a sector with high emissions and small margins, the focus will be on producing high added value with low volume,” Savaşan said.

We signed many new agreements with European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries...
Stating that they have signed many new agreements with European, Asian and Middle Eastern countries in the field of medical services, Savaşan pointed out that Northern Cyprus will be an important center of attraction for tourists over the age of 65 due to its success in protecting the health of tourists as well as its own people. Savaşan emphasized that the agreements made by the Council at ITB are aimed at bringing individuals over the age of 65 to the advanced active living centers to be established in Northern Cyprus and for their medium and long-term accommodation. Savaşan said, “With the new vision that the government will create with the support of our council and all stakeholders, there is an opportunity to bring tourism to a more sustainable, higher value-added point in the new period. This new period offers this important opportunity to our country.”.

Covid-19 will not restrict but change the way people travel...

Savaşan said, “Travel and tourism have liberated humanity, we cannot afford to lose this to the pandemic. The Covid-19 pandemic will not restrict but change people's travel tendencies. Travel for health or healthy tourism and travel will come to the fore. As the TRNC, we will be able to get the necessary share from this.”.