Near East Tourism and Travel Enterprises (YDTSI), which operates under the Near East University (NEU), recently participated in the “ELES 2005 Alternative Sports Tourism Fair” held at the Istanbul World Trade Center.
According to the press release issued by the Directorate of Press and Public Relations Office of Near East University, YDTSI Director Ahmet Savaşan, who introduced the opportunities of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the fields of education, nature sports and special interest tourism at the fair, held various meetings with sector professionals in order to present Northern Cyprus, which has an important potential in this field with its geographical structure, as an alternative to this market due to the interest shown in alternative sports in recent years, as a result of new searches in tourism and the increasing importance of water sports.
Explaining the projects for 2005 and 2006, Savaşan said that after the sea, sun and sand tourism has completed its development, the interest in new types of tourism based on natural resources is increasing all over the world: “Being alone with nature is the best way to cope with all the fatigue of the stressful city life of the modern age. In particular, people living in big countries and cities spend their vacations in green and unspoiled natural environments, renewing, relaxing and getting rid of the tiring atmosphere of daily life.”.
Stating that a significant number of travelers in recent years have turned to special interest tourism with a focus on nature and water sports, Savaşan said that they have explained the projects they have developed in this sense to the major tour operators operating in this field in Turkey and invited them to the TRNC, and emphasized that they are working to include Northern Cyprus in the programs of certain tour operators next season.
Ahmet Savaşan, who also serves as the Secretary General of KITSAB, explained that they are working to develop Special Interest Tourism, which is an important potential for Turkish Cypriot Tourism, in the TRNC and emphasized that it is of great importance that the Ministry of Economy and Tourism and the relevant circles cooperate closely and carry out quality written and visual studies that will highlight Special Interest Tourism while creating the “Northern Cyprus” brand.
