Istanbul CVB commits to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Istanbul CVB commits to the UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau (ICVB), has pledged to observe the principles of the
UNWTO Global Code of Ethics for Tourism in Antalya, Turkey on 29 September 2015.

Istanbul CVB joins the growing number of tourism companies and associations to sign a Private Sector Commitment to the UN World Tourism Organization Code of Ethics, pledging to promote and implement the values of responsible and sustainable tourism development as championed by the Code. Mr. Taleb D. Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General and Mr. Bahadır Yaşık, Vice President of Istanbul CVB signed together during the meeting in Antalya on 29 October.
“We, as ICVB, are proud that we have signed the code of ethics. We strongly believe that the tourism and meeting industries plays a very significant role in improving a sustainable future and the signature of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism represents a strong and necessary commitment. We also believe that the Code is the basis for sustainability in tourism and meeting industries and on behalf of ICVB, I would like to thank the UNWTO for giving this opportunity”, said Mr. Bahadır Yaşık, Vice President of ICVB.
The Code is UNWTO’s core policy document and represents a guide for the development of sustainable tourism. Adopted in 1999 by the UNWTO General Assembly and endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2001, it is designed to guide the development of tourism in a way that maximizes the socio-economic benefits of the sector, while minimizing any negative impacts.
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Istanbul Named Best Meeting Destination by Kongres Magazine

Istanbul Named Best Meeting Destination by Kongres Magazine

LONDON (January 2015) – Istanbul has won the Meeting Star Award 2014, being named Best Meeting Destination by Kongres Magazine after it visited and evaluated no less than 45 destinations. 

Istanbul was judged to be the Best Meeting Destination as part of the Meeting Star Award 2014 after 45 destinations were compared taking into account natural and cultural factors, general and transport infrastructure as well as tourist infrastructure.

The Meetings Star Award 2014 was presented to Istanbul at a gala reception at Slovenia Convention Bureau’s Conventa 2015 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, on 21 January, with Istanbul Convention & Visitors Bureau – ICVB’ s Vice President Bahadir Yasik and General Manager Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz in attendance.

Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz, General Manager of ICVB, says: “We are thrilled that Istanbul has been selected as the best meeting destination – a city of both historical and natural beauties dating at least 8500 years. As a historical meeting point between East and West and spanning two continents, today’s Istanbul is a Top 10 Meeting & Congress destination offering unique and exciting venues. The city has the capacity to host every type of event, from bespoke incentives to meetings for up to 30,000 for corporate and leisure visitors alike. Combined with Istanbul’s historic venues, palaces, cisterns and the like, it offers meeting planners a variety of remarkable options to create truly outstanding events.”

Easily accessible from around the world, Istanbul is served by nearly 300 international airlines at its two airports. Turkish Airlines, named ‘Best Airline Europe’ by Skytrax for four years running, has a network of more than 260 direct flights and flies to more countries than any other airline in the world. With an almost 94,000-bed capacity, accommodation in the city offers a selection across the spectrum. 

Istanbul was ranked 8^th in the world by the International Congress and Convention Association in its 2013 Rankings for Cities and Countries and 1^st for large congresses of 300-500 guests.